Photographer Tom Atwood has done it again, releasing an intimate photography book accompanied with an exhibition that shows the world a sneak peak into the lives of prominent members of the LGBTQ community.
Atwood’s collection, titled Kings & Queens in Their Castles, was a labor of love, 15 years in the making.
This book of work, his second photography compilation, includes over 160 luminaries, as they’ve never been seen before, at their most raw in their own homes across the United States.
Kings & Queens includes the likes of George Takei, Don Lemon, Meredith Baxter, Christian Siriano, Brad Walsh and more.
Photographer Tom Atwood has released an intimate portrait collection that offers a sneak peak into the lives of prominent members of the LGBTQ community; George Takei is shown wrapping gifts at his table in Los Angeles
Atwood’s photography gives the viewer surprising images to consider of celebrities at their most normal.
Photos range from Takei, who may be best known for his role as Mr. Sulu in the original Star Trek television series, wrapping gifts at his table, to CNN’s Don Lemon taking a call on an empty, gray balcony in New York City.
Others, of course, are more outlandish and what we might expect from famous people, like a snapshot of (John) Randal Kleiser, who directed the 1978 musical, romantic comedy film Grease, reading a script beside his pool under the shadow of his horse while a goat looks on.
CNN’s Don Lemon takes a phone call on his empty, gray balcony at home in New York City
Gary Tisdale-Woods graces the cover of Atwood’s work, in a photo taken at his home in Greensboro, Georgia
(John) Randal Kleiser, who directed the 1978 musical, romantic comedy film Grease, reads a script beside his pool under the shadow of a horse while a goat looks on, in Los Angeles
One of Atwood’s images caught the eye of the Smithsonian Institute, prompting the museum to name it their photo of the day on January 8.
That particular portrait was of Alan Cumming, the Scottish-American actor with a storied career in film, television and theater.
The picture shows the Dr. Death star standing shirtless behind his desk in New York City, with a newspaper and snacks at the ready.
Sue Williams (left) and Mary Celley (right), are seen here charming bees in hives at their property in Brooklyn, Wisconsin
Doug Spearman (left), of Noah’s Arc, Star Trek Voyager, The Drew Carey Show, chats with fellow actor, General Hospital’s Marc Samuel (right) in Los Angeles
Alan Cumming stands shirtless behind his desk in New York City, with a newspaper and snacks at the ready
Family Ties’ Meredith Baxter sits at the counter at her home in Santa Monica, which she listed for sale in 2016
And others, still, are more local icons, like the man who graces cover.
His name is Gary Tisdale-Woods, and he’s a community volunteer in Greensboro, Georgia.
He’s seen in pale, yellow blazer, surrouned by ornate decor and elaborate tapestries, in his spacious home.
Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles’ Josh Flagg (left) and Colton Thorn (right) enjoying lounging, or at least one of them does
Lydia Brown, an Asian American autistic disability rights activist, writer, and public speaker who was honored by the White House in 2013, is seen here in her living space in Washington, DC
Queer Eye’s fashion designer, Kressley Carson, checks himself out in the mirror in New York
Ted Haykal gets cozy with a book in what looks like a tree house in Pike’s Island, Maine
There’s also Lydia Brown, an Asian American autistic disability rights activist, writer, and public speaker who was honored by the White House in 2013.
She’s depicted taking in all of her signage, that adorns her cozy living space in Washington, DC
Atwood traveled to around 30 states, in his effort to carry out what has been called ‘the most ambitious photo series ever conducted of the LGBTQ experience in the USA,’ the artist’s site reads.
Atwood’s book, Kings & Queens in their Castles, is available for sale now
Designer Christian Siriano (left) affectionately rests his hand on the back of the neck of spouse Brad Walsh (right) in New York
Georgia Voice’s 2014 Person of the Yerar, Ria Pell (left), rubs an eye, wearing denim overalls and a pink button-down shirt, with Kiki Carr (right) in Georgia
Kings & Queens in Their Castles was published by Damiani in April.
While the book includes more than 160 images, Atwood actually captured photos of more than 350 subjects.
For a schedule of exhibitions of the body of work, check the portrait artist’s website at TomAtwood.com.
Kings & Queens is the second installment in a series, following Atwood’s 2005 work that he co-created with Charles Kaiser, titled Kings in Their Castles: Photographs of Queer Men at Home.
Jeff Mallory (left) and Kevin Smith (right) sit amongst their greenery in Big Sur, California
Costume and clothing designer Jon Fulton Adams (left) and actor Ron Megee (right) converse in a purposely destroyed room at their Kansas City, Missouri home
Momma Meacham looks off in the distance after putting on a full fake of makeup in the bathroom in Los Angeles
Photographer Tom Atwood is shown here, in a photo from his website