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5 Things To Know When Choosing Your First Tattoo

Kevin Devoto
Tattoos can serve as the personal mosaic of your life or as an adornment of all pieces of craftsmanship and fine art. Regardless, these are often an incredibly personal experience for those who adorn their bodies with art. This creative expression can also be a big decision considering its permanent nature and outward statement.
When choosing a particular emblem, it is important to take into consideration the long-term commitment you are making and choose an option that best reflects your experience and visual articulation.

Telling Your Story and Supporting Causes

Many tattoos serve to tell a story or declare a particular vision. They may represent great struggles, care for a loved one, pay homage to heritage, or state a motto. Many artistic statements of support are created through the use of tattoos, such as the semicolon tattoo.
The semicolon is a powerful symbol that is often tattooed on those who support a movement to increase awareness and care for mental health issues, express the power of vulnerability through its outward presentation, and to remind those that may be struggling that there is someone out there who understands and cares about them.

Animal Tattoos

Animal-based tattoos can be a great option. Whether you are looking for strength with a tiger, vitality with a hummingbird, or power with a bear. Many of these animals hold a particular symbolization beyond the importance to the individual, so understanding the meaning behind the animal can provide an even more impactful piece of art.
Floral tattoos can also serve as a great option for first-time emblems who want to embrace nature. Flowers can often be attributed to purity, fragility, or hope, however, floral tattoo symbolization is vast.

Floral Tattoos

Several of the symbols can be attributed to various regions or countries, birth months, or hold cultural importance. While beautiful, these types of tattoos can be symbolic of far more than just a love of nature.

Style and Design

Styles and designs can vastly change the look and feel of any emblem. Tattoo artists and businesses may specialize in particular areas, and they can often provide a professional opinion. Two tattoos with the same basic design could vary completely if one has different shadowing, harsher colors, and stark lines.
It can be useful to discuss the style, look, and feel you are looking for with the artist before starting any work. It can be even more useful to bring along any visual aids or inspiration that you feel relates to your desired artistic outcome.
The placement of your tattoo can also be a very significant portion of the decision. Depending on where on your body you place the design can impact what artwork is possible, the relative amount of pain you experience during the process and how visible your visual statement is to the rest of the world.

Choosing Placement of Your First Tattoo

As with many other components of the decision-making process, this is also highly personal. It is important to assess all of the factors when choosing the placement of your first tattoo, and asking a professional any questions you have could also be helpful.
Tattoos are often a beautiful and artistic outward expression of someone’s story. It is important to consider the emblem that is right for you, as these are permanent and lasting. Before you decide to move forward with any tattoo choices, consider sleeping on your decision, taking your time, and know that this is often a very personal choice.
As you prepare for your appointment, it is important to find a reputable location, think about bringing along a friend and know what questions you have. After you have decided, remember to make a note of the specific care instructions to follow and enjoy the process of depicting your story with this new piece of art.