Usually numerous well-known tattoo artists attend the conventions. In demand artists are normally booked prior to the convention, so be sure to make your booking with your preferred artist well ahead of time to secure your spot. You will see row after row of gifted tattoo artists, most will have their artwork hanging up on the booth wall - or have their "book" on display to flip through. Choose your artist carefully, take a good look at their prior work. Once you are tattooed, it's for life, and it's costly to have it done over by another artist if a bad job is done. Word of mouth is the way many people choose their artist. Contrarily, some new artists may not have a big following yet, but might be equally as talented. You decide.
Most of the time, you can buy tickets to conventions online well ahead of time, usually at a reduced rate. That beats waiting in line and paying full price the day of.
As a courtesy, I personally ALWAYS ask a tattoo artist if it's okay to take a photo of them whether or not they are working on someone. Some people are easily distracted by a camera flash and that's something you do NOT want to happen when a tattoo is being done! Likewise, be careful when you start talking to the artist, some need a lot of focus and concentration when working. Think about if it were you being tattooed - and be respectful of when you speak to the artist.
I happened upon industry legend Lyle Tuttle at the last convention I attended in Spokane. I was lucky enough to shoot the breeze with him for a good 15 minutes! Hey, meeting great people in the industry, getting a great tattoo and getting an eye full of fantastic art, that's what a tattoo convention is all about! More to report after the Seattle Tattoo Convention this August!
In the tattoo industry, owner of tatttoostop.net
