Blog

All the incredible photos you need to see from this year’s London Tattoo Convention

Click here to view original web page at metro.co.uk
All the incredible photos you need to see from this year's London Tattoo Convention
Stunning. (Picture: Alamy)

This weekend, more than 400 tattoo artists and tens of thousands of tattoo enthusiasts will gather at London’s Tobacco Docks, for one glorious celebration of all things body art.

Yup. It’s time for the London Tattoo Convention – a three-day festival where tattoo enthusiasts can come to show off their skills, display their ink, chat about their passion for body art, and – of course – get tatted by some of the best artists in the industry.

It’s a brilliant place of acceptance and inspiration, where for a few days, people can proudly show off their art in front of people who will truly appreciate it.

Don’t worry if you can’t make it down, though. We’ve rounded up some of the most incredible photos from the first two days of events.

Tattoo enthusiast, Arianna Gamberoni , at the London Tattoo convention in Shadwell, East London. . 23 September 2016.
(Picture: Alamy)

A few people were happy to bare everything.

epa05553616 A tattoo enthusiast poses for photos at the London Tattoo Convention in London, Britain, 23 September 2016. The International London Tattoo Convention runs from 23 to 25 September brings together tattoo artists from the US, Australia, Canada, Japan and UK. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA
(Picture: EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA)

While others were there to get a new addition to their collection.

Tattooing at the London Tattoo convention in Shadwell, East London. . 23 September 2016.
(Picture: Alamy)
Tattooing at the London Tattoo convention in Shadwell, East London.
(Picture: Alamy)
Alamy Live News. H1AM45 Wapping, London, UK, 23 Sept 2016 London International Tattoo Convention 2016, London Dock © Mark Baynes / Alamy Live News This is an Alamy Live News image and may not be part of your current Alamy deal . If you are unsure, please contact our sales team to check.
(Picture: Alamy)

There were quite a few hardcore tattoo fans.

Tattoo enthusiast, Joni Makinen, at the London Tattoo convention in Shadwell, East London. . 23 September 2016.
(Picture: Alamy)

You’re totally excused if the sight of all these head tattoos makes you cringe in vicarious pain.

Tattoo on top of the head of a tattoo enthusiasts at the London Tattoo convention in Shadwell, East London.
(Picture: Alamy)

But at the London Tattoo Convention, few things are out of the ordinary.

Tattoo enthusiasts, Meigin and Seoyul from South Korea, at the London Tattoo convention in Shadwell, East London. . 23 September 2016.
(Picture: Alamy)

And you’d struggle to find someone with only the tiniest, most minimal design.

Tattooing at the London Tattoo convention in Shadwell, East London.
(Picture: Getty)

This is not for the faint of heart.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: A man receives a tattoo on his shoulder at the International London Tattoo Convention at Tobacco Dock on September 23, 2016 in London, England. Hundreds of people will descend on Tobacco Dock in east London today as over 400 tattoo artists from around the world showcase their work on the first day of the 12th International London Tattoo convention. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)
(Picture: Jack Taylor/Getty Images)
Tattoo enthusiasts pose at the International London Tattoo Convention in London, Britain September 23, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
(Picture: REUTERS/Neil Hall)
Tattoo enthusiast, Matteo Pasolini , at the London Tattoo convention in Shadwell, East London. . 23 September 2016.
(Picture: Alamy)

(Although tattoo newbies are always welcomed)

Tattoo enthusiast, Mike Geringer, at the London Tattoo convention in Shadwell, East London. . 23 September 2016.
(Picture: Alamy)

There are LOTS of knuckle tattoos.

epa05553642 A tattoo enthusiast poses for photos at the London Tattoo Convention in London, Britain, 23 September 2016. The International London Tattoo Convention runs from 23 to 25 September brings together tattoo artists from the US, Australia, Canada, Japan and UK. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA
(Picture: EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA)

Of all kinds of themes and designs.

A tattoo enthusiast poses at the International London Tattoo Convention in London, Britain September 23, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall
(Picture: REUTERS/Neil Hall)

Seriously, there are so many tattooed knuckles.

epa05553638 A tattoo enthusiast poses for photos at the London Tattoo Convention in London, Britain, 23 September 2016. The International London Tattoo Convention runs from 23 to 25 September brings together tattoo artists from the US, Australia, Canada, Japan and UK. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA
(Picture: EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA)

People from all over the world come to the convention to get involved.

A tattoo enthusiast poses at the International London Tattoo Convention in London, Britain September 23, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall
(Picture: REUTERS/Neil Hall)

And to talk about how tattoos are viewed in their country’s culture.

NOTE NUDITY Meagan (left) and Seoyul, both from South Korea, attending the London International Tattoo Convention at Tobacco Dock in London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday September 23, 2016. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire
(Picture: Yui Mok/PA Wire)

It’s great.

A tattoo artist sprays antiseptic wash onto a tattoo being drawn onto a customer's leg during the London International Tattoo Convention at Tobacco Dock in London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday September 23, 2016. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire
(Picture: Yui Mok/PA Wire)

Even if you’re only there to marvel at how brilliant everyone else’s tattoos are.

A woman is tattooed at the International London Tattoo Convention in London, Britain September 23, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall
(Picture: REUTERS/Neil Hall)

Because yes, tattoo envy is a real thing.

Body modification artist Shiva 108 during the London International Tattoo Convention at Tobacco Dock in London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday September 23, 2016. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire
(Picture: Yui Mok/PA Wire)

Because a lot of the time, you don’t feel like you could pull off a design quite as gloriously as someone else does.

A tattoo enthusiast poses at the International London Tattoo Convention in London, Britain September 23, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall
(Picture: REUTERS/Neil Hall)

Or you’re not quite brave enough to go for the placement they’ve chosen.

A tattoo enthusiast poses at the International London Tattoo Convention in London, Britain September 23, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall
(Picture: REUTERS/Neil Hall)

The important thing is that you’re there to appreciate body art in all its forms.

A tattoo enthusiast poses at the International London Tattoo Convention in London, Britain September 23, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall
(Picture: REUTERS/Neil Hall)

Because the tattooing world welcomes everyone.

Tattoo enthusiast Lasse Risvik poses at the International London Tattoo Convention in London, Britain September 23, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall
(Picture: REUTERS/Neil Hall)

You can be anyone.

Tattoo enthusiast Araceli Forever poses at the International London Tattoo Convention in London, Britain September 23, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall
(Picture: REUTERS/Neil Hall)

You can have any preference or style.

A man is tattooed at the International London Tattoo Convention in London, Britain September 23, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall
(Picture: REUTERS/Neil Hall)
Tattoo enthusiast, Durga, at the London Tattoo convention in Shadwell, East London. . 23 September 2016.
Tattoo enthusiast, Durga, at the London Tattoo convention in Shadwell, East London. . 23 September 2016.
Tattoo enthusiast, Kristina Geringer, at the London Tattoo convention in Shadwell, East London. . 23 September 2016.
(Picture: Alamy)

As long as you like tattoos, you’re in.

A tattoo enthusiast poses at the International London Tattoo Convention in London, Britain September 23, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall
(Picture: REUTERS/Neil Hall)

And you’ll have at least one thing in common with everyone there.

A tattoo enthusiast poses at the International London Tattoo Convention in London, Britain September 23, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall
(Picture: REUTERS/Neil Hall)
A tattoo enthusiast poses at the International London Tattoo Convention in London, Britain September 23, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall
(Picture: REUTERS/Neil Hall)

Which is lovely, really.

Tattoo enthusiasts, Emiy Ding with her baby Dylan Ding, at the London Tattoo convention in Shadwell, East London. . 23 September 2016.
(Picture: Getty)

Let’s get tatted.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment.
September 27, 2016
Reviews
Leave a Review