DRAGS is a photo series documenting drag queens and drag kings from New York City, shot by director/photographer Gregory Kramer. Presented in the style of classic fashion portraiture, the collection features legends – and up-and-coming legends – in glamorous black and white, full-length studio portraits.

Inspired by Irving Penn, each photo brings out the spirit of the performer through subtle pose, gesture and facial expression. And as is the case with most drag personalities, all the subjects authored their own look, from garment to hair and make-up. Included in the volume are five stories written by vital pillars of the scene. Charles Busch writes about how it feels to be in drag and his utmost respect for female role models, Sasha Velour speaks about the magic and transformative power of drag as an art form, Linda Simpson comments on the generational shift in the community, Goldie Peacock presents a distinct point of view from a drag king, while Sweetie pays homage to the queen’s who’ve come before.

Subjects photographed: Sasha Velour, Aja, Charles Busch, Lady Bunny, Duelling Bankheads, Peppermint, Murray Hill, Linda Simpson, Sugga Pie Koko, Sherry Vine, Flawless Sabrina, Sweetie, Pearl Harbor, Sultana, Flotilla DeBarge, Dusty Ray Bottoms, Bobbie, Zeta Jones, Scarlet Envy, Glace Chase, Ginger, Rose Royalle, Tobell Von Cartier, Pixie Aventura, Marti Gould Cummings, Flloyd, Mr. Lee VaLone, Kim Ono, Shequida, Merrie Cherry, Horrorchata, Momo Shade, Mocha Lite, Daphne Sumtimez, Ruby Roo, Thee Suburbia, Destiny, Ragamuffin, Mrs. Smith, Reina Del Taco, Erika Klash, Goldie Peacock, Dahlia Sin, Kandy Muse, Heidi Glüm, Wang Newton, Lal Batti, and Crimson Kitty.

The Ali Forney Center, a New York based not-for-profit, will be the recipient of Mr. Kramers’s profits from sales of the book. AFC is the largest agency dedicated to LGBTQ homeless youths in the country—assisting nearly 1,400 youths per year through a 24-hour Drop-In Center which provides over 70,000 meals annually, medical and mental health services through an on-site clinic, and a scattered site housing program.

KMW Studio. 160p