The variety of my work and the people I work with is what keeps me going. In this case I was commissioned to shoot Tom Rasmussen, aka Crystal Rasmussen at his home in South London. Tom has just written a book called Diary of a Drag Queen and if the Observer Magazine’s feature is anything to go by then it will be a very interesting read.
Tom greeted us as Tom. I was to shoot him without makeup first and then document the process of getting Crystal ready. Tom stood in the doorway of his bedroom smoking a roll up. We set up for the first shot and let Tom go to change into Crystal. Another cigarette break later and he was at his makeup table, layering up makeup like I’ve never seen before. He told me of his struggle of being accepted. Not just by people in small community town of Lancaster, but also from family. His openness and honesty was striking and touching. An other indication that this book will be a must read for all.
I have to admit that I was always sceptical of how he would carry off the look carrying a goatee. The makeup was complete and Tom only had the beard and wig to go. He stepped into his bathroom and a couple of minutes later he stepped out as a redhead with a glittering beard. He’d only gone and completed a look that would put any L’Orêal Paris representative to shame.
Crystal, (just as nice as Tom was btw) enjoyed small cigarette breaks between setups. We had the run of his place and in the end I asked if we could hit the road. Outside, in the middle of the street an older man walked passed and could not help but look, whilst an other lady stopped to ask: “Have you just moved in?” Strange that Crystal never had been noticed by his neighbour before I thought, but as Crystal said - “Daylight is a drag queen’s worst enemy”. It all made sense. This is of course a night time look, dedicated to the fun of the midnight hour.
Shot for The Observer Magazine
