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Top Fashion Models with Tattoos - A Reality Check
Fashion Models and Tattoos - A Reality Check This is for those models who either have a tattoo or want to get a small one... and being told by certain photographers how much of a no-no this is... and how much they won't get hired and that you don't have tattooed fashion models. ==>> Glamour models, you better listen to those guys who pay you for your beautiful, perfect and unblemished skin. Models with fashion aspiration... don't! I am talking about small tattoos... easily concealed under clothing... or on wrists, shoulders, back of the neck, under the breast, under the side of the arm on the torso, over the pubic area, on the ankle etc.) which can be covered with special makeup. Even those small tattoos frequently encounter staunch resistance by the conservative photographer. There is nothing wrong with that... but... don't advise the models with your own interest in mind. Over the years, as a runway/fashion shooter in NY, I have tried to explain all those nay-sayers about models with tattoos on the runway... no big tattoos... but small and mid sized ones. Some, like Omahyra Mota have a lot... and when I am shooting NY Fashion Week, I see tattoos all the time on the models... and sometimes, the designers put the same style fake tattoo on the models (e.g. Sass&Bide). Omahyra Mota Because I appreciate (nice) tattoos, being tattooed myself, and those endless discussions by people who don't even shoot fashion (sorry, guys, it's true, most of the anti-tattoo guys are people who shoot primarily glamour with minimal clothing, maximum skin) I am paying extra attention to models on the runways. As I always wrote... of course not every woman on the runway sports a tattoo... but there are enough to make them beyond a "minority". Tattoos are "hip", models are hip, many people who are working with the models (art directors, photographers, stylists, MUA's etc.) are tattooed... sometimes heavily... so the models get some too. They live in a world that is fully tattooed... for them, tattoos is a normal appearance. ANYBODY, who shoots runway or fashion in the industry can easily confirm what I am saying... there is a lot of ink on fashion people... a lot! But no... no matter what the reality is... guys still advise models against getting a tattoo, because it will limit them. Limit to whom? YOU ARE RIGHT, if you say it limits them because you refuse to shoot with a model because it's oh sooo difficult to photoshop, use concealer, dermablend... anything that your professional MUA on the set should really know about... and usually does... Now... let's take a look at some real life examples. The Huffington Post posted TODAY (Nov. 25, 2011) a brief article and put a slide show together with the title: Top Model Tats: Creative Ink From Our Favorite Runway Strutters Click on the slide show and you see some of the top models on the runway and in print with their little tattoos. More articles: New York Daily News: Heidi Klum shows off her model skills - and new tattoo! - at the Peabody Awards Fashionista.com Image of the Day: Model Tattoo at Galliano Fabsugar.com Love It or Hate It: tattoos on the runway (Several photos) Tattoo.com Model Ink: Oh-So-Sexy Tattoo's on the Catwalk I wonder... if the categorically anti tattoo shooter, has the chance to work with Chanel Iman, Alessandra Ambrosia, Heidi Klum, Kate Moss,... etc., would he deny the model the entry into their studio because the model is sporting such a horrible tattoo? Can you honestly say that you would do that? So... if you would shoot a tattooed top model and she wouldn't conceal it... why wouldn't you shoot an "unknown" model... equally or more beautiful, just because she has a little ink that is personal to them? Is there a double standard? I know I won't change the photographer's opinion... but, at the same time, I hope to be able to encourage the model who wants to get one, to get it... but getting it for the right reason (and not peer pressure etc.). If it's personal... and important... think hard, but also about the consequences and placement. Sincerely udor P.S.: I am tired now... but if you do a simple Google search "Tattooed Runway Models", you get more articles, but I think I may have my point. Nov 24 11 11:49 pm Link So you're using exceptions to the rule, to prove the rule is wrong? Because there is a HUGE difference between getting a small tattoo, and getting what you posted as an example. You also linked to a niche page, Tattoo.com, to prove you can do it. That makes no sense. Of course you could model for tattoo.com. If you DIDN'T have tattoos, they wouldn't want you. Yes, many models have tattoos, that doesn't mean everyone can get them how they want and cover themselves head to toe and still book work. Also, when is a tattoo too big? When is it too obstructive? If a model has a tattoo on her hip, and she's doing a catalog shoot, and it's covered by clothes, isn't that a Schroedinger's Cat quandary? Nov 25 11 12:02 am Link Mnemosyne - Projects wrote: Errr... have you READ any of the articles in question, including the tattoo.com one? Nov 25 11 12:07 am Link you seem to be caught in a bit of a time warp Udor the tattoo craze is passing and less and less fashion models are getting even small ones Nov 25 11 12:15 am Link If you are Heidi, you can do pretty much anything you want. And it might be somewhat hip...now. Perhaps not tomorrow. And change of fashion for tattoos is not the same of change of hair colour. Or even weight. Takes a little more effort. And if you are an in demand top model (not even super) then perhaps the effort to hide the tattoo is worth it. For the rest, maybe not so much. Whatever may cause more effort, is going to be a career slower, unless your career is already established. Nov 25 11 12:17 am Link udor wrote: No I didn't. But I don't need to. Fads come and go, and tattoos are a fad like any other, they're just more tolerable. That doesn't mean they're acceptable. Nov 25 11 12:20 am Link Garry k wrote: Has nothing to do with any kind of time warp Garry. Nov 25 11 12:25 am Link udor wrote: Mnemosyne - Projects wrote: Oh? Okay... I also wrote about who the anti-tattoo shooters primarily are and you come in, not reading, but having an opinion that isn't even skin deep because you didn't read but reacted. Nov 25 11 12:30 am Link udor wrote: Ummm, yeah, it kind of does. If it's passing, they won't get work, in which case this is a moot issue. udor wrote: How so? Retouching costs money. Assuming it's a tattoo that can't be covered by something, that means more photoshopping. So two models walk into a go see, one has less tattoos, which one gets picked? Nov 25 11 12:30 am Link udor wrote: My opinion stands, regardless of having read the articles, which I did after you responded.. You just chose to ignore that part. Or did you just have nothing to counter my point? Nov 25 11 12:31 am Link Mnemosyne - Projects wrote: What's your point? Nov 25 11 12:34 am Link udor wrote: Yes. THIS is the best way to win people over. Nov 25 11 12:59 am Link Wow, I read the article and I will still go with the majority here on this one. Why advise models to do something that just might cost them a gig to a model of the same grade who doesn't have a tattoo? I did read part of the articles, and I'll agree with you that it indicates a designer may have a temporary tattoo placed on a model. But I think the key word here is "temporary" and if being so, why have it compete with a tattoo already on the body part that has nothing to do with what the designer had in mind? I'll agree with you that some photographers may give advice based on their own interest and beliefs with no real fact to back up what they are saying. Now in all fairness, how does encouraging models to do so based off an article with nameless models help their situation? A model at Fashion Week with a tattoo doesn't set a rule. A model at fashion week with a tattoo who also appears in the top magazines, and is well sought after in the industry would be considered the exception to the rule. Nov 25 11 01:58 am Link I agree with Udor. I went to 7 major shows, backstage and all, this past NYC Fashion Week and saw plenty of ink close up. None were very big, like a sleeve for example (and which no one will recommend), but ink it was. Also, some of you need to catch up and update yourselves. Most of the models featured in the articles are indeed quite well known in fashion circles. Nov 25 11 02:16 am Link This is actually refreshing to see. I've seemed to already condem myself to a life of 'no fashion' because I've got tattoos that are easily cover-able. I've got no problem doing the covering myself, but still, I've gotten some of the harshest criticism from photographers who are anti-tattoo. I've got my own Dermablend and I know how to use it. Seriously, instead of having me cover them, some would rather bitch that they are there. That I had the 'nerve to tarnish my body.' C'mon guys, let's not be borderline offensive idiots. Because that verbal assault will not benefit the model or you, especially if you're ranting while you're shooting. From a models POV, I know not everyone's going to be into them, but rarely am I asked to cover them. I've got the list of what I have on my profile and you can see them in my port, so there are no surprises. Some see the tattoos, cue the look of disgust (c'mon dude, I'm nude... get that look off of your damn face), launch into a tirade about my tattoos, career and how I'll never be able to do fashion, all the while they are shooting me without clothes on. -_- Never once mentioning that it'll hamper my nude work... Talk about uncomfortable situation. So, what you're saying is that when people can see my skin and tattoos it's ok, but if I'm covered up doing fashion then it's absolutely out of the question? Hm, your reasoning smells like crap. I don't buy it. Now, I have had photographers tell me that they don't want to shoot because I have tattoos. That's fine, that's upfront and honest. I actually appreciate it, but what's with the passive aggressive attitude some have about tattoos? They'll shoot you, but not like it because you have tattoos and decide that it's in your benefit for them to tell you what they think is wrong. Where do you get off? You MUST have had a shitty morning if you're going to start with me like that, but you will not finish if you continue. There's a difference between constructive criticism and just being an asshole in a bad mood. And that's something that goes deeper than any tattoo. Now that I think about it, I have noticed that the ones with the most criticism have mostly been glamour photographers, because the fine art ones against tattoos will just tell me no, flat out. Nov 25 11 03:02 am Link Did... did Huffington Post just say "Lolz!"? Nov 25 11 03:04 am Link Mnemosyne - Projects wrote: First... I don't play games... I am too old and have no patience for games. Nov 26 11 12:44 am Link If you want to know whether tattoos are a career killer or a career obstacle for models just ask the people who are pertinent to the industry: Bookers, model agencies, art directors. Or better: art directors, bookers, model agencies - in this order. Then you will know. Otherwise just use logic thinking. There are customers who are opposed to models with tattoos and there are customers who are not. A model with tatoos needs customers who are not opposed to tattoos. A model without tatoos does not have to care about this at all. Even if a customer wants a tatoed model. She/he may use fake tattoos in that case. (By the way: this has the big advantage that you can take a fake tattoo that fit's exactly to the upcoming job. And do not have to take what comes along.) Nov 26 11 04:50 am Link I wouldn't deny Kate Moss ANYTHING! Nov 26 11 09:30 am Link Models with tattoos should be banned from all runways worldwide and be forced onto there hands and knees to be used as human chairs backstage at NY fashion week so that the true high fashion models without tattoos can sit on there backs while they are getting there hair and make-up done. Nov 26 11 02:24 pm Link Some random thoughts, in random order: >>> Photographers who don't like tattoos are not necessarily "conservative". >>> Keep in mind that sometimes it is the client who vetoes the tattooed model. >>> Comparing an aspiring model to some of the top supermodels is unfair and could mis-set the aspiring model's expectation... ... "Hey, Angelina Jolie has tons of tattoos & gets all sorts of jobs", ... "Honey, you ain't Angelina Jolie." >>> To the models who wonder whether a tattoo will impact their job opportunities: ... Look at tons of pictures (magazines, portfolios, ads, etc.), ... Collect the ones that feature models in your genre, ... Are tattoos visible in these photographs? ... That is a hint to your answer. >>> Note: often, aspiring models ask whether getting a tattoo will impact their job opportunities. Everything a model does that impacts her appearance will impact her opportunities. >>> Note: often models ask whether a tattoo will impact their opportunities. Some people attempt to answer that question. Others attempt to answer "should this person get a tattoo?" -- which is an entirely different question. >>> "But a tattoo can be covered by makeup" or "But a tattoo can be photoshopped out": true, but... ... Doing so takes time, ... Doing so increases expenses, ... Doing so is often imperfect, ... Makeup rubs off, requires retouching, gets on clothes, sets, etc. >>> Modeling is a competitive business. The presence of a tattoo is a differentiator, when compared to the model's competition. >>> In my opinion, photographing a tattoo is copying someone else's art. Nov 26 11 02:48 pm Link veypurr wrote: Psychotic extremist much? Nov 26 11 03:20 pm Link lol, busy but will post a reply later Nov 26 11 04:02 pm Link LexLethal wrote: There is no way on earth that you could have thought I wrote that with any type of seriousness. Human chairs? Banned from all runways? come on now, your smarter than that...... Nov 26 11 05:13 pm Link LexLethal wrote: I think it was a joke. lol Nov 26 11 05:30 pm Link veypurr wrote: I am, but I don't put it past anyone to have that attitude given my past experiences with the overzealous tattoo haters. Especially not in this industry... some people's children, I tell ya. Nov 26 11 07:02 pm Link I have a very large tattoo on my back. This tattoo has gotten me a lot of work! I have had many photographers ask to shoot me just so they can get pictures of my tattoo. I have even had shoot that was all about my tattoo. I have not had a photographer complain about my tattoo. My tattoo has never taken away from my beauty. No I am not a high fashion model, but I do know a few and they have tattoos as well and they have never heard anything bad about their ink. Tattoos are like make up, they add to the beauty! Nov 26 11 10:41 pm Link Looknsee Photography wrote: Sorry, I couldn't find a better term at the time, arriving at it after terms that could easily have been considered offensive. By "conservative" I meant the views on tattoos (not nudity of course) and more often than not, the geographic location is often in more conservative (red state, bible belt) areas. >>> Keep in mind that sometimes it is the client who vetoes the True... but at a casting/go see where 300 models being looked at, 15 models being needed... the selection often has nothing to do with the tattoos, and in that case, 285 models being rejected, most of them without tattoos (I have been part of those castings). Ergo: Not having a tattoo doesn't guarantee you the job either! >>> Comparing an aspiring model to some of the top supermodels is unfair and could You are absolutely correct. That is not fair... and it's also not the reality. Although the Huffington Post used the supermodels in their article. >>> To the models who wonder whether a tattoo will impact their job opportunities: Sorry, but that is not a hint... because there is something that is called Dermablend and other products, then there is clothing covering the bodies... (after all, we are talking about fashion, right!) and still... you see the tattoos... but from a fashionshow... the photos being shown in the media have rarely to do with the model, it's actually about the design of that particular outfit (look). >>> Note: often, aspiring models ask whether getting a tattoo will impact their Absolutely, without any counter-argument, correct! >>> Note: often models ask whether a tattoo will impact their opportunities. Some Good distinction! I too don't recommend anybody just to get a tattoo... ever! I am against (personally) random, thoughtless tattoo choices based on fads... Tattoos are too serious for me, with consequences in society in general (now by far not as much, because of all the celebrities with tattoos) and impact to yourself... that a tattoo will less likely being regretted if thoroughly thought about beforehand. >>> "But a tattoo can be covered by makeup" or "But a tattoo can be photoshopped It's the models own responsibility to be able to cover the tattoo with specialized makeup (doesn't just rub off... it's not a pimple concealer for the face!) and the responsibility of the photographer to know about those things. >>> Modeling is a competitive business. The presence of a tattoo is a That is correct but it is much less dramatic than the art/glamour crowd wants to scare the model off. [b]IF she has the LOOK, people want her... and having a tattoo won't matter, because it may add "edginess" to the look. >>> In my opinion, photographing a tattoo is copying someone else's art. That's a whole other topic. Maybe tattooed people shouldn't get photographed at all then? Nov 27 11 08:23 am Link Kirsti Harmston wrote: I saw your large tattoo and I will be the first one to tell you that I have no interest in shooting anyone's tattoo. Unless they paying me to shoot their tattoos. If I was to do swimsuit, fashion, editorial, etc, I am only interested in shooting model and have no interest in model's tattoo. Tattoos are OK if they do not cause distraction or it is hidden where it can't be seen for some of the projects. Nov 27 11 08:33 am Link Looknsee Photography wrote: udor wrote: I'm not suggesting anything like a ban on tattoos; I'm just saying that I am uncomfortable photographing them and/or covering them up. Nov 27 11 08:40 am Link Once the baby boomer generation finally dies out, no one will care. Nov 27 11 08:49 am Link I want to learn tattoo removal. It's going to be a boom industry pretty soon when people realise they are just a fad and look like crap when they get older and the tatts fade. There will be more people trying to get the things removed than put on. Why the hell anyone would do something so permanant and expensive and painful to have recitfied to themselves as a trend or fashion thing is beyond me. Yeah, yeah, I'll cop a load for saying all this but like other things I have said that have been unpopular, the fullness of time will prove what i'm saying to be perfectly true. Nov 27 11 12:32 pm Link ChanStudio - OtherSide wrote: what are you, some type of communist? Of course we should impose our views, values, morals and thoughts on others!!! That is what we do!!!! Nov 27 11 12:53 pm Link udor wrote: Yes I have by now shot around 400 fashion shows and as I stated earlier I am seeing less and less tattoos Nov 27 11 01:32 pm Link Just one short question for the OP. My own experience is in commercial photography and tats are few and far between. My question is, did those models doing the runway get their tats after they became established or did they have them as novices trying for their first gig? Nov 27 11 02:29 pm Link Actually there is a new product I saw the video on you tube that conceals tattoos or skin disorders perfectly. In the video they used Zombie Boy. I believe you are right about models with tattoos because a photographer or retoucher does not want to spend hours trying to get rid of your tattoos. Time is money. Nov 27 11 02:57 pm Link glumpy wrote: Why do people prefer to spew nonsense instead of actually educating themselves. Do people like looking like raging idiots? Nov 27 11 03:02 pm Link Nov 27 11 04:32 pm Link veypurr wrote: I actually find this disrespectful. Some tattoos are stupid, and I'm not denying that. When you see my tattoos they tell you about who I am as a person. They tell you about my family, my religion, my life. Just because they set you apart and have some kind of stupid stone age reputation doesn't make you any less beautiful or any less capable of working a runway. Nov 27 11 09:08 pm Link Garry k wrote: I still have the same definition what constitutes a "real tattoo"... for me... Nov 27 11 11:25 pm Link |