Photographers do it every year.

They go through hundreds of thousands of images from the year and try to narrow it down to the top 10 or the top 20 or even top 40 for those real indecisive photogs.  I can’t remember ever really doing it.  I sort of knew my faves in the back of my mind, but I never singled them out on the blog.  Don’t get me wrong,  I wanted to.  Oh, how I wanted to.  But do you realize how incredible difficult that is?

Besides, what do we know?  If it were up to me and Jesie, we’d probably pick only the best images, technically speaking, that also happened to give US warm, fuzzy feelings.

But it’s not about us.  In the slightest.  Sure, we follow our bliss, we shoot what moves us, and we shoot it our way.  But it’s YOU and your moments that moves us.

So, why don’t you pick?  Why don’t we have our couples select our Best Of images from 2011?

Many thanks to The Youngrens in San Diego for this terrific idea.

So here it is…  not in my words, but in your words.  These are your moments.  There were a few cases when the images you selected as favorites were, hands down, my favorites too.  But in most cases, never in a million years would I have guessed that image was a superlative.

Thank you for taking time out of your days to give back.  You helped us more than you know.

Today we focus on engagements only.  And yes, there are a few shoots completed in late 2010 – those couples are featured because A.) they were married in 2011 and B.) we didn’t do this last year. ;-)

Here we go…

Malerie & Chris’ Pumpkin Patch Engagement Experience
“First of all, you should know that this was much harder than I anticipated. Choosing just a handful of pictures from these two very special days is nearly impossible! It has been a while since I have gone through our engagement photos, and I am finding myself getting teary with happiness. You captured that period of our life so perfectly; everything was beginning. We were so overjoyed with the journey ahead, dizzy with all of the blessings that were just beginning to pour out. I don’t know how you did it, René, but you caught it.” — Malerie

“This one may not seem like the obvious choice. But we look at each other like this ALL the time! When we’re at home watching TV, when we’re walking through the streets holding hands, or when we’re on a fancy date. We just look at each other and smile– thrilled that we are together, just bursting with childish happiness. It is a look that says we’re thankful, that we trust each other, and that this is forever.” 

“This image is special in so many ways. It captures our playfulness and mutual sense of adventure; it embodies us running away together into the sunset, quite literally; it is in one of our favorite places that we visit year after year; it shows the freedom that we feel with each other. Plus…hello buttery, beautiful lighting!”

“I think this image speaks for itself! It is just…US! You captured what we are like when it is just us. Innocent, sweet, and full of love.” 

Lauren & Justin’s Seattle Engagement Experience
“René, thank you for this opportunity to share with you our favorite moments in your photography! You are truly a blessing and a wonderful friend! And the BEST PHOTOGRAPHER!! ;)” — Lauren

“This one is a favorite because it is a reflection of our love and passion for each other. It is such a beautiful picture, and it shows how when we are together, there is only us. And, it is just a breathtaking view of Seattle at its finest…this will always bring back amazing memories from our engagement shoot there.”

“This picture means a lot to me because it is where my parents were married.  Colorado College is also where Justin’s parents and my parents met, joined church together, and solidified this lifelong friendship…with this past, Justin and I are now married :)  The scene in this picture is also foreshadowing our soon-to-be wedding of our own.”

Kristi & Scott’s Spokane Engagement Experience
“So I thought long and hard about this ‘assignment’ and choosing engagement and wedding images that were my favorite. Gosh, it’s hard to narrow down my favorites, as they were all perfect in their own way. First off, I just want to say thank you again…before I even got married, got engaged, knew Scott, etc, I told myself that when the day came that I got married, I wanted it to be a celebration of the next chapter in life with friends and family gathered all around. Looking back at the wedding pictures, Facebook comments, guestbook and wedding cards, I realized that we are surrounded by the absolute best people in the world. You and Jesie captured Scott and I are in our most comfortable state…surrounded by people that make us who we are. In all the candid shots of guests at our wedding, EVERYONE is smiling or laughing…did you realize that? Does that happen all the time when you’re snapping those pictures? There was a lot of love in that church and on that rooftop on August 6, 2011.”  —  Kristi

” I love this picture because it is in the heart of Spokane, Washington. Our city. Where our love begins and where it will stay. Also, we are wearing the jerseys of our former high school, where we first got to know each other, and now it is the high school where my husband is employed. Also, this picture captured something that I’m not sure would have been made apparent otherwise. You see, sometimes when Scott isn’t looking at me, or if he’s talking to someone else, or just charming people (as always) I give him this look. I don’t mean to look at him this way…like I know a funny joke or have something up my sleeve…it just is what it is. Scott really is my better half, my best friend, and the love of my life. I think this picture is a representation of all that I feel for him…and it’s told by my expression.”

Hannah & Austin’s Cañon City Engagement Experience 
We choose Rene Tate Photography because of the style the pictures were taken!! They are more than just pictures, they are your most special moment captured forever!! The little things are always the most important things to me at times, especially on my wedding day!! Those special things were captured!!! The expressions on our guests faces are priceless and most of all the moments we dont see when we are involved doing other things are so important and things we look forward to seeing when we look at our photos!! Jesie and Rene were so wonderful and such great people to work with!! They take the time to get to know you and learn what your about and what you expect before any photos are taken!! That was so nice!! Austin and I are not usually very affectionate around people at all and Rene made us feel very comfortable and not nervous at all!! We would recomment Rene Tate Photography to any couple that are in search of a wedding photographer!! Plus we have so many pictures to look at and cherish forever!! Thanks again Rene and Jesie for making our day so extremely special and for being such wonderful friends to Austin and I!! We love you both!!!  —  Hannah

“This picture strikes everything of how Austin and I are!!! I always smile and he is always talking!! But I totally love it because at this very moment when we were taking pictures he was so worried that the owner of the house was gonna come home or outside and bust us taking our pictures so he was so mervous and I couldnt help but smile and laugh at him when he was having a bit of a melt down, which he usually do not ever do.. its very rare actually, Austin is always so laid back and easy going! Which is one thing I love so much about him!!”

Alanna & Alex’s Country Farm Engagement Experience

“While there’s a lot of change that comes with getting married, all these images with the grain bins are a tribute and throwback to Lana’s country-girl life.  That’s the environment she was raised in and it sticks with her no matter what she does… No matter how far away from the family farm she may get, she still sticks close to her roots.”   —  Alex

“I’ve got this one up on our wall.  Just seeing her hands intertwined and her hanging on to me… It echos a lot of things for us: Lana is very much a touchy-feeling girl, and she’ll talk until the cows come home about how independent she is, but she loves nothing more than just being close. This is one image that just kind of makes me smile.”

Tally & Matt’s Dairy Farm Engagement Experience
“The dairy farm was perfect. A brilliant idea from a brilliant lady! Thank you, René.”  — Tally

“This is one of our favorite engagement photo!  A dairy farm is usually not on top of a couple’s favorite list of photo shoot locations, but it was the ideal spot for us.  We felt so comfortable, and we were able to relax and be ourselves.  We loved the cows, the tall grass, bales of hay, the silo and of course the John Deere tractor!  Walking down a dirt road with the sun setting was perfect.  But this particular photo is like none other, a one-of-a-kind.  We chose this photo because it’s us, plain and simple, enjoying each other and I even remember the exact words Matt whispered in my ear as you captured that moment on film.  This photo is memorable, not only to us, but to all our loved ones with whom we shared it.”

Emily and Ryan’s Colorado Springs Engagement Experience

“I love that we are laughing and how my hair is blowing in the wind a bit.  It reminds me how of cold it was!!

“It’s a fun picture with both of us smiling – I also love the black and white in this photo.”

“You captured the perfect moment of when Ryan whispered a joke into my ear. He looks so loving and I just love everything about this picture.”

Baylee & Jordan’s Little Raven Engagement Experience

Alicia & Scott’s Ft. Collins Engagement Experience
“You guys just blow us away. I would love to say ‘you guys have it, keep doing what you’re doing’ …. but I am so captivated of your drive to continue to be better, to keep pushing that finish line out farther to excel at what you do, to prove to people why they chose you. I think you ladies are amazing.”  — Alicia

“I love that Scott picked this location … he did such a good job with it and the ones at this location are my favorite photos. I love the colors, I love the rusty tank, and I love the shoes kicked off and laying in the dirt.”

Karen & Steve’s Steamboat Springs Engagement Experience
“I am not sure if you realize, but I think you asked the impossible!!  I cannot choose just 2-5, but I’ve tried.”  — Karen

“This is the picture that we want to order enlarged from you with your signature on it.  Neither one of us knows for sure why we like it.  I think because it is SOOO different than the pictures that we can/do take of ourselves.  To me it has a very…  I don’t know what word I want to describe it – classy, regal, it has a timeless feel to it.  I see a lot of really cool pictures of horses, cowboys, barns, etc that I always love and think to myself – I want that picture, but I want it of my horse, cowboy, barn, etc.  And that is what this is to me.  It’s a picture that I would see of another couple and think to myself, I want that shot of us.  And that’s exactly what it is!!”

“Rowdy kissing his mommy.  Rowdy was my boy LONG before Steve came into the picture.”

“A good family shot in the middle of a dirt road.”

“I love our feet stepping in sync – it’s kind of represents our relationship being in sync.”

Teen & Nathan’s Vintage Travel-Themed Engagement Experience
My favorite photos include those that show us smiling and exemplify our personalities. I really like the photos that show both of our faces and I feel that the glimpses of direct eye contact take the photos to a level of connection with the viewer.  — Teen

“Because it shows so much emotion and the expressions on our faces speaks volumes.”

“The straight-on eye contact and depth of field make this one of my favorite photos of myself.”

“The humorous element of this photo shows our personalities.”

“I love the scenery with us as an element.”

Stephanie & Phill’s Manitou Springs Engagement Experience by Jesie

“I love the whole series of Phill and I in that door jam.  It was just the two of us and we were so calm.  It was in that moment I realized taking engagement photos wasn’t so scary after all.  It just felt like there was no one else in the world but Phill and I.”

“I just love this picture… the clouds are so pretty.  There was a storm moving in and we had almost finished our engagement session before it started lightening and raining like crazy.”

Elise & Jon’s Chatfield Reservoir Engagement Experience

“This one was one of our favorites because it displays our romantic side, which we rarely show in public places! I love the photo because Jon looks like I am the only thing on his mind, and from far away, my mouth looks partially open, however, when you zoom in, I am smiling. I love that.  :-) It is cute and sexy, and completely Jon and Elise. I love that we have a photo [that shows] to what we hold as our most private displays of affection.  ;-)”

Ashton & Mike’s Winery Engagement Experience
“We just love them all, especially the image of our hands at my back and us on the barrel.  They all showed us and who we actually are everyday. ” — Ashton

“Love that this shows his cute little dimple.”

Jenny & James’ Washington D.C. Engagement Experience

“We’re both veering off the path in this photo, which makes it a completely accurate portrayal of our awkwardness. It’s a familiar, worn-in awkwardness that makes us work as a couple. Most importantly, it’s our awkwardness; we live in it together, and even if it puts us off-pace with the rest of the world, we’re always in sync with each other.” — Jenny

“I think touching heads is one of the most intimate gestures a couple can make. Think about it: The head is the first part of ourselves we protect. We wear helmets, hats, earmuffs, sunglasses… All to shield ourselves from harm. In this picture, our guards are down, and we’re trusting each other with the most vulnerable parts of ourselves — our minds.”  —  Jenny

“This moment is 100% authentic, not to mention typical of our days on the DC Metro. I’m clearly cracking up at something James has said, and he looks totally satisfied with my reaction. If our relationship were a mechanism, this picture is a glimpse of the cogs.”  — Jenny

“We’re holding each other up. That’s what we do.”  —  Jenny

“The only thing I’d add to all of what Jenny said is that the Dupont Circle sun photos are divine, and I’d vouch for them being in the ‘best of” compilation just because of how colorful, radiant, playful, and even blissful they are. If the pictures that Jenny spoke about ARE us, then the Pictage shots from 232 on up comprise a cooler, sunnier, classier version of us.”  — James 

Lacey & Stew’s Meuller State Park Engagement Experience

“We really liked this one… the affection that was captured in this image… we just loved this!  We both so loved this even tho neither one of us are looking.”  —  Lacey

“I think in this one we just felt like we were being ourselves.  He kisses my forehead a lot, and he of course liked this cause of the Bronco, but again it’s just us so us.” 

“We picked this one for our Save the Dates because this image is exactly what we like to do.  We liked that it was outside and the mountain is in the background and it’s just so candid.  I also like that he’s leading in the picture.” 

“This is our all time favorite one.  We both looked at the picture and Stew said, ‘That’s exactly how I feel when I look at you.  I can’t believe she captured that.  I can’t believe that’s how I look in the picture, becuase that’s how I feel.’  It’s just so us. It really captured how we both feel about each other.  It’s just amazing that that was captured in a picture.”

Wow.

Pretty neat, huh?  Tomorrow I’ll be posting our couples’ favorite wedding images – you don’t want to miss this.  My heart was so full and my skin was covered with goosebumps as the comments rolled in.  Our brides and grooms are so romantic and emotional and eloquent.  I feel like every bride is our ideal bride.  We are so blessed.  Come ready to read tomorrow – it’s going to be awesome.

So much love and joy to you,
René