Great Wave, Austin, TX 2016
At the end of 2016, I had the silly idea to start a photo documentary project in Austin. I lived on a street with multiple tattoo shops and walked by them every day to work. Tattoo shops were something I really didn't know anything about but always interested me. Great Wave was the first tattoo shop I ever stepped into and I still feel insanely lucky I chose them first. I nervously asked an artist if I could take pictures as I shuffled through a super rough portfolio. They all turned to the nearly naked man getting work on his full bodysuit to get his input. He gave me the OK. I spent the next hour figuring out where to stand, what angles worked and how things operated in a shop.
The more time I spent in different shops the more I learned how special Great Wave was. They are known across the world for their take on traditional Japanese tattooing. At the time I went Jason Brooks, Ben Siebert, James Yocum and Matt Van Cura were working. Each artist had a different approach and style. They also worked on a lot of really big pieces. The stencil room is filled with full chest, full back and full suit sketches. I'm still insanely grateful they let me shoot that day and I always wonder what would of happened if they just kicked me out.
The more time I spent in different shops the more I learned how special Great Wave was. They are known across the world for their take on traditional Japanese tattooing. At the time I went Jason Brooks, Ben Siebert, James Yocum and Matt Van Cura were working. Each artist had a different approach and style. They also worked on a lot of really big pieces. The stencil room is filled with full chest, full back and full suit sketches. I'm still insanely grateful they let me shoot that day and I always wonder what would of happened if they just kicked me out.
If your interested in supporting this project feel free to purchase, Tattoo Shops of ATX from Belzel Books.
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