Not long ago, when tattoos had yet to sprout like crabgrass on the bodies of our friends and loved ones, publicized photographs of tattoos and tattooed folks were scant at best.
Tattoo magazines were few, the Internet was still learning to walk, and tattoo photos that did surface were typically flat and featured poorly inked, head-banging youth or old-school aficionados whose once discernible, pectoral sailor maiden had since turned into a smudgey, re-entry club stamp.
But times have changed. Sure, there are still photographs of inked-up subjects flaunting their aggression and nonconformist allegiance (rock stars are great at this), tatted sirens who drip sexuality like a racehorse drips piss, and tattoo enthusiasts of yesteryear.
But tattoo photos today often embrace a beauty and a reverence for the art of tattoos, and the individual who carries them, that was lost in previous years. Although the ink is on the surface, tattoos are not skin deep, and are most-likely backed by emotions. Tattoo photographers today have become increasingly advanced in capturing this energy on film, but some are clearly ahead of their game.
Whether taking shots of those in the spotlight or unknown folks around the world, check out the work of the top twenty tattoo photographers working in the business today.
Lionel Deluy: Lionel has photographed many inked celebs, including Angelina Jolie, Blink 182, the Jackass crew, The Game, and Kat Von D. His work has appeared in Harper’s Bazaar, Premiere, and Vogue. Check out his inspiring bio on his webpage. www.lioneldeluy.com
Christian Holzknecht: Among Christian’s clients are The Stray Cats, the Playboy bunnies, The Monroes, and the good-natured fellas at West Coast Customs. www.holzknecht.at
Angela Boatwright: Photographer Angela Boatwright has been featured in Vice, Vibe, Revolver, SPIN and Inked magazine. She has done layouts for Nikki Sixx, Avenged Sevenfold and Sepultura, among countless other bands. www.angelaboatwright.com
Craig Burton: Craig Burton is a well known photog amid the metal scene, and does a lot of work in the tattoo arena where he made an international name for himself; covering worldwide tattoo conventions and shooting photos for several international tattoo mags. His clients include Kat Von D, Marilyn Manson, and Iron Maiden. www.craigburtonphotography.com
Jeff Davidson: Jeff Davidson specializes in combining the beauty of the female body with the creativity of tattoo art in his photos. www.thefemalecanvas.com
William DeMichele: After years of shooting tattooed enthusiasts, photographer William DeMichele opened his portfolio to over 80,000 images of tattooed men and women worldwide. http://tattoos.com/gallery/proteus
Justice Howard: Justice specializes in glamour photographs and celebrities pictures, and is a long time photographer of Dave Navarro. http://justicehoward.com
E. William Blochinger: William started out shooting covers for tattoo magazines such as Tattoo Savage, Tattoo Flesh and Skin Art, then turned his lens to Rock ‘n Roll - first by shooting concerts and then shooting the musicians. www.vanishingtattoo.com
Patricia Steur: Tattoos and Rock ‘n Roll play an important role in Patricia’s work. She has shot for numerous magazines including Playboy and Cosmopolitan, and has authored many books. Rock stars, the famous and perhaps soon to be… have all fallen under her lens. www.patriciasteur.com
Lithium Picnic: Houston photographer and Lithium Picnic associate Philip Warner has shot the Deftones, Lenny Kravitz and Marilyn Manson among his many layouts. www.lithiumpicnic.com
Tatsumi Takuya: Tatsumi photographs Horihito tattoo art in black and white. www.tema.co.jp
Jan Seeger: Jan is catching steam as one of the most expressive tattoo photographers in the business and captures beautiful, descriptive shots. http://janseeger.com
Lani Lee: Photographer Lani Lee has snapped hip-hop artist Malice getting tattooed by Chris Garver of Miami Ink, and sports tattoos sticked by Chris Garver and Ami James. http://lanileephotography.com
Peter DaSilva: Peter DaSilva strives to give viewers an unfettered view of counterculture lives and aesthetics through his photography. www.dasilvaphoto.com
Dale Rio: Dale is known for trotting around the globe on various tattoo magazine jobs, and shooting live, promo and press photos for a million different bands. www.dalerio.com
Michael McGowan: Michael’s work has appeared in galleries and shows all over the world, and seeks to celebrate all things about the female form. www.femmefete.com
Charles Gatewood: Charles specializes in fetish videos and books, and has been documenting the deviant worlds of tattooing, body piercing and other underground delights since 1964. www.charlesgatewood.com
Robin Perine: Tattoos, music, sports, fashion, and lifestyle photography are all a part of Robin’s repertoire and her clients include Green Day, Slash and Marilyn Manson. www.robinperine.com
Ina Saltz: Photographer Ina Saltz’s book: “Body Type: Intimate Messages Etched in Flesh” is the first book devoted entirely to typographic tattoos, and explores the ideas and emotions behind the ink commitment. www.bodytypebook.com
Michael Glatt: Michael began shooting photography as a teenager and carries his camera everywhere. www.lifesdisciple.com
Many of these incredible photographers are available for hire, so be sure to check out their websites for more information.
