The Unexpected Struggles Behind Ink & Story
Ink & Story Studio Session
When I first envisioned Ink & Story, I truly believed that finding 40 incredible women over 40 with tattoos willing to share their stories would be the easy part. The internet is overflowing with people eager to open up, so I thought—why not this? But it’s turned out to be far more challenging than I ever imagined.
Reaching out, making connections, and getting people to commit to a time and space to be photographed and filmed has been daunting. Scheduling shoots—especially when life inevitably gets in the way—has been a rollercoaster of cancellations, reschedules, and missed windows of creative momentum. I’ve often found myself thinking, “If only I had someone to help market the project and handle bookings…” Because truthfully, juggling it all solo is overwhelming.
My goal was to shoot four studio sessions per week—both photo and video. That number now feels like a distant dream, and the backlog is real. I want to give each woman and each story the time and space it deserves, but I also feel this growing urgency to catch up. There’s so much still to capture.
Ironically, the thing I didn’t expect to enjoy the most—street interviews—has become the most rewarding part so far. The conversations have been candid, insightful, and full of emotion. They’ve reminded me why I’m doing this in the first place.
I’ll be honest—I’m not a planner by nature. I thrive in the moment. I like to take in a shoot, feel the energy, and let the creativity lead. But when you're trying to execute a vision this big, spontaneous energy doesn’t always play nicely with schedules and deadlines.
In a perfect world? I’d shoot once, review everything the next day, then go back and shoot again with fresh inspiration and sharper vision. But this isn’t a utopia—it’s real life, with limited time and limited hands.
I’m sharing this not to complain, but to keep it real. This passion project is exactly that—driven by love and vision—but it’s also hard work. And I’m learning, growing, and adjusting as I go.
If you’re reading this and thinking, “I know someone who should be part of this,” or “I can help in some way,”—please reach out. Ink & Story is already unfolding into something powerful, and with a little more time and support, it could become something truly unforgettable.
