Girl watcher

Some photographers accumulate fuzzy photos of sunsets. But when you're a professional photographer who covers the music and queer scenes in and around Boston, you tend to accumulate photos of drag queens. So when the gallery at The Paradise Lounge approached Kelly Davidson about an exhibit of her rock and roll photography, Davidson had a better idea.

The result is Drag Me In, Drag Me Out, a selection of some of Davidson's best shots of drag artists. Shot on assignment for a number of local publications, including Bay Windows and The Boston Phoenix, the photos capture the backstage preparations that Davidson has been documenting over the years, from the drag ensemble in the American Repertory Theater's 2006 production of Island of Slaves, to many productions of the drag theater troupe The Gold Dust Orphans.

Although the out photographer hasn't always been interested in makeup personally, she's long been interested in the process of putting on a face and constructing an identity.

"My mother could put on her makeup while driving," recalls Davidson. "I was fascinated and always watched her." She adds with a giggle, "Of course, I also kept an eye on the road."

In college, pursuing a degree in photojournalism, Davidson took her fascination with transformation to the next level. "My roommate Beth used to put on makeup and I would photograph her," she explains. "I had hundreds of photographs of her! I never wore makeup then, but I loved watching people take that time to create a new look and make themselves beautiful."

After college, Davidson began establishing herself as a freelance photographer. The seeds of Drag Me Out were planted when she was assigned to shoot a portrait of Ryan Landry, in drag for his show The Gulls, for Stuff@Night magazine. The two hit it off, and Landry hired her take publicity shots for various Gold Dust Orphans shows. He also allowed her to go backstage and shoot the cast getting in and out of costume.

It's catching that unguarded moment when the subject forgets the camera is there that excites Davidson. The subject matter may seem silly and fun, but she takes it as seriously as any other assignment. In narrowing down hundreds of shots to choose 20 or so pieces to hang, high standards of photojournalism were her primary consideration.

"The most important thing is the composition," she explains. "It has to be a good photo first, not just an interesting moment or something that's been published." She adds that it's tough editing her own work, and will be getting a second opinion from a few peers before finalizing the selection.

With that focus on quality, it's no surprise that Davidson is eager to keep shooting. As soon as this exhibit is hung, she'll be getting to work on the next installment of Rock and Roll Parents, a series or portraits that show the maternal/paternal sides of musicians. (The first exhibit of Rock and Roll Parents is currently on display at Jamaica Plain's Art Market Gallery; part two has an "exclusive engagement" in Davidson's home.) She also expects to keep shooting drag queens, and hopes to eventually shoot more drag kings.

"I would love to have the opportunity to work with groups like All the Kings Men," she says. "I've seen some of their shows and they're great. I did have a few shots from TraniWreck, but not enough to give the kings a balanced part in this exhibit."

But first she's got to get through the opening, which she hopes will capture the fun of a drag show. DJ Punketta Doilie will keep the room's energy high, and Davison hopes that some of the guests will attend in drag.

"I was thinking I might show up in drag," she admits, "but me as a drag king is ... not appealing."

Drag Me Out, Drag Me In is on display Jan. 17-March 7 at The Paradise Lounge Gallery, 969 Commonwealth Ave., Boston. Opening reception 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Thurs., Jan. 17. For more info visit www.thedise.com or call 617.562.8814. Keep up with Kelly Davidson's work at www.etchedonfilm.com.