Welcome to New Wine Food Photography! I'm René Tate, a photographer with nearly 20 years of experience, expanding my focus from event and portrait photography to my new passion: food photography. Inspired by Hillsong’s song "New Wine," this next chapter reflects a personal journey of transformation—in the crushing, in the pressing, new wine is being made in me. After years of balancing family life and rediscovering my creativity, food photography has reignited my passion. In the soil I now surrender, He is breaking new ground. I’m excited to bring fresh, vibrant perspectives to food photography, capturing its beauty and story in a way that feels like the perfect new wine being created. 'Cause where there is new wine, there is new power. Thank you for joining me on this exciting journey!
René is a seasoned event and portrait photographer whose 18-year career evolved over time, eventually leading her to capture destination weddings in some of the world’s most stunning locations, including Italy, Iceland, Australia, and across the United States. Known for her calm demeanor, René excels at making her clients feel at ease, whether she's photographing intimate moments or busy events. Her forward-thinking, efficient personality ensures that everything stays on track while maintaining a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere throughout the shoot.
Working in a vineyard and winery in Northern California's Portola Valley, ignited her passion for food and wine, leading to big dreams of pursuing winemaking school, running a tasting room, and even owning a winery/wedding venue someday. As the great-granddaughter of Italian immigrants, René’s love for Italian food runs deep—her favorite dishes are always simple, with fresh lemon juice and zest, and a focus on minimal ingredients. You can often find her with a glass of red wine in hand, appreciating life's simplest pleasures. Now, she channels her passion into her new venture, New Wine Food Photography, where she brings her eye for detail and love for storytelling into every shot.
Food has the incredible ability to connect people, to spark memories, and to create moments of joy. My goal is to showcase that magic by focusing on the details, textures, and natural beauty of each dish. Through a blend of natural light, or artificial light that feels natural, thoughtful composition, and simple styling, I aim to create images that not only highlight the food, wine, or cocktails but also evoke the warmth and sense of togetherness that comes with sharing a meal.
I deeply value people and the relationships I build with my clients. Everyone has a story to tell, and I’m blessed to be a part of your journey and passion. Above all, my work is grounded in my faith in Jesus, and I approach everything I do with a heart of service, gratitude, and integrity.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
[ return to galleries ]
[ return to galleries ]
[ return to gallery nav ]
[ return to gallery nav ]
I’m so glad you're here! On my investment page, you’ll find details about my food photography packages, though one size doesn’t fit all—each project is unique, and we’ll tailor everything to your needs. Check out client reviews to hear about their experiences, and if you have any questions, my FAQ page is here to help. Let’s create something beautiful together!
One size doesn't fit all. Especially in food photography. Let's talk about your project and specific needs. Maybe you just need a couple recipes! I'll send over a custom quote.
Eight hours of photography starting at $1200
On-location
All high resolution digital files included for perpetual use
Retouching on your favorites
Ideal for more than 15 recipes with styling included.
Four hours of photography starting at $700
On-location
All high resolution digital files included for perpetual use
Retouching on your favorites
Ideal for 10-20 recipes, styling included.
Working with René on the Coyote Table photo shoot was a fantastic experience. Her thoughtful planning, attention to detail, and constant communication set her apart as a true professional. René helped craft a complete shot list, styled our food beautifully, and brought the perfect props and custom backgrounds to make the shoot a success. Her expertise and commitment to the project were evident in every aspect, from capturing the essence of our menu items to making sure each photo reflected our brand. The photos exceeded our expectations and have inspired our team to further elevate our dishes. I highly recommend New Wine for anyone looking to showcase their restaurant with stunning, professional photos.
When I first encountered René's work in this new space, I genuinely thought I was viewing images from a five-star restaurant, crafted by a renowned New York photographer. René's incredible eye for detail, vibrant colors, and impeccable styling elevate every dish into a work of art. Her passion and creativity truly shine through. René's photography doesn’t just capture food—it tells compelling stories, evokes emotion, and invites you into an experience. I highly recommend René to anyone seeking photos that goes beyond mere visual. Her work is a stunning testament to her immense talent and dedication. I'm genuinely excited to see the incredible work she continues to produce in food photography—it's simply phenomenal!
Each projects begins with an interview to help understand and better capture and tell the story of your brand. Also included is one hour of travel to your location, setup and teardown time, various backgrounds, as well as editing and retouching. You will receive a secured online gallery where you can download the high-resolution digital files. Depending on your brand and vision, some props may be included; however, additional props may need to be sourced.
Food styling can be a collaborative effort. It could be the chef, a dedicated food stylist, or myself. While I’m not a professional food stylist, I take pride in working closely with you to bring your brand to life. I’m happy to use props that are unique to your restaurant, and I can also source additional props as needed based on our creative consultation. Ultimately, we’ll work together to style the dishes to your desired look.
Turnaround time is typically 7 days from the shoot. However, if you need the images sooner, next-day delivery is available for an additional fee.
Currently, I don’t shoot tethered, but I am more than happy to collaborate throughout the shoot by providing previews on the back of the camera and offering progress checks. Tethering is something I plan to incorporate into my workflow in the near future.
Absolutely. As time allows—whether between dishes or after the main recipes are photographed—I’m happy to capture additional "icing on the cake" details. I aim to go above and beyond for my clients, so things like your beer taps, close-ups of menus, unique signage, chef headshots, specialty decor, and wine bottles can all be quickly captured if no additional styling is need. However, if there is a specific shot you want prioritized, let's factor that into our timeline and shot list.
Not necessarily. The duration of the shoot depends on the number of recipes or dishes you'd like captured. We can discuss your specific needs, but generally, I recommend a minimum of 3 hours for most projects. Every shoot is unique—whether you're looking for styled photos on a background, shots of your tables and bar, lifestyle images of models enjoying food, or beverages being served. Let’s have a conversation to determine the best approach for your project.
All work I do is copyrighted and I own the rights to them. No manipulation or editing is allowed after the digital files are delivered. You may download the high resolution digital files and use them on your social media, your website, or magazines as needed.
Thank you!
I will be in touch with you shortly!
There's no ask too small and no project too big—let's chat and see how we can bring your brand and vision to life. If you don't see exactly what you're looking for featured here, don't hesitate to reach out. Let's collaborate on something amazing!