Award-winning photographer Tom Atwood has captured portraits of luminaries including Buzz Aldrin and John Waters. His latest book, published by Damiani on April 25, is being called the most ambitious photo series ever conducted of the LGBTQ experience in America. Kings & Queens in Their Castles collects more than 350 photos of subjects at home, including nearly 100 celebrities like Tony-winning actor Alan Cumming, Star Trek legend George Takei, Fun Home creator Alison Bechdel, and Welcome to the Dollhouse star Heather Matarazzo. We see them lounging with their loved ones, posed and proud amongst their eccentric environments, and surrounded by the things they love and feel strongly about.
“I decided to photograph LGBTQ Americans because I felt there was a need for a contemplative photo series of the community,” Atwood explains in his artist statement. “Many LGBTQ series depict scantily-clothed young subjects romping through the forest or lounging on the beach. There was a need for a series highlighting our manifold personalities and backgrounds. And I wanted to create a body of work that would strengthen the identity of and be a source of pride for the LGBTQ community, as well as feature role models.”
Apart from celebs and glamorous iconoclasts, Atwood features portraits of artists, activists, journalists, and more.
See a preview of Kings & Queens in Their Castles in our gallery. For more on Atwood’s work, visit his website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
©Tom Atwood, published with permission
MOTHER FLAWLESS SABRINA, Female impersonator New York, NY
©Tom Atwood, published with permission
ALAN CUMMING, Tony-winning actor from Hamlet, Macbeth, Cabaret New York, NY
©Tom Atwood, published with permission
RUFUS WAINWRIGHT, Award-winning singer and songwriter New York, NY
©Tom Atwood, published with permission
HOLLY TAYLOR, Compost maven — ALISON BECHDEL, Cartoonist, MacArthur Genius Grant winner and author of Fun Home Jericho, VT
©Tom Atwood, published with permission
LYDIA BROWN, Georgetown student and disability activist Washington, D.C.
©Tom Atwood, published with permission
GARY TISDALE-WOODS, Community volunteer Greensboro, GA
©Tom Atwood, published with permission
DOUG SPEARMAN, Actor from Charmed, Star Trek Voyager, Noah’s Arc, Girlfriends — MARC ANTHONY SAMUEL (friend), Actor from Imperfect Sky, Avenged, Parenthood Los Angeles, CA
©Tom Atwood, published with permission
DON LEMON, CNN anchor New York, NY
©Tom Atwood, published with permission
SIR MARK HAUKOHL, Real estate investor Houston, TX
©Tom Atwood, published with permission
BRUCE VILANCH, Emmy-winning celebrity from Hollywood Squares West Hollywood, CA