The Honeyboys

I first met Philip Schild in Broadway Market during a one-off arts festival called The Mile of Art. He was twelve, suited up in full beekeeper’s whites, selling jars of Hackney Honey with startling conviction. Intrigued, I tracked down his mother Nicola to ask if I could photograph him.

Over the course of a year, I came to know Philip, his stepfather Ian, and their rooftop apiary above their Hackney home. I documented the rhythms of their beekeeping – the harvests, the bottling, the hive care – and the unexpected beauty of an urban honey operation. They sold their honey through Henry’s butcher shop on Broadway Market. The images and story were published by The Guardian in June 2007.

Shortly after, the work was raised in the House of Lords. Lord Rooker remarked: “If you want a brilliant photograph and a brilliant article on bees, look at page 3 of yesterday’s Guardian… There is a picture of the Honeyboys of Hackney and an article by Gabrielle Motola.”

Following that, Philip and Ian were inundated with requests – most notably appearing on Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage. Today, they no longer keep bees. Philip has grown up and is was studying drama. But for a time, they made honey on a rooftop in Hackney, and sold it with heart.