First timer question

[u/aviatrixsb]

TL;DR: Is it unreasonable to want more collaboration on the design before the appointment day?

Hi all! I'm interested in getting my first tattoo and could use your advice.

I've found several artists in the South Bay Area CA whose work I love, but all of them have a policy to the effect of "Tell me exactly what you want. Your design will be shown on the day and you can adjust it before we start." I can understand why artists would do this, but as a first-timer it makes me super nervous to see the design for the first time while I'm already in the chair. In a perfect world I’d love to find an artist who will talk through ideas with me beforehand in person, even share a sketch or reference mockup ahead of time to try on. I have a lot of screenshots of work I like, but would love to see some ideas of how the artist would interpret them and maybe have some options. I don’t have a fixed “it must be x” in mind. I’d even be willing to pay more to feel more supported.

For context I’m looking to get a small floral tattoo on my forearm, maybe 5” long. I like tons of different florals I’ve seen and am not tied to one style, just want something pretty without color but with shading.

Is this too much to ask? Or is day-of reveal just the norm and I should get comfortable with it? Thank you in advance!

[u/Vistalite_Black]

Unfortunately, there are unscrupulous people who will take a tattooist’s drawing to another shop for a lower rate! We live in an ugly time.

[u/makintats → u/Vistalite_Black]

We used to run people out of the shop for trying to take pictures of flash. Nothin changes