Airplane Engagement Session in Lockhart, TX

When Mitchell and Joelle first envisioned their airplane engagement session, they imagined returning to the Lockhart Municipal Airport—where Mitchell first fell in love with flying as a teenager. It’s where he clocked hours learning to soar, chasing his dream of becoming a pilot. And it’s where he took Joelle on her first flight. (If that doesn’t scream Notebook-level romance, I don’t know what does.).

When their original plane was unexpectedly down for maintenance, a close friend offered up his private hangar just down the road. And just like that, the most beautifully unplanned location turned into the perfect backdrop for a hangar engagement session.

Why This Private Hangar Was the Perfect Setting for an Aviation-Inspired Engagement Session

When you think of love stories, you don’t always imagine them unfolding against the backdrop of a small-town airport and a historic livestock barn—but for Mitchell and Joelle, their love is quite literally written in the sky and stitched into the land they call home.

But it doesn’t stop there. Just beyond the runway is the Lockhart Livestock Auction Barn—a building that once belonged to Joelle’s grandfather and just so happens to be the very place her parents first met. Talk about full-circle moments.

From Ranch Roots to Runways: The Love Story Behind This Hangar Engagement Session

Joelle and Mitchell were introduced in 2016 thanks to a longtime family friend and a shared connection to ranching and agriculture. She was finishing up at Texas A&M, and he was working for LC Wright Land and Cattle in Bastrop. Though they grew up just 20 minutes apart, their paths never crossed until the timing was right. Since then, their story has been a beautiful dance of long-distance love, resilience, and unwavering support.

The Proposal: An Airport Moment

Their engagement? Let’s just say cue the tears. On what would have been Joelle’s grandmother’s 85th birthday, Mitchell proposed at the Castroville Municipal Airport. The ring? A reimagined piece of her grandmother’s jewelry—so not only was she there in spirit, but a part of her will be carried into the next chapter. (And yes, all the parents were waiting with BBQ to celebrate—because in true Texas fashion, you don’t mark a milestone without brisket.)

What Makes Their Relationship So Special

Joelle lights up when she talks about Mitchell’s patience, his old-soul steadiness, the way he’s supported her through dental school and residency. In her words, “He always makes me feel safe.” And isn’t that what we’re all looking for? A love that feels like home, even when you’re thousands of feet in the air.

These two are playful, joyful, and completely themselves together. Whether they’re fishing at the coast, cooking up something delicious in the kitchen, or reminiscing about their shared childhood memories (like unknowingly taking swim lessons from the same teacher!), there’s this ease between them that’s undeniable.

Photographing them here—at the intersection of their past and their future, felt sacred. Because this wasn’t just about pretty photos. It was about honoring where they came from, how they found each other, and where they’re headed next.

Mitchell and Joelle, thank you for inviting me into such a meaningful chapter of your story. The skies are wide open for you two, and I can’t see where the future takes you.