Sample images from a private commission to record the Mrs Boon Tea Parties. These are intimate gigs organised by Charlie and Clint Boon (of The Inspiral Carpets and XFM Radio) which take place on Saturday afternoons at The Ruby Lounge, in the Northern Quarter area of Manchester. Mrs Boon sells her home-made scrummy cakes, whilst Clint plays R'n'R classics on his (growing) collection old 60s Dansette record players. Local bands and singer/songwriters then appear for their own set, and then afterwards Mrs Boon reads the children (who are actively encouraged to attend) a story afterwards. These are all generally 'High ISO' shots, as we're trying to capture the ambience and atmosphere of what is a notoriously dark place. We're also trying to create a bit of a 'psychedelic' look with the imagery, because it seems to suit the Tea Parties nicely. Clint sometimes manages to pull rabbits out of hats with the odd 'big name' band...usually on a day when I'm committed to something else! Music is something I'm trying to get more into, as being a music lover myself, it doesn't really feel like 'work'.

This project has already led to an exhibition of the images, which took place at Odd's Gallery Space in the Northern Quarter for a five-week run from January to February 2010.


The Doors Alive, April 2009. (REF: TDA 001)



The Doors Alive, April 2009. (REF: TDA 002)



Clint at the Manchester International Festival, where they did a 'Cake Workshop' for children, which was a huge success. (REF: CCW 001)



Children dancing at Dave McNamara Tea Party, April 2009. (REF: KDDM 001)



Four Generations of the same family. Smug Roberts TP, April 2009. (REF: FGSR 001)



Franz Ferdinand Tea Party, October 2009. (REF: FF 001)



Frazer King, October 2009. (FKTP 001)



Frazer King Tea Party, October 2009. (REF: FKTP 002)



Clint's Dansette record players. (REF: CDRC 001)



Vintage China & Industrial Tea Urn. (REF: VC 001)



Clint announces Charlie's pregnancy to the Heal The Last Stand crowd. October 2009.



The ever-present LOVE sign, and a mic! (REF: LOVE 001)



Sally Lynsey (Coronation Street) stands in for Storytime. (REF: SLS 001)



10-year-old Sian Smith stands in for a morning-sickness afflicted Mrs Boon, at Sam Grey's TP.



Fabulous Fairy Cakes! (REF: FFC 001)



Clint, rushing around whilst Charlie was poorly, trying to keep the Tea Parties going.



Sonic Boom Six Tea Party, October 2009. (REF: SBS 001)



Jess Hancock's (of The Jessie Rose Trip) lovely blouse, Oldham, May 2009. (REF: JH 001)



The Lovely Eggs Tea Party, June 2009. (REF: TLE 001)



The Manyanas Tea Party, June 2009. (REF: TM 001)



Cool kids, great taste in music...



The Travelling Band, Jackson's Pit, May 2009. (REF: TTBJ 001)



The Travelling Band, Jackson's Pit, May 2009. (REF: TTBJ 002)



Manchester International Festival Cake Workshop. The children signed a 'Cake Wall' put up by Clint & Charlie, which he's kept and plans to paste onto a wall of their new house. (REF: MIFCW 001)