Hello!

Welcome to The Quintessential Blog, the fun, fabulous, and occasionally quirky online companion to The Quintessential Image™. My name is Chantel Elise and I am a photographer based in Wiltshire, England whose specialty is focusing on the details, moments and emotions that create the quintessential image.

I am delighted to have this opportunity to share with you a visual journal of not only my professional work, but the personal images and musings that may help to describe who this person behind the camera really is. I am fortunate to be blessed with the chance to photograph some truly incredible brides and grooms, unique individuals, and delightful families in not only the United Kingdom, but in my native home of Southern California as well.

Please sit back, get comfortable and have a look around. If you see something you enjoy, feel free to leave a comment or maybe add me to your rss. If you are looking for anything specific please use the links at the top or the search bar at the bottom of the page. I know this site is in its infancy, yet there is alot more to come so please don't forget to check back often. Thank you for stopping by!

{ photo credit, 1/3: vintage photo booth }



Dannara & Chris { engagement }

1, July 15, 2009 – 5:50 pm

Once upon a time there were two sisters who couldn’t stop arguing. It didn’t matter who was to blame, both girls felt they were in the right, thus the other was obviously very, very wrong. Over the years their battle scars remained but their arguments waned and their world was once again a more peaceful place. I love my sister Dannara dearly, always did even if I was sometimes too angry to admit it. I am hoping that she loves these images of her and her fiance Chris at Caerphilly Castle in Wales as much as I do. Of course if she doesn’t I guess its back to the hair pulling and scratches, ouch!

As for the shoot itself it was a typical day kind of day in Wales, raining/not raining yet all together gorgeous. Dannara and Chris sported their usual Californian gear and supported their alma mater Cal State Fullerton in unison. As they raced each other through the grounds and hid from the weather under the archways, one charachteristic about these two became clear–they are definately the quintessential epitome of a young couple in love!

Thank you for the opportunity to photograph you both, Dannara and Chris, I cannot wait for round two (ding, ding)!© the quintessential image 2009© the quintessential image 2009© the quintessential image 2009© the quintessential image 2009© the quintessential image 2009

By Chantel | Posted in Engagement, Recent | Tagged , , , | 1 comments         Add a Comment
  1. Mary   -  

    What lovely photos! Looking forward to seeing more of your work in person.

Laura & Chris { wedding }

1, October 22, 2008 – 4:42 pm

Atop a steep hill amongst the Wiltshire downs lies a location solely reserved for those who are prepared to announce their love, as Laura and Chris did, from the plains highest prominence. Dedicated to an Olympian deity of light and sun, the Temple of Apollo acts as a beacon to the gardens of Stourhead. Few are brave enough to climb the temple’s arduous path, and of those only a select group are welcomed within its locked doors.

Laura and Chris declared their devotion to one another on a day for the record books. Not only did the sunlight filter through the clouds, it overtook them and turned the temple’s granite columns from grey to gold. Laura and Chris’ dearest friends and family reveled in the beauty of the setting, the day, the joy. An intimate affair is what Laura and Chris wanted most and the temple was a truly magnificent party to such an occasion. Only with those whom they have shared a lifetime of whispered secrets and great laughter could their most special day be quintessentially–theirs.

Having met at the University of Bristol, Laura and Chris became devoted to more than just their studies, but rather to each other. A few years later and it is in the gardens of Stourhead, on their wedding day, that their eyes sparkled with a radiance of the forever crush that they both hold for one another.

How lucky I am to have been included in your big day Laura and Chris! Not only did you both have great ideas about the type of wedding you wanted you chose the perfect location. Thank you for such a wonderful opportunity!

I would also like to thank the bar staff at The Spread Eagle for being very kind and making sure the photographers had a drink of cool water after such a parching day. A big thank you goes out to Sharice as well, your being there was appreciated so very much!

By Chantel | Posted in Recent, Wedding | Tagged , , , | 8 comments         Add a Comment
  1. Chris H.   -  

    Gorgeous, enough said!

  2. Laura   -  

    Great photos Chantel – can’t believe you’ve put the ones of me and the girls looking like puffer fish up! Thank you so much!

  3. Chris   -  

    Beautiful photos, stunning. A marvellous job!

  4. Rachel   -  

    I am loving the pictures, especially the cinematic look to #7 the b&w, stunning.

  5. Jo   -  

    You have captured the atmosphere of the wedding and the beautiful surroundings of Stourhead to perfection.

  6. ally michele   -  

    flippin great work! theses are wonderful!! :)

  7. Vicky   -  

    Wow, looking back at this over a year on, the magic still continues, a FANTASTIC venue and beautifully captured!

  8. Chantel   -  

    Thank you for all the lovely comments, and thank you Vicky, it was a fantastic day and Laura & Chris are such a lovely couple!

Sarah & Kenny { wedding }

1, October 3, 2008 – 3:52 am

Many years ago, amongst the rolling green hills of the Welsh Valleys existed an enchanting land once called Maesrudded–meaning ‘fields and freedom’. Though this time has passed, the lovely fields remain and are now home to the Georgian design of Maes Manor. It was here, within Maes sturdy foundations built of timber and its solid walls of Granite that the commitment of Sarah and Kenny was further strengthened.

Before the big day Sarah and Kenny’s ‘lil princess knew she would be taking part in a wedding. She knew she and her mum were prepared as they both had a dress, pretty shoes and sparkly accessories. She also knew that since Sarah was getting married that day, it made sense that whatever a wedding really was she must be getting married too. Though she could not know just how long Sarah and Kenny had been waiting for this day, for a love as blissful as theirs, she knew that her family were now, even more so, happy.

Through the ceremony, to the wedding breakfast and during the reception one thing was certain, Kenny would always be by Sarah’s side. Their time away from each other was short as they held hands and stole kisses when chance allowed. After this day they could be content in the knowledge that with their new union, never again would they need to be apart and they could now begin their wondrous lives together as husband and wife.

As night fell, the lights within Maes ballroom shone like the stars and provided the perfect setting for Sarah and Kenny’s first dance as a married couple. Snow Patrol’s poetic lyrics filled the air and provided the quintessential words that further defined not only Sarah and Kenny’s embrace, but that of their beautiful romance–”All that I am, all that I ever was, is here in your perfect eyes, they’re all I can see.”

I am blessed to be able to photograph the love between a couple so strong, thank you Sarah and Kenny for having me document your very special day.

A big shout out goes to one of my favourite couples, Kelly and Mark. It was fantastic seeing you again at the wedding! Kelly, not only do you make a georgeous bride but a stunning bridesmaid as well! Please tell Zoe hello and send her my love. As always, I thank you Sharice for your invaluable assistance and your newfound lighting skills!

By Chantel | Posted in Recent, Wedding | Tagged , , | 3 comments         Add a Comment
  1. Brian   -  

    Wow! Absolutely amazing pictures, how did you do it? Maes is extremely tricky to shoot. Great job, looking forward to seeing more.

  2. Kelly   -  

    Love them!!! Beautiful pictures as always x

  3. Mel   -  

    What lovely photos, my favourite is the very last. What a beautiful first dance.

Jennifer & Kevin { breaking news! }

1, September 20, 2008 – 1:57 am

Ariel of the fabulously fun blogsite Offbeat Bride has posted one of my favourite images from Jennifer & Kevin’s bicycle themed wedding. The featured picture as seen below is the quintessential image of a couple romantically riding away into their new life together. If you have read Jennifer & Kevin’s post on this blog, you may remember that Jennifer is an avid fan of Offbeat Bride and some of the inspiration for her and Kevin’s big day came from the great unconventional ideas that can be found both in the book and blog.

If you haven’t yet visited Offbeat Bride and you would like to incorporate some non traditional elements into your wedding or just want to browse some real weddings from Offbeat Bride’s around the globe I definately recommend checking it out!

By Chantel | Posted in Breaking News!, Recent | Tagged , | no comments         Add a Comment