“I told the stars about you,” – d.j.
I spent Halloween shooting an engagement session for Taylor and Mary Banks. Hunter and I met them for their session at the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge. If you’ve never been to Noxubee, it’s outside of Starkville and it’s one of my favorite places to take couples to!
They looked fantastic for their session, with Taylor wearing a green dress shirt and khakis and Mary Banks wearing a black and white striped dress, fit for any bride to be.
We had such a great time hanging out with them and hearing about their love story. Hunter and Taylor are friends, so it felt like we all had known each other for years. We got to explore Noxubee and its natural beauty, from the fields to the lakes, everything was so pretty during golden hour.
Taylor and Mary Banks met at Mississippi State through RUF, the Presbyterian ministry on MSU’s campus. They began dating in the summer of 2019 and neither one of them has been the same since.
On September 13, Taylor proposed to Mary Banks surrounded by their family and close friends. She said yes, of course. They’ll tie the knot next year.
For Taylor, he says Mary Banks’ best feature is her hair. He knew she was the one not by a single moment, but in a collection of moments in the fall of 2019.
For Mary Banks, it’s Taylor’s eyes that get to her. She knew he was the one when she realized how he treated her. It wasn’t one single action, but a multitude of actions. Flowers and a note after a hard week, him being a shoulder to cry, putting her before himself. That’s how she knew.
My favorite part of their session was the tender love I could see they have for each other. Anyone could see the pure adoration they have for each other. The way he spun her, the way she laughed, and the way they leaned into each other was absolutely beautiful to me.
Taylor, MB, I’m so honored that I could shoot your engagement session. You guys were so fun, and I enjoyed myself immensely. I pray that your love lasts through this lifetime and the next.
Watch for deer,
Gracie
![](https://graciecloud.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14555/2020/11/TaylorMB-62-scaled.jpg)