The consultations that go best are the ones where the person walks in with a messy phone album, a rough idea of where the tattoo goes, and a straight answer to "what do you want to feel when you look at this in ten years?" The ones that stall are usually missing something simple: a decent photo, a clear placement, or any sense of budget. Here is what I'd bring if I were sitting on your side of the table.
Reference images, but the right kind
Bring more than one. A single Pinterest screenshot tells me what you like. Five or six images tell me what you keep coming back to, and that is the useful part. I'm looking for patterns: heavy contrast, soft fades, lots of fine detail, bold color.
A few notes on photos:
- Portraits and pets: bring the original file, not a screenshot of a text thread. Realism lives or dies on detail in the eyes, fur, and skin texture, and a compressed image has already lost it. Good light and a sharp focus matter more than a flattering pose.
- Landscapes: a photo you took yourself of a place that means something to you is better than a stock image. It also gives the piece a real story.
- Multiple angles: if you want a person or animal, bring a few photos, not one. Sometimes the best expression is in one picture and the best pose is in another.
One honest caveat: bringing another artist's tattoo as a reference doesn't mean I'll copy it. I'll use it to understand the style you want and then design something that is yours. Copying another artist's finished work isn't something I do.
Know where it's going, and show me
Placement changes the design more than people expect. A portrait that looks great on a calf can fall apart on a wrist. Skin curves, stretches, and moves, and the design has to work with that.
Wear clothing that gives easy access to the area you have in mind. If it's a shoulder, wear a tank top. If it's a ribcage piece, a loose shirt you can lift. Seeing the actual spot lets me think about size, flow, and how the piece will sit with what's already on your body.
If you have existing tattoos near the area, I'll want to see those too, especially if the new piece needs to blend with them or cover part of one.
A budget and a rough size
This is the one people skip because it feels awkward. Please don't skip it. If you tell me the number you're comfortable with, I can tell you honestly what that buys: the size, the level of detail, and whether it makes sense to do it in one session or several.
Large black and gray realism or full color work takes real hours, and I would rather talk through that at the start than surprise you later. If your budget and your idea don't line up yet, there are usually options, like starting with a smaller version, phasing the piece, or simplifying parts of the design. I can't always give you an exact price on the spot, since it depends on the final design, but I can give you a realistic range once I see the idea.
Your calendar, roughly
Bring a sense of your schedule, especially if there is a deadline like a wedding, a trip, or a memorial date. Big pieces take time to design and time to book, so if there is a date you care about, say so early.
Also think about sun exposure. Here in Western Massachusetts, a lot of people spend summer weekends outside, and a fresh tattoo needs to stay out of direct sun while it heals. If you have a beach trip or a long hike planned, tell me so we can pick a sensible window.
Your ID, and any health details
Bring a government photo ID if you plan to book on the spot. Massachusetts requires you to be 18 to get a tattoo, and I'll need to confirm that before any work happens.
It also helps to mention anything health related that could affect healing: skin conditions, blood thinners, allergies, or whether you are pregnant. You don't need documents for this at a consultation, just honest answers. Better I hear it now than on the day of the session.
What to leave at home
- A finished design from the internet that you expect me to trace. I'd rather work from your ideas and build something original.
- A rush. If you're hoping to decide, design, and get tattooed in the same hour, a consultation isn't the right format. Give the idea room.
- A big group. One friend is fine. A crowd makes it hard to hear what you actually want.
Questions worth asking me
A consultation goes both ways. You're deciding whether I'm the right artist for this piece. Ask to see healed work in the style you want, not just fresh photos. Ask how I'd approach the design, how many sessions I'd expect, and how aftercare works. If something I say doesn't sit right, that is a good sign to pause, not push ahead.
If your idea leans more toward realism, portraits, animals, or landscapes, that fits what I do at M. Jones Tattoos. I also paint, build sculpture, and do murals, so if your idea starts as a tattoo and turns out to want a different medium, we can talk about that too.
Before you come in
If you're not sure whether your idea is ready, that's normal. Bring what you have: a few photos, a rough sense of placement, a budget range, and a willingness to talk it through. To set up a consultation, call +1 (413) 366-3685 or visit mjonestattoos.com.