Thank you so much for your interest in my work. If you have any questions about the tattoo process, they should be covered below.
Appointments
How to Book an Appointment -
Please email me:
up to 3 design references
let me know if you prefer black and grey or color.
when you’d like to come in for a consultation
If it’s difficult to come to by the shop, please take a very clear, well-lit photo of the body part you want to get tattooed. Attach this in your email to me, with approximate measurements, and design reference photos.
Because of COVID, I am able to take the majority of my consults via email. Some situations may require you to come by the shop for an in-person consultation. Please see the next section on what to bring to a consult.
I will need to have the best understanding of what you’re envisioning so that I can make your custom art more personal. This will enable me to give you a more accurate price estimate.
Prices - fluctuate. Our shop minimum is $80; the cost will increase based on size, detail, placement, and materials needed. I am quick, if you sit still. If you’d like a quote, please email your reference photos with a brief description, and I can give you an estimate. If you have a budget you’d like to work within, please let me know so I can go over some options.
Deposits -
I take $100 deposits through Venmo, if you are unable to come in and leave a deposit in person.
We are a cash only shop. The remaining balance will need to be paid upon completion of each session. There is an ATM on site, if needed.
Deposits are non refundable; they are used towards my time preparing the tattoo. If you are running a bit late, please call the shop and let me know! If I get stood up, you will lose the deposit, and will need to leave a new one to reserve another date and time. If you need to reschedule, please give 24 hour notice to keep your deposit. I understand that things come up/kids get sick, etc. No worries! Your deposit will be good for a year, so you will be able to reschedule anytime within a year with that deposit.
The line drawing will be presented at the time of the appointment. If there are any changes that need to be made, I can make adjustments at that time.
Walk-ins-
We take walk-ins at The Gallery Tattoo on a first come first served basis. The shop opens at Noon every day. Tip: if you come first thing, we are usually able to squeeze in a small one that day.
Consultations
Reference and Deposits -
Consultations are free. You can email me and set up a time to come in, or you can come by the shop anytime and we can help.
Please bring in or email up to 3 design references of imagery and style you love the most. Doing a bit of research is always helpful. Please view my work through the TATTOOS portfolio. This will enable you to see the quality and style of work I do.
I will trace out the area of your body that you would like tattooed, and take a photo to work with. This way I will be able to make your custom design fit the best. In some cases, I will need to draw the tattoo on you directly, but I will need to have an idea of where we are going with the design before you come in to get tattooed.
Please be prepared to leave a deposit if you’d like to schedule an appointment with me. The deposit will reserve your appointment slot, will come off the last session and is used for my time preparing the tattoo.
Portrait Consults-
Please bring a large, dramatic or high contrast, clear photo of the person you would like a portrait of. Portraits start at $400 and may go up depending on size, placement, and detail. If you have several pictures, and are unsure, you may email them to me with any questions you may have. I am happy to help.
Tip: Walgreens has an awesome app and they are able to print very clear 8x10’s, if needed. That’s my favorite app for getting clear, affordable pictures printed!
Preparing to Get Tattooed
Before the Party-
For the love of God, and all that’s Holy, please get a good night sleep, and eat a healthy meal an hour before your appointment. Please do not come in hung over, sleep deprived, smelly, or starving. Thank you in advance!
It helps to eat something before, and bring snacks/soda anything with a little sugar. This will help you immensely!
Wear clothes you don’t care about. Don’t wear your favorite shirt, because it will most likely end up with ink on it! Bring some headphones if you’d like. It helps to zone out/meditate/focus on something else outside of what is happening to your body at the time.
I like to keep it real. I will absolutely let you know if you are wanting to get tattooed in a more challenging area. If that’s the case, you can take Advil as directed on the bottle an hour before you come to help take the edge off.
What to Bring for the Most Comfortable Experience Possible
How I Prepare for my Tattoos and Favorite Tips -
I will say all the tattoos I get now are typically 3+ hours. These tips will also help for small pieces; but the most important one, if you forget all the others is BRING SNACKS. Basically, everything I learned in coping through labor, I use when I get tattooed. Surprisingly enough, those relaxing and breathing techniques work for everything in life…except child birth!
I eat something delicious/sugary, something with protein and sugar preferably. I always bring snacks, a soft light blanket or some extremely comfortable clothes, and head phones. I always bring sunglasses (hater blockers/anything to dim the lights/get in the zone/mellow out).
I always get cold when I’m getting tattooed, but some people get sweaty. It definitely helps to bring layers. Just be comfortable.
Most of my clients have shared with me that I am fairly light handed. I have tattooed myself and been tattooed by others, and I can honestly say, I try and put the love in it. I tattooed my right foot with no issues…except overestimating how flexible I was in order to reach down that far and tattoo!
For larger and or more painful areas, I offer a numbing agent called Blue Gel, for an additional charge. In my 10 years of tattooing, it has consistently been the only thing that works when it’s applied to where you only feel pressure without pain. It’s a similar experience to having dental work done. Instead of pain, only pressure is felt. Blue Gel has both lidocaine and tetracaine. It is not necessary for most tattoos. I have used it on myself in the past, and loved it. It numbs the area for up to 2 hours, so I typically only use it towards the last hour or so, or for extremely painful areas IF needed (example: feet/hands/ribs/stomach/private areas).
Blue Gel works by opening the skin first. I can outline large areas in a very short amount of time. Once the skin is open, we put the gel on, wrap it in saran wrap and keep it covered for 30 min. The area will be numb for up to 2 hours. I’ve used this on the most sensitive areas, and my clients have loved it.
Visit Me Again!
I love taking healed pictures!
I would love to see you back if you’re in town when your tattoo is healed up. I love getting healed pictures for my portfolio.
If you are out of town, please send me photos of your healed tattoos.
For optimum lighting, please go outside in indirect sunlight and have a friend take a picture directly in front of the tattoo, for the most clear photo! Please email me your photos. I would love to post your healed photos on social media.