Mary + Nate | Desert Engagement Photos

An Arizona Desert Farewell

What a bittersweet day! This is a special one for us on multiple fronts and we feel so honored when the people in front of our cameras are also people we LOVE!

A little backstory from Melissa… Mary has been a family friend of ours for YEARS. She is one of my sister’s best friends and in high school, Mary would walk to our house in the morning and I would drive us all to school. Our parents still live in the same neighborhood where we all grew up and our Mom’s still hang out on occasion! 😉 There is already so much love for this family, so the day that Mary announced, not only was she ENGAGED (!!) but she also wanted US to capture it all….I literally screeched out loud! 🥳😭

The first time we met Nate it was so clear how perfect they are together. His calm and kind demeanor is enough to make anyone feel like you’ve known him for years! You have high expectations when you have basically watched someone grow up, and Nate exceeds all of those expectations. They recently shared some exciting news that Nate accepted a job in California and they are moving!! Although we were so sad to see them go, we are even more excited for this new adventure they are heading on together! (Don’t worry, they are coming back & getting married here in Arizona! 🌵😉)

When we started talking about locations for their engagement photos, they told us they wanted to be reminded of the years they spent in Arizona. Even though California is their next chapter, the desert will always be home. We decided to start our day at Desert Botanical Garden and finished by adding a little nostalgia with Papapo Park. It was so great to wander the grounds and getting to ‘hang out’ with them before they head off! It couldn’t have been more perfectly timed because they move this week! *tears*

Mary & Nate, we are so excited and proud of you both for so many different reasons! We can’t wait to see where life takes you and what memories you make in California. We’ll see you in February! 😉

xoxo,

Stephen & Melissa