Ink & Story: The First Step of a Passion Project
I recently photographed the very first participant for my new passion project, Ink & Story. It’s one thing to photograph someone who happens to have tattoos—quite another when the entire session is built around honoring those tattoos and the deeply personal stories behind them.
This project is about more than skin and ink—it's about identity, history, rebellion, healing, and expression. Ink & Story is divided into four parts:
Photographic Portraits – Studio or environmental portraits focusing on women 40+ with visible tattoos.
Studio Video Interviews – A conversation with each woman about her tattoo journey—what the ink means, why it was chosen, and how it fits into her life story.
Street Interviews – Raw, candid conversations with everyday people about their views on tattoos—how perceptions have changed, where stereotypes still linger, and what ink communicates today.
Tattoo Artists on Camera – Filming artists in their element—inking skin—and hearing directly from them about their role in shaping culture and storytelling through tattooing.
Though I enjoy the control that comes with shooting in a studio—the lighting, the mood—it’s often a challenge to tell a full, living story within four walls. That’s why this project also brings the camera outside: into homes, onto streets, and into tattoo shops. That’s where life happens.
What I’ve quickly realized is how essential it is for me to have a second set of hands—whether that’s an assistant or a good friend—on these sessions. It’s especially important when making subtle adjustments to clothing or helping subjects feel at ease. This isn’t just photography—it’s intimate, vulnerable storytelling, and it deserves that level of care and respect.
Above all, I’m honored to be shining a light on women who not only came before this generation but also helped shape it—through the lives they’ve lived, the children they’ve raised, and the stories they wear on their skin. These women carry legacy in their ink, and I want that legacy to be seen, heard, and celebrated.
