Says Who?

In my project, I photographed four tattooers who watched me grow older as I saw them grow as artists. They helped teach me to be strong and fearless in self expression beginning with my dad. As someone raised by tattoo artists, my project sets out to prove that the outdated stereotypes of tattoo artists were never true and I’m living proof. 

I grew up in a tattoo shop. Society was different a few years ago, having tattoos or doing tattoos was frowned upon. When you exist in the tattoo shop bubble, you’re family, but leaving there can expose you to harsh stereotypes. Stepping out of that bubble, I’d always be told “tattoo artists are bad influences!” My response with my teenage attitude would always be “Says Who?”