Book: Branko Bernardić
Croatia

Thank you for the quick and professional delivery of the books.

I knew the book would be good, so I decided to buy four copies (three as gifts), and I don’t regret it. 😊

Besides the book being of high quality on its own, it has an additional personal note for me because I was born and raised in Žumberak (the central part, village Oštrc, church/parish of St. Mary Magdalene).
Like you, I also dream of hills and landscapes at night, but you are an artist who saw them in advance, while I return to the past.

It’s beautiful when a foreigner sees the beauty in something ours, while we take it for granted.
We are a province, so the opinion of outsiders often matters more to us than it should—but in this case, it’s hard not to agree with you. 😊

I’m not very skilled at expressing myself, but I want you to know that your work has an impact on those who hold it in their hands.

I’ve even thought about printing some of the pictures in a wall format for my home, but I’ll reach out separately about that.

Book: Thomas Spande
USA

These are enchanting photographs by Rene Pronk in a volume significant enough to place a less discovered country within the focus of many people and open their eyes so that they can learn about, love, and discover more about the beauty and meaning of a special place in the artist’s life. As photographs, every aspect of composition and the use of complementary colors is masterfully used in perfect balance and harmony. Numerous horizons shift mysteriously beneath cloud cover and mist to evoke the multiple possibilities of cubism. This is high art as cultural document too, the lovely towns and towers of a rolling land as well as the elder people of Rene’s Croatia are seen in their daily lives within their handsome and beautifully illuminated surroundings. Fairy tale beauty abounds in “Croatia In My Heart” and this constitutes a great document of a beautiful land.

Book: Monika Bracika
Croatia

I received a truly special, beautiful gift for Christmas – a book with amazing photographs by Rene Pronk.
A book that is not only seen with the eyes, but also with the heart.
It is a collection of beautiful images created over many years, with a lot of patience, peace and love for nature. Since Rene lived with his family in the area of ​​the Žumberak Nature Park, the book also contains many enchanting scenes from our Žumberak. Looking at these photos, I was left breathless more than once.

Each image is unique – special, carefully selected, carefully captured in that short, almost invisible moment that most people never experience. I sincerely believe that no camera has ever recorded so many diverse and magical scenes of Croatia in fog. Fog that rises, disappears, changes the landscape – and lasts only a few minutes.

This is a book about water, about Croatia, about moments that we do not see every day – like the lifting of the fog at 4 in the morning, when nature shows itself in its most intimate form for a few minutes. You have to know how to wait for such scenes. You have to be patient. Rene has been doing this for years – and this is the result.
Dear Rene, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
This book is a gift, an inspiration and a silent lesson in seeing the world. 

Book: Ruza Jones
Canada

Thank you so much we received the BEAUTIFUL book and calendar today. WOW! I look forward during these Winter days to moments pouring through both the amazing photography and text. Thank you as well for the lovely handwritten note on the postcard and uplifting magnet. I do hope we might stop by the gallery to see your works and say hello while we are there. I love how you capture the beauty of Croatia, especially the rural areas, which we love most. I am descended from peasants, I’m proud of it, though it is by no merit of my own doing but blessed luck, and every memory of sod-roofed houses tugs at my soul and the substance of my humanity in remembering who I come from with gratitude for the abundance we have now.

Book: Branka Mavretic
Slovenia

I was really excited to look all the great pictures and explanations you gave in. Some of the pictures are really amazing and also in my heart. Thank you for sharing this book with me. It means a lot to me and connects me with my childhood.

Book: Manuela Dubravčić
Croatia

Today I was leafing through your book at my mom’s and I cried, and it was hard for me to keep going… I was very touched by the stories about the grandmothers in the village and their humble lives….
A beautiful and generous book with imaginative, lived-in photos that touch the soul, you really did it!  

Book: Fons de Loos
Netherlands

What you’ve written so beautifully in your foreword makes me imagine the way you compose and compose the words. Of course, I haven’t read the entire book yet. I find the photos truly beautiful, for example, that old barn in the nature park with the little path that curves around it. It exudes a sense of serene rust, and that little church of St. Anne where you used the light on your phone—that little light makes the whole photo a success. I’m grateful to have met people in my life like you, René. People from whom I sometimes learn to see things differently and gain a better understanding of the great divide between characters and stories. There’s a light in every crack. You find something beautiful in every person. Thank you, René.

Book: Serhii Nesterchuk
Ukraine

I want to thank you once again for the wonderful gift for me. I am reading the book with great enthusiasm. It inspires creativity and motivates me to learn English. Yesterday I read your introduction. It was very well described, I love such accents on psychology, emotional state and inner experiences of the author in the process of photography and photo trips. The photos are incredibly beautiful and perfectly show these hidden natural pearls of Croatia. I look at them with great pleasure. On paper, they probably look even better than on the monitor. This is an incredible work! I realised that if I dream of someday writing my own book about Ukraine, then your book is a reference example of how it should look and what to strive for. Although I am not yet sure whether I will be able to write such a high-quality book. Very nice and high-quality work. 

Book: Paul Bradbury
Croatia / UK 

There aren’t many Dutchmen I would drive through the fog to Duga Resa for on a Friday night but René Pronk is one. One of the most positive long-term immigrants in this country, his humanitarian work and unique photography have been incredible. As was his book launch, attended by the Dutch ambassador, country prefect, several mayors and a sizable crowd of locals who have taken their favourite Dutchman into their hearts. It was an honour to say a few words. Congratulations on the book, a collection of 250 truly stunning photos.

Book: Gruda Spicer
Croatia

 I was glued to your fascinating book until 2:30! I was expecting beautiful photos, and then I was amazed by the accompanying text. I couldn’t tear myself away from the book until the last photo and sentence. I’ve never been so surprised by anyone. Beautiful photos, but the text…!!!!! I kept wondering in what language you wrote it. This is poetry and philosophy in one; if someone translated it, they really did a great job. But I felt you, in every single sentence, your personal address, without a translator, although I know very well that Croatian is still a problem for you. Anyway, my sincerest congratulations. I enjoyed it immensely, and I’m very proud of you. I’m starting the promotion tomorrow, at least among those of my friends who I know will appreciate you very much….

Book: Angelica Garcia
Mexico

This book feels like an invitation into René’s inner world and into the quiet soul of Croatia itself. Knowing René, it feels deeply true to who he is — his patience, sensitivity, and love for this land breathe through every image. René doesn’t just photograph places; he listens to them. These photographs are not about spectacle, but about presence, stillness, and care. You don’t simply see Croatia here — you feel it. 

Book: Ivica Dubravčić 
Croatia

  I see you are very passionate about what you do and I respect that. I read your book and it’s just… It’s just so mental and vivid and colourful, and above all, I can see part of you in these pictures. You are obviously a wonderful person.

Book: Robin Hillebrand
Netherlands

 I see many things in your work from our conversations. I’ve already had a preview and know that the book is truly yours.

I appreciated the greater focus on the photos (as opposed to numerous written chapters) compared to your first book.

Croatia is a beautiful model if you always want to see human references in the landscape. You can always find a shed or a house everywhere. A rewarding model, too.

I like how you describe your view of Croatia, its pros and cons. You present a clear and honest assessment. Positivity prevails, but you’re not shy about presenting a critique, out of love for the country. You’ve undergone a clear development. The colours of your photos seem to have evolved over the years. From landscape photos without a human frame of reference and waterfalls, I increasingly see, in recent dates, sketches of community identity. The placement of a commune within the landscape. I find that wonderful to see.

Book: Marina Huss 
Croatia

I want to tell you that I am delighted with your book! It touched my heart.

I saw it for the first time when I was visiting my brother Zvonimir and it enchanted me. The texts you write are beautiful and the photographs, with their beauty, frames, light, and waiting for the opportunity to catch the best moment, additionally show and confirm your love for nature and people in my homeland, Croatia. There are quite a few monographs and photographs of Croatia, but your book is special because you are not Croatian and you recognized the beauty that we Croatians often forget and think is taken for granted. And you are also a top photographer! Great!

 

Tour:  Jaqueline v.d. Hout 
Netherlands
  We enjoyed a great day in the beautiful landscape of Slovenia. The lovely villages and beautiful views. René showed us the most photo genic spots and knew a lot about the history and the environment. Rene guides you to these beautiful places and also gives you a bit of privacy to absorb everything and to enjoy the surroundings in peace and quiet.
We can heartily recommend a day out with René !!  

Tour: Peter and Helen Newman 
Australia
  On reflection of our time with René and his photo tours – We were initially drawn to photo tours as a wonderful way to see the country and experience its beauty beyond other tours.  Photo tours from our experience offer a unique way to do this with time to experience the locations and people, while also allowing time to capture images.
If you want someone that loves Croatia and has an eye for its character and beauty then I recommend René.  He optimised the time to allow us to get the most from our time in Slovenia and Croatia from not just his tours but beyond with his helpful tips.  René has so many “gems” to see and share that amazed us no matter the weather or style he adapted to amaze us time and time again. His English is great and he was easy to talk to and seemed to be able to pre-empt what we wanted – highly recommended and would jump at the opportunity for further tours with him.  

Tour: Rudi and Emalda van Hese 
Belgium
We were on holiday in Croatia last summer. Thanks to the trips with René, we have seen the best
of springs and the highest waterfalls. Nature is beautiful, and René is an excellent guide. We have been able to admire fauna and flora that we had never discovered ourselves. The trip to the elderly people was also a unique experience; on the one hand, it was very emotional, yet you went home with a warm feeling. The people were so happy with the visit, the chat and the food package. We were warmly received everywhere we came with a glass of water, and especially the homemade snaps were so special. This trip is definitely recommended.
We thank René for the beautiful trips and will certainly return.  

Tour: Elizabeth Doll 
USA

My private photo tour with René was very well thought out; I truly would not have known about or gone to most of these locations alone, so it was a great way to see a less busy area of Croatia. René offered photo tips but also shared the history and culture of the region, which added to the experience. It was a great tour, and I would definitely book more in the future!  

Tour: Paul and Debby Fletcher
Australia

It was my privilege to participate in several photo tours organised by Rene in the beautiful areas around northern Croatia.

I (accompanied by my wife) did a combination of three tours over a period of 5 days and could have done more. Rene is such a good host, freely giving of his time, photo expertise and knowledge of the area. Nothing was too much trouble for Rene; he adapted the days according to my requests and the weather.

I did the Great Waterfalls, Lovely Lika, Ancient Roads and a selection of river sources. They were long days, but Rene is a great company and seems to know everybody, which gets you to places you wouldn’t normally go. These tours were definitely the highlight of my Croatian holiday, and whilst I enjoyed the variety of waterfalls and landscapes, meeting the people and characters on Ancient Roads is something I will never forget.

Rene’s studio is a must visit when you go, it showcases his work and promotes the region perfectly.

I highly recommend photo tours with Rene, and I will be back at some stage to experience more.  

Tour: Wayne Wiegand / Mark Huey
USA

In early November 2024, my husband and I spent three days with the Dutch photographer René Pronk, who showed us some of the many jewels of the Croatian countryside west and south of Zagreb and, across the nearby border, the southeastern Slovenian region of Bela Krajina. Guided by René’s love for this landscape of rolling fields and vineyards, forest-covered rocky hills, springs, streams, rivers and waterfalls, we learned so much about his adopted country. We saw so many places of beauty that are usually unseen by the tens of thousands of visitors who cross Croatia to crowd that country’s sunny coast. 

We hope to visit the Croatian countryside again and to spend more time with René. As he says, “Everything waits to be noticed.” Under his gentle guidance, we did notice – not “everything,” but so much unexpected beauty that, more than once, it took our breath away.