In the last two decades, drag has moved from shadowy niche corners to the center of the popular zeitgeist, aided in no small measure by its photogenic appeal. But what makes a good portrait of a drag queen? It’s easy to get lost in all the glitz and glamour of drag, failing to appreciate the essence, diversity and power of who these artists are and what they really do. A good portrait, as Martin Schoeller’s Drag Queens shows, goes far beyond capturing a person’s look to offer a glimpse into the subject’s inner world, emotions, motivations and imagination. Much more than theatrical cross-dressing, drag is about creating a living spectacle that tells a story and reveals a version of self that might otherwise go unnoticed. In Schoeller’s images drag emerges as a form of dynamic portraiture that conveys all the possibilities of who we imagine ourselves to be, and allows us to live and share these stories—even if just for one night.