OMG, you got engaged at a prison?
The Call
These days, I don't get many phone call inquiries. Most people slide into my DMs or send an email, so when my phone rang from a Columbus area code, I immediately assumed it was the kids' doctor's office calling.
“Hello?”
Normally, I answer the phone like a relatively professional adult, but that very unenthusiastic “Hello?” still lives rent-free in my head. It was SO disingenuous. 😂 Looking back, I’m honestly a little embarrassed.
Thankfully, it wasn't the doctor. It was David.
David was calling to see if I could capture his proposal to Kelly, and when he casually dropped, “at the Reformatory,” my excitement level went from zero to approximately YES, YES, YES, A MILLION TIMES YES!
We spent the next week exchanging a few very secretive phone calls, working out the details, securing the location, and making sure everything was in place without Kelly catching on.
And then?
We waited.
Which, as you can imagine, is super easy when you're sitting on a secret this exciting. 😉
What is The Ohio State Reformatory
A Prison Built to Reform
The Ohio State Reformatory was originally designed with rehabilitation in mind, not simply punishment. When it opened, the goal was to give young offenders religion, education, and a trade in hopes of helping them become productive members of society.
Hollywood has called it Home
If the Reformatory looks familiar, there’s a good reason. It became the primary filming location for the 1994 classic The Shawshank Redemption, and has also appeared in movies including Air Force One, Tango & Cash, and Harry and Walter Go to New York.
Impressive Cellblock
The Reformatory is home to what has been described as the world’s tallest free-standing steel cellblock, rising six tiers high with 600 cells. Standing beneath it is one of those moments where photographs really don't do the scale justice.
It's Haunted
After closing in 1990, the massive building sat empty before being rescued and restored by the Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society. Today, it has become a popular destination for paranormal investigators, ghost hunters, and anyone who enjoys getting just a little creeped out by their surroundings.
So, how did you pull it off?
You already know she did!
David and I came up with the perfect cover story: they were going to have some professional photos taken at the Reformatory. No mention of a proposal. No suspicious announcements. Just a cute little “date night” with a photographer tagging along. Totally normal. 😂
The Reformatory already held a pretty special place in the hearts of these two lovebirds. It was one of their very first dates together, when they toured the prison. They’re also both OBSESSED with The Shawshank Redemption, which was filmed right here, so convincing Kelly that they should have portraits taken at one of their favorite places wasn't exactly difficult.
As we approached the front steps, I started with a few warm-up photos. This was their first time in front of a camera, so I wanted to give them some time to loosen up and get comfortable.
Meanwhile, David was basically shaking down to his soul. 😂
We made our way toward the bottom of the staircase, and I told them I wanted to get a photo with the entire Reformatory in the background. I posed them back-to-back, walked away with my camera, and got into position.
“Step away from each other just a little bit!”
“Perfect!”
“Look straight ahead!”
“Great!”
And then…
David turned around and dropped to one knee.
“Face each other now!”
Kelly turned around and there he was. The love of her life, down on one knee, asking her to spend forever with him.
And just like that, what Kelly thought was a simple date night at the Reformatory became one of the biggest moments of their lives. ❤️
Did the photos even turn out?
