Sessions as they happened, the bench between them, and the drawings that started each piece. Every caption says which of the three it is.
Twelve
Frames shown
Six
Artists
Eight
Sessions
Portland
Shot in the studio
The book
Sessions, benches and drawings
Sternum ornament, three sessions
Shoulder cap, blackwork
Forearm band, ornamental
Spine panel, in progress
Blast over, second session
Ring set, half day
Machines set for the day
The bench before a session
Reading these
What a photograph does not show
Everyone tattooed here agreed to be photographed, nothing is retouched, and the drawings are shot on the desk they were made on.
Healed beats fresh
A tattoo photographed on the day looks sharper than it will ever look again. Where we have a healed frame, that is the one we show.
Healed
Skin is not paper
The same design reads differently on a forearm and a ribcage. Placement is half of what you are looking at in any of these.
Placement
No filters
Nothing here is retouched or colour graded. Studio light, one lens, and the piece as it left the chair.
Unretouched
Consent first
Every person in these frames agreed to be here, and any of them can ask us to take a photograph down.
Asked
Consults open
Bring us a rough idea. We will draw the rest.
Consults run forty minutes and cost nothing. Come with references, a rough placement, and a budget range. You leave with a date, an artist, and a price band.