Photographing People While They Get a Tattoo

FYI.

This story is over 5 years old.

Travel

Photographing People While They Get a Tattoo

I wondered what getting inked was like for other people – and how each of them dealt with the pain.

This article originally appeared on VICE Greece

"When you get a tattoo one thing is certain: It will hurt," said tattoo artist Sotiris five years ago, while giving me a tattoo. I know how much it hurt for me, but I wondered what getting inked was like for other people – and how they dealt with their pain. So last month, I visited several tattoo studios in Athens to photograph the faces of some of those people. The main thing I learned from the experience was that not only did it hurt for everyone, but that they also all enjoyed that pain to a certain degree. Everyone turned red and swore like a sailor during their session, yet the moment it was all over, an expression of relief and happiness would be drawn on their faces. It made the whole thing feel almost like a purification ritual.

Advertisement

I asked Jenio from Dildo Tattoo Studio about the role of pain in tattooing: "I believe that pain rids you of negative energy," he said. "Everybody hurts but their reaction to the pain depends on their character – some people squirm and grumble while others sit dead silent. But in the end, everyone leaves with a smile and a 'Thank you'. That must mean something."

See more photos below. Thanks to Dildo Tattoo in Faliro, No Toxic in Kallithea and Black Rose in Psyrri for allowing me to take photographs in their parlours.

More on tattoos on VICE:

Why the British Tattoo Industry Has Beef with 'Tattoo Fixers'

These Are the Most Popular Bad Tattoos in the UK and Ireland

This Belgian Noise Band Tattoo Themselves During Their Live Shows