A fantasy tea party it is!

Richard Charpentier Arizona, Notes from Rich, Prescott 26 Comments

Ah, we’ve all waited to see more about the tea?  Well, tea party that is.

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Days ago Sadira asked if I could help her make her own fantasy tea party come true.  A virtual tea party, but a tea party all the same.  At first I was hesitant.  Never in a million years would I think about photographing a fantasy tea party, but then I thought, “Why not.”  A fantasy tea party it is.

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Readers should note….if you’re looking for the fantasy tale to go along with the shoot be sure to stop by Sadira’s site.  I think you’ll enjoy her version much better than mine.  🙂

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So, Wednesday night we set off with several arm loads of goodies, props, blankets, and the heaviest pillows in the world.  I also carried in pounds and pounds of photo gear, multiple cameras, lenses, and a tripod for good measure.  My fantasy would be a little different than my companions’ fantasies.  Mine would be dreaming up what all of this would look like in the end.  Ah, stretching the old mind toward new things once more.

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Actually, I believe I do that every day……..

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Our good friend Clay came along to help make the fantasy come to life.  What’s an arm full of goodies without others to share it with?  Especially when your guests are also talented jugglers and theatrically minded folk!  Clay was perfect for the fantasy shoot!

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While I looked around for light, Sadira and Clay put the fantasy together.  Cupcakes, teapots, tea cups, sock monkeys……the works.  I think the Mad Hatter himself would have approved.  If not then I’d say he was mad……

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With the light fading, a wedding party in the background, and all sorts of pesky wind moving the picnic site around we were finally ready to bring a fantasy together.

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It’s one thing to have a fantasy tea party to be sure.  It’s a totally different thing to try and pull it together visually and make that fantasy come across.  Plates, teapots, and even sock monkeys all together make for an interesting scene……but is it fantasy yet?  Fanciful yet?  Not quite…..there’s a little to be done behind the camera.  And even more after you’ve captured your fantasy to share.

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Is it really possible to capture your fantasy?  Not too sure on that one, but I tried my best!  🙂teaparty-11

Just as the sun was setting behind Granite Mountain, and as the soft light faded away we had finished our fantasy tea party.  The sky over Granite Mountain went deep orange and later brilliant shades of pink.  I guess the sun and clouds were trying to participate as well……..

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And in the end, I think the fantasy came through…..  At least I know my friends enjoyed themselves and I captured something different from what I usually take away from time spent in the Granite Dells!

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So, thanks to Sadira for asking me to help make her Mad Tea Party a reality.  Thanks to Clay for helping us out, and adding so much to the scenes.  And thanks to Vanessa for the idea that made me try something oh so different with my photography…..

Now, go read Sadira’s blog that goes along with these images…..just a little more imaginative than my post for sure!


Comments 26

  1. And thank you for your enthusiasm during the entire project and your willingness to stretch right through your creative boundaries once again…your talented eye and passion for photography helped make my vision come right to life and let me dance through my wildest dreams…you too, are a talented and whimsical artist (top hat and stripey stockings or not) and as I sit here with a satisfied smile on my mouth, I can’t help but wonder what we’ll dream up next?!?!

  3. I can see why you were asked to photograph this most magical tea party. Absolutely amazing work! Sadira and Clay must be thrilled.
    cheers

  4. What a perfectly wonderful tea party!!! It’s so nice to see all the work you put in to make this day special!!! I had a great time.

    Karen
    My Desert Cottage

  5. Great work, I like theses allot. The shooting and editing is really nice… I especially like the last shot.
    Have you heard Tim Burton is doing his own rendition Alice in Wonderland? It is supposed to be released early 2010.

  8. I visited Sadrina’s blog…and your photos…you must have these made into postcards and see on etsy! Come on over to my party – if you haven’t quietly crept in already….

  10. Truly remarkable and enchanting photography. Next year you’ll have to shoot my party. Then again you might get cake on your camera to stay with the safe subjects. Love the Last picture! Again I was truly enchanted during my visit.

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    Thanks all. I will be visiting the rest of the parties soon. Just “juggling” work, printing, and catching up on rest. So many places to shoot soon, so little time. But this was a fun project, and I bet we’ll do more again soon! 🙂

  13. I enjoyed looking at these photos on Sadria’s blog, and it was nice to see them again here!
    You have taken some truely beautiful shots atop those rocky hills! And the sky seemed to put on a show for you all too!

    Jessy

  14. Your photography is simply amazing!!!! The skies are beautiful, the colors serene, it truly is a magical thing!! Plus the madness behind it all ;-)!
    Thank you so much for pulling us into your dream!!!!

  15. I saw your friend Sadira’s blog and tea party and she wrote the lovliest tale.

    You have taken the most beautiful pictures and told us a whole other tale.

    Thank you.

    Renee xoxo

  16. Rich, I can’t ever say enough. Your photos are breathtaking. Please make them available to the public. They would be a winderous hit! The sky is unreal, and the setting sublime, but your photographic eye is magic!! Just magic!

    Hope to see you joining more of our whimsical realm 😉

    Thanks again for being a part of Wonderland! Warmly, V

  17. Hi Richard,

    I’m glad to have the pleasure of being able to compliment you on the photos you took for Sadira. I actually visited her site first (started from the bottom of the list).

    Your photos are incredible! I can’t believe how rich the color is but I imagine this is the color of dream worlds.

    Thank you for a lovely time at the party.

    Cheers! =D
    ~Kitty Kellie
    The Artful Paper Doll

  18. Absolutely exquisite photographs-I love it!!!
    Hope you can stop in to my little wonderland too:)
    Happy Party Hopping

    Stacy♡

  19. So many amazing photographs. One of my favorites is the cupcake tea party with the surreal sky in the background.
    I am in awe of the photographs and aspire to take pictures this well.
    ~Theresa

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    Thanks for all the great comments! I’ll be looking through other parties today. I spent yesterday with a stomach bug all day, so recovering now. 🙂

    And I might just list several of the prints for sale shortly. Glad everyone enjoyed them. 🙂

  22. *:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:
    *:*:*:Make and make-believe! Tea parties better on day three…don’t you agree?!!*:* *:*Your eye is divine and shots magnifique!! A tea party then a Bluegrass festival? Lovely world you have there. Pip pip!!*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*: *:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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    Wow Tea Pea…..you’re way off on your comment here. This post is about a fantasy tea party and has nothing to do with the events of 9/12/09. Did you read the post, or did you spam me with a spam bot?

    I’m allowing your comment to expose the types of political garbage I’ve been getting in response to using the words Tea Party. Maybe you should fine tune your spam bot.

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