A Gift for the Tattooed Lady

August 12, 2013 1:27 PM

I have a friend who is very proud of her tattoos. I would like to get her a special gift. My first thought was a photography session, but her brother is a photographer and has already given her such sessions in the past. I had a crazy idea and I was wondering if there's any reality to it: Is there any such thing as scanning tattoos? For instance, like pressing the body part with the tattoo against a flatbed scanner and creating a high-quality artistic print of the tattoo itself? Or does this separate the tattoo for the reality of its place on her body in such a way to invalidate the whole purpose of it? If this is a stupid idea, can you suggest others? Thanks!
posted by jefficator to Human Relations (8 answers total)

Is there a reason you can't get her a giftcard for more tattoos from her favorite shop?? I would LOVE the funding for more tattoos and often have to save for months or longer. That means your gift is permanent, which is cooler to me than a photo session.

Otherwise a photo session is better for preserving tattoos, or you could commission a painting of her favorite tattoos/tattooed areas maybe? I still suggest funding a new tattoo though, but that depends on your budget - which isn't in your post.
posted by Crystalinne at 1:32 PM on August 12, 2013 [2 favorites]

As a non tattooed person who is friends with tattooed persons, I would agree with Crystalinne that it certainly seems that funding for tattoos would be the most appreciated thing.

As a photographic alternative, however, there's a hotel here in Chicago (the Dana) that has a lounge decorated with tattoo pics. Like, close up pictures of people's tattoos, hung all over the place (mostly on the ceiling). You can kind of see it in a picture here. Actually, their whole artistic schtick is tattoo themed. It's not my personal taste, but it is kind of a cool idea.
posted by phunniemee at 2:56 PM on August 12, 2013

Tattoos look great when in infrared. e.g. (self links). I'm not sure how you could find a photographer who can do that in your area, though. Post to CL?
posted by aubilenon at 3:25 PM on August 12, 2013 [1 favorite]

As a tattooed person, it's a really sweet idea, and I appreciate the thought, but my tattoos are already on me. I don't need a second copy hanging on my wall. If I want to see them, I can look down.

A gift card for more tattoo time would be amazing.
posted by mollymayhem at 3:26 PM on August 12, 2013

Response by poster: I appreciate the input!
posted by jefficator at 3:39 PM on August 12, 2013

Depending on the piece, an artistic representation of the tattoo would be cool.

Apart from that, more cash for a tattoo would also be cool.
posted by geek anachronism at 5:48 PM on August 12, 2013

If her tattoos are by or inspired by a particular artist or in a specific tradition, there are gorgeous lavish coffeetable books out there on tattoo art, if you're not comfortable with a gift card. They're quite pricey books, and would be a thoughtful way to acknowledge her tattoos and maybe inspire future work.
posted by viggorlijah at 8:32 PM on August 12, 2013

The major elements of my tattoo have great meaning for me, and I've received a couple very-thoughtfully-chosen gifts representing those elements that I've absolutely loved. So even if you can't figure out what to get her specifically for her tattoos, maybe find something that echoes their theme? A piece of art or literature, a nice arrangement of flowers, etc?
posted by rhiannonstone at 5:18 PM on August 13, 2013