John McIntire Photography: The Blog

My Tattoo Project – So Far

Back at the end of September, I posted my open casting for people with tattoos to get involved with a project idea I had had spinning around my head for the longest of time. To be honest, I expected little interest, except maybe from some people I had worked with before. I really couldn’t have underestimated it more. The response from everyone has been utterly fabulous and in these short few months I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and photographing some of the most extraordinary and interesting people.

The project itself is far from over. I have a fair few shoots still lined up and I’m quite a way off from being finished with the concept myself, so hopefully, there will be a good many to come!

In the meantime, I figured it’s well beyond time I shared with everyone, who has expressed interest, a selection of the images so far produced in this endeavour!

I just want to, once again, express my complete and absolute appreciation to ever one of the wonderful people who have so far come to help me out with this project. You guys are brilliant!! Thank you!

Of course, if you’re tattooed and you like what you see here, well, you know where to find me!

Project: Tattoos – Subjects Needed

*This post was updated on 08/06/2010*

After a long time delaying, I have decided to start working on a body of personal work. The project I have decided to start with will revolve solely around tattoos and body modifications.

The aim is to build up a stylised and comprehensive body of work which displays the intricacies and the profound statements often made by tattoos and their ilk and the relation with whom they adorn.

I have now decided that the output of the project will be a self-published book and a limited run of fine-art prints. Anyone who takes part should be happy with these uses!

The Concept

As simply is possible, the underlying point of the entire project is to illustrate how tattoos are a integral facet of each individual. Their interests, their personalities and their lives. Most tattoos are an incredibly personal statement that usually transcend fashions and other fleeting aspects of culture.

Basically, what I’m looking for is anyone with tattoos. No matter how large or small, how intricate or simple, any tattoos will do. Also, I’m looking for people of all shapes and sizes, both male and female, all races and all ages. You don’t need to be or think you are model material, this project is about you and your bodyart, it is a study, if you will, into tattoos and the people whom they adorn and this project was concieved with “real” people specifically in mind.

To anyone who wishes to participate: basically, what I need, is for you to kindly donate an hour or so of your time to allow to me to create a portrait of you and your bodyart.

IMPORTANT: The nature of this concept calls for at least “implied nudity”. To keep it simple, this means that you will be nude (depending on where your tattoo is located*); however, nothing that you wish not to be visible will be displayed. I will never seek to push anyone beyond their limits and my primary concern will always be the comfort of you as the subject, the image itself is the second priority. If you are not comfortable with this, I will not push; however, it is required to ensure uniformity throughout the final body of work. (All images in this revised post are “implied nude”)

To see more samples of the project in progress, just ask!

*If your tattoo(s), for example are above your neckline, a headshot will suffice. If they are well above your waistline, then only “implied topless” is needed.

If you’re interested, please get in touch and we’ll get something sorted! (Alternatively, feel free to use Facebook to contact me if that’s easier for you.)

Photoshoot: Tamara-Marie

Here, I present you with a shoot that had been a long, long time in the making! About a year and a half to be fairly precise!

Tamara-Marie and I had been discussing the prospect of a shoot since the early days of both our portfolios. Unfortunately, distance and other committments and the ilk frequently through a plethora of spanners, screwdrivers, hammers and anything else you can name into the works.

Eventually, we said enough was enough. We picked a few concepts, set a date and just went for it.

They say good things come to those who wait. This is certainly one instance where old adages prove theirselves with merit!

With but a handful of wigs and a few strong concepts, Tamara-Marie’s versatility and natural abilities really shone through throughout the shoot! In just three sets, we managed to get a wealth of variety and, in my opinion, some wonderfully graphic images. This, I gleefully admit, is all to the credit of such a wonderfully gifted and all over lovely model!

But of course, there is no proof in words, only in photos! Enjoy!

As always, thank you very kindly for your time! I do hope you enjoyed this set even half as much as I enjoyed making it!