Now in its fifteenth year, I recently spent three days at this world famous event where I was given the freedom to shoot what I wanted and how I wanted. I have been to a few tattoo conventions over the years, and it’s evident that times have changed. In the past you would see very few people having their heads inked, but now it is commonplace, and total body coverage is also more evident…I know this because of the number of (mainly men) wandering around in a G string. Thousands of people from all corners of the world come to this event, which is regarded as one of the best of the year. Some of the most talented and creative tattooists in the world set up shop for three days and most are fully booked for months in advance. My interest lay in the place where the ink is applied, where strange juxtapositions occur, and where the most intimate but short lived friendships are witnessed by those who stand and admire, or in my case, photograph.
