FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How much do you charge?

My hourly rate is $180 per hour. My minimum project price is $100.

I can give you a flat rate on most single session tattoos. If you have a specific budget, just me know, and I’m happy to see what we can work out. You might be surprised with what you can do with however much you have, and talking with me about it costs nothing.

Can I bring someone with me when I come in to get tattooed?

Sure, you can bring someone. You probably will only want to bring one person, as that is really all I have the space to accommodate during the actual process of doing the tattoo besides you and myself. It is worth noting that during longer sittings, your company may end up a little bored if they stay for the entirety of the appointment, so it’s a good idea to bring something to entertain themselves if they plan to hang out.

Where do you work?

Right now I work at Devine Street Tattoo in Columbia, South Carolina. I also guest spot fairly regularly in semi-local cities such as Charlotte, Charleston, Savannah, and others. If I am planning a guest spot, that will almost always be posted on my Instagram.

How far out do you book appointments?

Generally speaking, I can get you in within a few weeks during most of the year. Weekends tend to fill up faster, so the wait for a weekend appointment might be a bit longer, like a month or two. I tattoo walk-ins whenever I am available to do so as well.

What should I do to prepare for my appointment?

I do recommend you always eat a full meal within a couple hours of getting tattooed. It doesn’t hurt to make sure you’re appropriately hydrated. I also generally request people don’t drink a lot of alcohol within like 12 hours of their appointment solely because alcohol is a blood thinner and can make certain tattoos take a bit longer because of that. If you are getting tattooed on an area where you know your skin is a bit tougher or thicker, sometimes it can be helpful to apply a little lotion for a couple of days leading up to your appointment. Otherwise you don’t have to do anything particularly special before coming in.

Note: If you have a scrape, rash, sunburn, skin condition flare-up, cut, bruising, bug bites, feathers, or fins in the area you want to get tattooed when you come in, you may need to be prepared to be tattooed in a different spot or reschedule and possibly leave another deposit, depending on the situation.

Are there any tattoos you don’t do?

I am open to tattooing anything you’d like in whatever style you’d like in the vast majority of cases. I won’t do a tattoo if I have concerns over the tattoo negatively impacting the wearer’s life that I cannot reconcile within myself, if it is in any way related to hate or harmful prejudice of any kind, or if I cannot stand behind the application and longevity of the tattoo.

Do tattoos hurt?

Yep, a little. I generally compare the pain to a heated up (as in an actual sensation of heat) cat scratch. In other words, not necessarily pleasant feeling at face value, but not excruciating or painful beyond a mild discomfort. The sensation does vary a bit depending on placement and the type of application the style necessitates. The majority of places to get tattooed are entirely (and easily) bearable. A lot of people actually seem to appreciate the feeling after a while. I think there is something to the idea of the sensation of getting the tattoo being something that brings you back to the present moment, which can be very grounding.

Can I use a numbing cream?

I’m not going to tell you that you can’t use a numbing cream if you’d like, but I think it is worth considering experiencing the entirety of the process while getting tattooed, especially if you are getting a particularly important piece. I also generally apply a mild anesthetic throughout the tattoo process to help with the discomfort that can come with a tattoo. This anesthetic is almost exclusively Bactine. On the off chance you have an allergy, please notify me and indicate that in the appropriate section on your paperwork when you come in. If you are using a numbing cream or ointment, please make sure I know and which specific brand you are using.

Would you take on an apprentice?

No. I don’t have the time or attention that teaching someone to tattoo deserves. I may teach my kids one day if they have interest in tattooing, but otherwise do not plan on apprenticing anyone. I am happy to provide what advice I can on navigating entering the trade as well as whatever I may be able to help with for newer tattooers. Just hit me up directly.

If you still have questions, feel free to email me, and I will do my best to answer anything you’d like to ask!