Enchanting Sunset Engagement Session in Houston, Texas Has Romance and Elegant Attire

Chinyere (Chi Chi) and Ishmael's stunning sunset engagement session photos in Houston, Texas, were featured in Issue 32!

Chinyere (Chi Chi) and Ishmael’s stunning sunset engagement session photos were featured in Issue 32!

Their love story began at a networking event that neither of them were supposed to attend. However, destiny had other plans. Spotting Chi Chi across the room, Ishmael laid eyes on his future wife for the first time…

Chi Chi recalls, “He saw me at the registration desk from across the room, and came up to me with these words: ‘I’ve seen you before, so I don’t want to miss the opportunity again to tell you that you are the most beautiful woman that I’ve ever seen.'”

“The rest is history,” Chi Chi shares smiling. Following a beautiful courtship, Ishmael planned a surprise proposal disguised as a photo shoot at an art gallery. After saying yes, the surprises continued with their friends and family waiting nearby to celebrate!

For their engagement photos, the couple wanted something elegant, and classy, with a touch of uniqueness to fit their personalities.

Working with MunaCoterie photographer, Stanlo Photography, they walked the grounds of the Huston, Texas Museum of Fine Arts, and ascended to the rooftop of The Laura Hotel, posing in two distinct styles: a purple and red dress for Chi Chi and a black and white look for Ishmael.

We knew we wanted to capture the sunset, to signify that even when the sun goes down, our love will always shine bright, but didn’t expect the sunset photos to turn out so beautifully and enchanting.
– Chi Chi & Ishmael

With engagement photos as beautiful as these, their wedding photos in Cabo, Mexico, are sure to be just as enchanting!

Keep scrolling below for more details on their love story and photos from their sunset engagement session.

Couple: Ishmael Johnson & Chinyere Okpaleke, MD
Occupations: Vice President of Media Company & Family Medicine Physician
Wedding date: June 22, 2024
Wedding location: Cabo, Mexico
Location of Engagement shoot: Houston, TX Museum of Fine Arts & The Laura Hotel

What did you do on your first date?

Ishmael took me to see the Rockets play courtside!

Tell us your proposal story:

Ishmael told me his job gave him a free photo shoot with their photographer at the office so we can use it anytime. So he bought me a dress to wear for the shoot, and we show up to the “shoot” which is an art gallery building and all I see through the windows are photos of us on the wall! I was shocked and confused lol. We walked in and he took me around the room to see the art exhibit called “The Art of Love” featuring us.

Each photo signified a special moment in our relationship, starting with our first date courtside to the Rockets game. He had a saxophonist playing during this private tour. At the end of the tour, he asked me to be his wife… I said yes, and then he said, “Okay guys, you can come out”. To my astonishment, my whole family and close friends from out of town came from the back of the room in hiding! I broke down in the happiest tears ever!

When did you know they were “the one”?

I knew early on. After a month of his intentionality, there was no one else in the world who could light my heart like he did. We were inseparable. And my future didn’t look complete without Ishmael in it.