BOOKING
HOW DO I BOOK?
my nyc books are always open on a rolling basis: you can fill out the form on my venue profile. . if i'm actively booking, you should hear from me within 1-5 days via the venue platform. if i'm not booking then, by filling out the form, you're on my nyc waitlist. whenever my books are next open, you will hear from me!
my dms are always open for questions and last minute bookings. otherwise, the booking form is the best way to get all the necessary information needed to schedule your appointment.
WHAT ABOUT WHEN YOU'RE TRAVELING?
travel announcements will be made on my instagram. there will be a separate booking form in my venue profile for when i’m guesting in a different city and a waitlist to request me to visit your city. you’ll receive an email from me if and when i’m booking in your city.
TYPES OF APPOINTMENTS?
flash are pre drawn pieces that are ready to be tattooed as is. they are not repeatable, unless stated, but can be modified and altered.
freehand tattoos are drawn directly onto the skin (as opposed to using a stencil transfer), which allows for the design to wrap and flow to each individual's body. my story highlights show some of the styles i do.
texture collab is the process i use to create a piece with a client on the day of the tattoo. this process typically starts with you looking through my flashbook, texturebook, and fragmentsbook, and pulling anything that speaks to you. once we have a library of things that you like, we can start to play around with cutting, mirroring, and flipping them until they fit the placement you have in mind. this appointment type is usually very collaborative. you may want to puzzle things together yourself or you may want to say yes/no to different arrangements that i come up with. this process can involve both flash and freehand.
customs require a $50 drawing fee. some examples of possible customs: meaningful patterns in your life, the spots on your fur babies, cool textures you come across, abstractions of a photo you took, etc. i will also do customs in my microrealism style!
WHAT ARE YOUR RATES?
i have a minimum of $200 and generally charge around $200/hr (not including the time for setup, stenciling, breaks).
quick pricing breakdown:
small/med (1-2 hrs) $200-400
large (3-4 hrs) $400-600
full day (5-6 hrs) $600-$1000
i will always give you an estimated quote after accepting your booking form! the estimate is based on the color, size, placement, and level of detail of the piece.
there is also an option to use a payment plan through paypal pay later or a custom bi-weekly/monthly payment plan. the tattoo will be paid in full by the appointment, with the last payment on the day of the appointment.
if you’re interested in something on the smaller/more budget friendly side, i do flash days often and prices for those are in the $50-200 range. i announce these on my instagram.
on the day of your appointment, i prefer cash but will take zelle, paypal, or venmo with an additional 8% sales tax.
SLIDING SCALE AND COLOR TESTS?
i believe that everyone should have access to tattooing as body and gender affirming care, and am more than happy to work within your budget. i offer sliding scale rates for black, indigenous, and/or trans folks—there is an option in the booking form to note if this applies to you.
i also offer free color tests to any melanated clients interested in getting color work from me. this is a great way to determine how colors will work with your skin tone and undertone and can even indicate any sensitivities or allergies. this is done a few weeks before the actual appointment to allow the skin to fully heal.
CANCELLATION POLICY
a $100 non-refundable deposit is required to confirm your appointment. for custom appointments, there is also a one-time $50 drawing fee. your deposit is applied toward your tattoo’s total cost, but your drawing fee is not.
i require 48-hours notice of rescheduling in order to maintain your deposit, and your deposit may be rolled forward one time. if you can provide more notice, please do! i also ask that you reschedule within 3 months of the initial appointment.
day-of cancellations are subject to a $50 cancellation fee.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE APPOINTMENT?
in the weeks leading up to your appointment, moisturize and exfoliate the area if you know the placement of your tattoo. no need to worry about shaving.
on the day of your appointment, make sure you are well rested, nourished, and hydrated. remember to bring your id, snacks and water, and anything you’d want to keep yourself entertained! you are my priority so if you prefer to chat, sit in silence, scroll on your phone, listen to music on your headphones, or switch between these things, it’s all okay!
wear or bring something comfortable, taking into account the placement of the piece. items with zippers/buttons are good for adjusting and i recommend wearing black as the ink does stain.
it’s also a good idea to bring cash and a mask! cash is my preferred method of payment but i will accept zelle, paypal, or venmo. note that any online payment methods are subject to an additional 8% sales tax. masking policies differ based on the studio i’m working at, but you can always request a masked appointment. if you are feeling unwell or have been exposed to covid, please reach out asap to reschedule!
HEALING AND TOUCHUPS?
your new tattoo is a fresh wound so treat it as such!! wearing clean, loose clothing is key. below is what i normally suggest for aftercare but, everyone's body heals a bit differently. if you have a routine that works for you, i generally recommend that. you know your body best!!
remove the second skin wrap after 1 - 3 days or when it naturally falls off. if it starts peeling away and the tattoo becomes exposed, remove the wrap! also, if you're noticing sweat bubbles with moisture starting to build up, remove the wrap immediately! generally, peeling it outwards (instead of just upwards, think removing a command strip) & in the shower under warm water hurts less.
after removing the wrap, wash the tattoo with antibacterial, unscented soap (always pump soap, never bar soap) and pat dry with a clean paper towel. use aquaphor or something gentle & unscented at most 2 - 3 times a day to keep it moisturized if it's feeling stiff. you only need a very minimal amount of product, you don't want to suffocate your new tat!
handpoked tats generally heal the same and a bit faster than machine tats. it’ll take ~2 weeks. you’ll notice it scab and become rlly itchy DO NOT SCRATCH. don’t submerge it/go swimming/bathing/saunaing until it heals. avoid exposing it to the sun and wear sunscreen once it heals!
***please keep in mind that because my tattoos are done by hand, your tattoo may differ once fully healed – everyone’s skin is different and results vary from person to person. as tattoos age, they become part of our skin. sharpness will soften, edges blur, colors lighten. blacks will often gray or heal with a blueish tone. white will warm closer to your skin color and has the chance of yellowing. the sun is a huge factor in how much a piece lightens, which is why it’s important to keep your fresh tattoo out of direct sunlight and to wear sunscreen on healed tattoos. personally, i love the way tattoos are ever-evolving with the body and i love the imperfections that come with handpoke. if that’s something you are resistant to, i’d recommend taking time to sit with the decision of a permanent piece before booking.
and pls send me healed pics! it helps me learn! usually after a month is perfect but if you wanna be a superstar, one after some time would be amazing too (6 months, 1 year, 5 years etc)
touch ups are always free and very welcomed. if you experience ink fall out or aren’t completely satisfied with your tattoo, please dm me with photos of your tattoo at least a month after the tattoo was completed and we will set up a touch up appointment!