Love on the Ramp: An Airport Photo Shoot That Captures the Spirit of General Aviation

An airport photo shoot becomes a story about community, connection, and aviation.

At most airports, the ramp is a place of motion and noise.

Fuel trucks rumble past. Propellers tick as they cool. Line technicians move quickly between aircraft, preparing them for their next flight. It is a place built for efficiency, where aircraft arrive, refuel, and depart again within minutes.

But for one evening last summer at Youngstown–Warren Regional Airport (YNG), a small airport and Air Reserve Station in northeastern Ohio, the pace slowed down.

Instead of marshaling wands and dragging fuel hoses, there was a camera. Instead of a departing aircraft, there were engagement portraits. And instead of the usual rush of ramp activity, the airport community gathered for something more personal.

The portraits were captured by photographer Amanda Johnson of Vienna, Ohio, who worked with the couple and members of the local aviation community to stage the session among aircraft on the ramp.

For William McDermott, a service line technician at the airport, it was a chance to celebrate a major milestone in the very place that helped shape his life in aviation.

“Working at YNG means being part of something bigger and having a hand in assisting arriving and departing aircraft,” McDermott said.

The People Who Keep the Ramp Moving

Behind every general aviation airport is a small army of people who keep aircraft moving safely and efficiently. Among them are service line technicians, the men and women responsible for fueling airplanes, guiding pilots to parking, and making sure aircraft are ready for their next flight.

It is work that often goes unnoticed by travelers and even by many pilots.

“People often think ramp work is just physical labor,” McDermott explained. “But it requires technical knowledge and a keen understanding of aviation. It’s not just about fueling planes. It’s about ensuring the safety and efficiency of every flight.”

That sense of professionalism and pride is something recognized by those who work alongside him every day.

Mike Hillman, owner of Jets FBO at YNG, says McDermott has become an important part of the airport’s culture.

“I think many of his co-workers look up to Will as someone who knows it all, but isn’t a pretentious guy,” Hillman said. “People like to work with Will and like being around him.”

Hillman believes the best service line technicians have a few key qualities.

“Common sense and caring,” he said. “So much of what we do takes careful forethought. You have to be sharp, and you have to care about the safety of others and their property.”

At airports like Youngstown–Warren, that dedication helps make the airport feel like more than just a workplace.

“I feel a sense of family when I am in YNG,” Hillman said.

When the Airport Becomes Personal

For Will and his now wife, Lydia, the airport is more than just a place to work. It’s a big part of their life together.

“Aviation has always been William’s career, so it’s naturally shaped our life together,” Lydia said. “The days can be long and demanding, and the schedule isn’t always easy, but it’s been steady. His job has provided stability and opportunity.”

When they started planning their engagement photos, picking a location was easy.

“The airport is such a big part of his world, and by extension mine too,” Lydia explained. “Instead of choosing a random pretty location, we wanted somewhere that actually meant something to us.”

The result was something both unexpected and meaningful.

“The ramp is usually all business. Fast-paced, loud, and structured,” she said. “So seeing it turned into something soft and personal was really special. It made this huge, industrial space feel intimate.”

For Will, the experience was just as powerful.

“It was surreal and special,” he said. “It felt like I was celebrating a personal milestone in a place that’s shaped so much of who I am.”

Including the airport in this special moment felt natural.

“The airport has been a huge part of my life,” he said. “It symbolizes not only my work but also the environment that has supported and inspired me along the way.”

A Community That Shows Up

Stories like this rarely happen in isolation at small airports. They happen because of the people who make up the aviation community.

Members of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 117 at YNG helped support the session, bringing aircraft and their enthusiasm to the ramp.

For chapter member Anthony DeGaten, helping was simply part of what the aviation community does.

“Our aviation culture is similar to others, with a diverse group of people with aviation binding us together,” DeGaten said.

When the chapter learned about the engagement portraits, the response was immediate.

“Somebody in our aviation community needed our assistance in helping them make their day very special,” he said.

Support like that is not unusual within EAA circles.

“Absolutely,” DeGaten said when asked if the chapter regularly steps up for members. “Not only our EAA aviation community, but also helping to promote aviation as a whole.”

At Youngstown–Warren Regional Airport, that sense of community is still strong.

“It’s alive and well at our airport,” he said. “We just want to bring people together through our many activities to make things fun and exciting.”

Aviation’s Small World

While aviation spans the globe, many who work in the industry describe it as a surprisingly small world.

Hillman sees that every day, through the connections that form between pilots, mechanics, line technicians, and airport staff.

“Aviation is a very large national community, but a very small one,” he said. “You see people and talk with them from all over the country every day, your entire career.”

That shared experience often leads people in aviation to support one another.

“For whatever reason, that sense of connection prompts the aviation community to support its members well,” Hillman said.

It is a culture that continues to strengthen local airports like YNG.

DeGaten believes the story unfolding there reflects something larger about aviation itself.

“The story is still being written,” he said. “We are more successful together in helping our community and others. In many instances, the presence of a local EAA chapter helps build a tight community and a stronger airport environment.”

Why General Aviation Still Matters

For Will, the sense of shared purpose is evident every day on the ramp.

“The aviation community at YNG is tight-knit and supportive,” he said. “Everyone works together to ensure smooth operations. There’s a shared sense of pride and responsibility in keeping things running safely and efficiently.”

He believes general aviation still plays an important role in communities all over the country.

“It connects communities and provides opportunities for travel and business that other modes of transport can’t match,” he said.

Hillman sees another factor quietly helping the industry as well.

“Commercial aviation is our best advertising,” he said. “The misery of airline travel pushes more people to general aviation every day.”

A Moment That Captured Something Bigger

For Lydia, the photographs taken that evening represent more than just an engagement milestone.

Through Amanda Johnson’s lens, the busy ramp at YNG became something different for a few quiet moments that evening.

“I hope they remind us of this season,” she said. “Building our future, supporting each other’s dreams, and choosing each other in the middle of busy schedules and big goals.”

The photos also show something special about the place where they were taken.

Airports are often thought of as places people pass through.

But at small general aviation fields across the country, they’re also places where friendships blossom, careers grow, and communities come together.

At Youngstown–Warren Regional Airport, one evening on the ramp simply reminded everyone of something they already knew.

Aviation is not just about airplanes.

It is about the people like Will who keep them flying every single day.

A very special thanks to Amanda Johnson, owner and lead photographer at AMJ Photography, for providing the photos used in this story. Amanda serves clients in her hometown of Philadelphia, as well as in Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. She is based in Vienna, Ohio.