"I am a canvas of my experiences, my story is etched in lines and shading, and you can read it on my arms, my legs, my shoulders, and my stomach. "

— Kat Von D



Unconventional is a study of people who have decided to have hand and knuckle tattoos. According to 2010 statistics, 29% of 16 to 44 year-olds in Britain have tattoos where as just 6% over 60 do. While tattoos have become more mainstream with the developments of tattooing methods and materials, there are still stigmas attached to tattoos and especially against people with very visible tattoos, such as on their hands or face. It is for this reason that I investigated a collection of people who have decided to try and break this taboo, my hope is that by placing images of so many people with hand tattoos all collected together will make the idea more mundane and could begin to break down this stereotype.

Tattoo Conventions have become a big thing in the UK recently, in 2011 there were 25 conventions spanning the whole of the country and more are appearing all the time. To meet and photograph these people I travelled the country to visit some of the biggest tattoo conventions in England, clocking up over 2000 miles in the process.



"Fashions change but tattoos are forever.” Colin Snow