WIGSTOCK: A Celebration of Identity, Color, and Freedom – Through a Photographer’s Eyes

WIGSTOCK in Tel Aviv isn’t just a music festival or a flashy show. It’s a loud, proud, and emotional celebration that brings together some of the most iconic voices and performers from the LGBTQ+ community — and most importantly, it shines a powerful light on the transgender experience.

As a photographer, this festival is one of those rare moments when the camera becomes more than just a tool — it turns into a witness to a cultural and personal revolution.

WIGSTOCK originated in the '80s in downtown New York, born out of the underground drag scene. It was part protest, part party—a way for people who lived on society’s margins to demand space, visibility, and joy. Over the years, the event grew, crossed oceans, and eventually found its way to Tel Aviv—and here, it bloomed into something truly special.

In Israel, WIGSTOCK has become a yearly pilgrimage for the queer community, but it’s not just for LGBTQ+ folks.

But to me, the most potent part of WIGSTOCK is the space it gives to trans performers and individuals. There’s something raw and real about it. This is their moment to be seen, heard, and celebrated—not as novelty but as artists, leaders, and part of the community's heart and soul.

There are stories behind every look, every pose. I’ve photographed young trans teens dancing with veteran performers who’ve been doing this for decades. There’s something magical about capturing a moment when someone feels truly seen, maybe for the first time.

It’s not all glitter and glam — though there’s plenty of that too. There’s depth, history, and a whole lot of courage on that stage. My goal as a photographer isn’t just to catch an incredible shot — it’s to tell those stories, to show the strength behind the sparkle.

WIGSTOCK, in the end, is more than entertainment. It’s a mirror of where we are and a vision of where we’re going. It’s proof that change is happening — not just in politics or policy, but in people’s hearts.

Between the beats, the makeup, and the madness, there’s a quiet revolution happening — and it’s beautiful.

The camera lens could not contain all the color, emotion, and power of the WIGSTOCK Festival. From the first hour, it was clear—this is no longer an event. It's a celebration of freedom, creativity, and total acceptance of every person wherever they are.

The floor was filled with stunning characters in high wigs, bold makeup that drew a new identity, and clothes that turned everybody into a stage. Every captured frame was a story of courage, of saying, of a dream coming true.

Beyond the colors, what really stood out in the lens was the softness of a glance, the hugs between strangers, the feeling of a safe space. There's no other way to describe it than magic. The little moments — a smile between friends, a child looking at drinks, a drag queen receiving applause — are the ones that shouted the loudest: Acceptance isn't just a value, it's a necessity.

WIGSTOCK in Tel Aviv proved once again that beauty lies in diversity, and that the freedom to be who you are is not a privilege, it's a fundamental right. The pictures may capture the moment, but the heart carries it forever.