In 1993 I was invited to shoot photos at a convention of tattoo artists in Pittsburgh called Meeting of the Marked. It was a fascinating afternoon meeting both the vendors and attendees. However, I remember one of the artists who stood out in more ways than one.
As I approached her booth she saw my camera and asked if I would take a photo of her latest tattoo. The woman behind her said "Go ahead. Show him. It's beautiful."
For some reason I expected her to roll up her sleeve. Instead, she unbuckled her jeans and pulled them down to show much more than just her tattoo.
Since I only had a 50mm lense it required me to get in close to capture the best detail. Photographers will back me up to explain why I ended up about five inches from her tattoo (at HER insistence, I'll add).
I honestly didn't stay any longer than necessary to get the picture. Someone must have been playing with the temp in the convention hall because I noticed it was much warmer than ten minutes ago. She buckled her pants and then delivered what I think is my favorite unintended punchline that had the small crowd laughing.
She turned to the woman behind her who had been watching me get this photo and said, "Hey Mom, let him take a picture of YOUR tattoo."
Thankfully Mom's rose tattoo was on her left shoulder.
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