it's safe to go back in the water

I was a little worried that after many strenuous laps through the reading pool I would be turned away from books for a while--so we planned an evening out to include catching a flick! With group of friends, I went to Friday Night Jazz at Eagle Point last week and after coffee and dessert there, we went to see Jamie Foxx in The Soloist.

The movie was great and I expected nothing less from the actor who took lessons from Ray Charles before "becoming" Ray for his last major music movie. For The Soloist, Foxx had several cello instructors, and his work was, again, authentic. But it was a preview to the movie that sparks this post.

A preview came on the screen for My Sister's Keeper, a film starring Cameron Diaz and Abigail Breslin and based off a novel by one of my new favorite authors (thanks to Kari), Jodi Picoult. Wanting to read the "real" story before seeing the movie, I bought the book right away and dove in, taking advantage of the beautiful sunny days this weekend. Before I realized it, I was a couple chapters in and didn't want to stop--and then I suddenly realized...I still enjoy getting lost in a good book!

Enter the dynamic photography duo Matt and Kate Altmix.

Amazing Atlanta photographers (and recently hired to shoot Lauren's wedding in July), these two recently blogged about needing reading suggestions...so I was all over that! They're so great, they even gave me some iTunes money for diggin' the comment I left on their blog! Can't wait to meet them this summer:)

From stalking the Altmix Photography blog for a little while now, this couple now officially serves as my "sun-spiration." Their love for, and use of, natural sunlight in their photos is wonderful and inspiring.

I've been holding off blogging about my own photography, but as I slowly step into this world, I can't help but get excited about it! Since I was inspired by a movie preview this weekend, I thought I would give everyone a photo preview of what I've been up to. Word around the street is a photography Web site is in the works!

The two photos above and below are of sweet Bethany and her fiance, Kenny. Bethany helps me retain sanity while working on articles for the mag or the paper and besides being a great writer/editor herself, she has become an awesome friend--so I was ecstatic to shoot their engagement photos (and even more excited to shoot their wedding in October!).

I'm loving that they said they were open and adventurous and didn't blink an eye when I asked them to tromp through the woods and climb up on this rock-Bethany in skirt and all! Thanks for such a fun afternoon!