Photographer Luca Varano has captured drag artist Olive Ugly in a series of new editorial photos, exclusively for So.Gay. You may know Luca from his ‘Baseball Boy’ series, also published exclusively on So.Gay.
In between shots, the subject and the artist sat down for a quick Q&A — read their conversation, and the full photo shoot below.
OLIVE: When you shoot a quote unquote regular man or woman versus somebody in drag,
what’s the difference on your end? Because they obviously can’t be shot the same.
LUCA: First, I don’t think I’ve ever met a regular person. But that’s a side note. I think it’s knowing how to navigate not only two separate personalities, but personalities that fill a room. You have to work with a huge personality, and you have to work with knowing what you need to do to get the shot. When I’m working with another creative there is a different feel in the room. We both have a strong idea of what the final outcome should look like. It is always a special feeling when both of our visions come to life and we are able to create a product that feels like both of us equally worked on. It’s not a job. It’s not even a shoot at that point. And there’s the time limit of the basic discomfort of drag. Every second I’m making them hold a pose longer, they’re progressively more uncomfortable. Their d*ck is taped back. You’ve got a corset on. You’re tired. All of those things are happening in your head, and I’m still going, just one more.
OLIVE: There’s also a shelf life with the makeup.
LUCA: Especially with heat. Time is of the essence. Keep your studio at 64 degrees when you’re shooting drag.
OLIVE: It should be a meat locker.
