Desert Botanical Garden: Dustin + Mercedes

The Arizonian sun is so gorgeous when it streams through the mesquite trees at the Desert Botanical Garden.

Heat and chemistry were met in a room of sweat, weights and the surroundings of community….in other words, crossfit. Free Range Crossfit hosts regular social events to foster community. Things started to really hit it off for Dustin and Mercedes at the Free Range Crossfit anniversary event in 2014. The two hold their own versions of how their relationship started.

Dustin’s version: Mercedes flirted with me and I flirted with her.
Mercedes’ version: I didn’t flirt with him and I didn’t know he was flirting with me.

The two enjoyed a relaxing afternoon strolling the Desert Botanical Garden for couple portraits.

I am so thankful for summer fashion….flopping hats!

Mercedes is so talented! Not only is she a professional makeup artist but she paints gold (washable) tattoos. She brings the fashion in Egyptian art into the 21st century!

Dustin loves Mercedes’ goofiness. Dustin will smile right before he laughs at her telling a joke…and he laughs at a lot of her jokes.

While I was capturing this photo of Dustin I look over and see….Mercedes looking so adorable. We were prepared for Arizona rain or shine.

Mercedes gets a contagious smile just looking at Dustin.

For the entire couple session I talked about the grasslands at the Desert Botanical Garden. We were all relieved when we found the hidden grassland treasure. Thank you Dustin and Mercedes for being such great sports. In their free time the two enjoy laying on the grass underneath the open blue skies and taking selfies. The two enjoy relaxing in one another’s company and discussing what they enjoy doing and where they hope to travel.

The Desert Botanical Garden has the perfect stage for a performance. Mercedes loves Ballroom and Latin dancing and the two are planning on taking lessons together.

Cheers to Arizona summer fun and Dustin and Mercedes’s relationship. Thank you both for inviting me to document a piece of your love story.