Journal

As before this photoshoot was in the middle of Cardiff City Centre, I had already worked a plan of how long it would take to get there and what I may need as far as equipment was needed. I took two camera bodies, lenses, a tripod, a flash unit, a light meter, cards that were formatted, and a set of flat shoes! The photo shoot was to be inside the venue and I may need my flash unit and to change the settings on my camera to capture the images I wanted to.

Arriving at the agreed time in the venue, the staff remembered me from the previous shoot and told s to go straight upstairs as before.  Twm was already there and was welcoming as before. His makeup was laid out on the shelf underneath the mirror along with his suitcase open containing his outfit and other personal items in it.  

Again as before it was very relaxed and the conversation was lovely and positive.  As it was pretty dark despite the main light in the room being left on, I felt the use of flash could be needed.  As before I also used the additional light. 

Twm had invited not just Ren but another drag queen called Minnie Cooper to join the lineup for the viewing party this week.  

About half an hour later Paul, and Minnie Cooper, walked into the room.  He was only in South Wales for a week or so as he lived in Liverpool and had travelled down to see Twm. During the next hour, or so whilst Twm was transforming into Polly using different makeup and a different outfit as before.  Paul was transforming into Minnie cooper, in the same room as Twm. 

 I took images, trying different settings on my camera. Some worked whilst others did not.  Ren came into the room although he had changed at home due to running late.  I watched both Twm and Paul apply their makeup so precisely, I only wished I could do what they did, it was incredible to see.  All of them again were lovely, chatty whilst getting ready and putting their super high-heeled shoes on. They over towered me with their height, I did struggle to take some photos of them if I am honest.  I captured a lovely image of both Twm and Paul just before they left the room at 20:45 to go downstairs to go on the stage.  Again following them downstairs I stood back and watched as they took the stage. The atmosphere was buzzing and the crowd were very happy to be there.  They sang some songs and then Ru Paul’s Drag Race came on the television screens, during this time I was advised to not take photographs.  

After around an hour, the program had finished and the singing, more banter from Polly, Justin and Minnie flowed for around two hours.  During this time I captured more images and changed the settings on my camera to suit the lighting.  Towards the end I took a selfie on my phone with them, collect my belongings and left at around 01:00 extremely tired and looking to the next event.