Last week, I had the chance to catch up with Instagrams’ iconic duo drag photographers, Bayly and Cam from @Drag Files. We spoke of all things drag and the evolution of drag photography. Drag Files are known for capturing a number of fan favoured RuGirls from Shea Coulee, Naomi Smalls, Denali Foxx, and Kahmora Hall.
How different is it to photograph Drag Kings and Queens compared to non-drag artists?
Photographing drag queens is a lot easier than photographing non-drag artists, in my opinion. Drag queens are already art themselves, so photographing them is honestly just an extension of their craft! It gives the photograph a fantastic base to start from.
What was it like photographing your first drag queen and who was it?
We originally started photographing a good friend, @Jahh_Knee. After releasing her pictures, more and more queens began contacting us for images! We definitely learned a lot about editing in the first year and what queens look for in their images. Finding a balance in realistic vs “fantasy” was tough, but now it comes naturally.
Why did you decide to specialise in drag photography?
Drag photography is unlike any other type of portrait photography, and it fits our style so well. We love poppy art and vibrant colours, and what better subject to photograph like that than a drag artist?
Are you a fan of the show? What is your iconic moment in the show?
We do LOVE the show and tune into all episodes of the franchise. A personal favourite moment is Naomi Smalls’ and Gia Gunns’ adrenaline lip-sync.
Who would you like to work with in the future?
In the future, we would LOVE to work with the current RuPauls drag race winner, Symone.
What’s it been like working in the pandemic?
We definitely slowed down during the pandemic, but we were excited to start shooting the season thirteen girls after the show was announced.
What is an average day on a shoot day like?
A typical day for a shoot takes about an hour, sometimes two for more intricate concepts. We often collaborate with each artist and try to make their visions come true. The process often depends on the queen, some have visions for the shoot, and others just show up, and we create the concept for the shoot based on the look that they bring.
Any tips on how to take the best at home picture for our beginner queens?
Shooting at home is a challenge, but photoshop helps a lot! Definitely draw inspiration from @kihmberlie on at home set-ups. You just have to get a little crafty!
So the next time your scrolling through your Instagram, take a minute to think about the evolution of visual storytelling and how these images came to be.