FAQs

HOW I WORK

What does your freehand tattoo process involve?
I offer a collaborative, freehand approach to tattooing. The design takes form directly on the skin on the day of the appointment, following an in-person consultation where we discuss your idea, preferred placement, how you picture the tattoo on your body and the scale you have in mind.

The plants may come from stories about places, people and meaningful moments. Alternatively, you may simply begin with an interest in how my work looks and sits on the body.

Together, we’ll consider the area you’d like to tattoo and how the composition can sit within it. Rather than applying a fixed image to the skin, we develop a composition in response to your body and the scale of the tattoo.

Is this way of working right for me?
This way of working tends to suit people who appreciate a collaborative experience and who are open to exploring placement together, as well as different ways of representing their chosen flora on the body.

Some people come with many tattoos already, while others are getting their first. What they often share is an openness to letting the composition develop in relation to their body, rather than following a fixed, pre-designed idea.

While the process is collaborative, I use a clear method to guide decisions around composition, placement and balance. I’m always happy to talk through the reasoning behind those choices as we go.

If you need to see a fully defined design prepared in advance, this may not be the right fit.

I’m getting my first tattoo. Is that okay?
Yes. Many people who come to me are getting their first tattoo.

You don’t need to know exactly what you want or how the process should work. We’ll talk things through together, and nothing moves forward until you feel comfortable with the decisions being made.

My role is to guide you through the process and make sure there is time for questions and adjustments before tattooing begins.

How do you work with the body and body confidence?
I work with people of all body sizes. Together, we consider placement, scale, movement and flow so the composition responds to your individual body rather than feeling imposed.

If a particular area feels uncomfortable, the solution isn’t always tattooing directly over it. Often, it’s about redirecting attention in a way that feels balanced and respectful of the body as it is.

I’m mindful that different areas can carry different sensitivities. We’ll take time to talk things through, check in along the way and work at a pace that feels comfortable. Nothing is assumed, and decisions can always be adjusted as we go.

The studio setup and working position can also be adjusted according to the area being tattooed and any needs discussed beforehand.

Can you tattoo all skin tones?
Yes. I work with a wide range of skin tones. Contrast, shading and use of negative space are adjusted depending on the skin, and we take this into account during the drawing process.

My priority is that the tattoo reads clearly, ages well and feels balanced on your body.

PROJECTS I TAKE ON

What kinds of projects are you most interested in?
I’m interested in botanical compositions at different scales, including one-day projects and larger pieces that develop across the body over several sessions. The plants can come from a personal memory or relationship.

You can also come simply because you like my work. In that case, we can choose the plants in response to your body, the placement you’re considering and the aspects of my work you are most drawn to.

Do you only work with botanical imagery?
Yes. I work exclusively with plants and botanical imagery. I don’t add animals, insects, lettering or other non-botanical elements to my compositions.

I don’t copy tattoos or designs created by other artists.

Do you take on smaller projects?
Yes. I take on smaller botanical pieces as half-day appointments, although availability for these sessions is more limited. As a general guide, the smallest pieces I take on are around 10 × 15 cm.

For half-day sessions, I work on forearms, inner biceps and areas around the feet and ankles, where I can still create a composition that wraps around the area within the shorter appointment. Larger or more delicate areas require at least a full-day session.

What placements do you work with?
I work with all areas of the body. Placement and composition are considered in relation to your body shape, the available space and the scale of the project. Hands, fingers, feet, toes and neck are generally taken on when they form part of a larger composition.

If you’re unsure how your idea might work in a particular area, you’re welcome to include it in your enquiry. During our consultation, we can assess the placement together and consider the possibilities.

Can you work around existing tattoos?
Yes, provided there is enough clear space for a new composition. I take nearby tattoos into account when deciding on placement, but I don’t retouch, continue or integrate work by other artists.

I can often extend tattoos I’ve made, particularly when we planned for that possibility from the beginning.

Do you take on cover-ups?
I can sometimes cover a very small tattoo when it forms part of a much larger botanical composition. I don’t take on cover-ups as half-day projects. Please include clear photographs with your enquiry so I can assess the existing tattoo in advance.
Do you work with scars and mastectomy-related areas?
Yes. I can tattoo over or around scars and mastectomy-related areas once they are fully healed. Each case is assessed individually. Please mention the area in your enquiry and include current photographs if you feel comfortable doing so. I may ask for further information before confirming whether the project is suitable.
Do you work with colour?
I work exclusively with black and grey tones, including opaque grey and white ink. This reflects the kind of work you see throughout my portfolio.

Working within a limited palette allows me to pay closer attention to how tattoos age over time. If colour is an essential part of what you’re looking for, I’m happy to recommend artists whose work I admire and who specialise in colour tattooing.

PLANNING YOUR TATTOO

What do you need to know before I enquire?
You don’t need to write out the full story behind your tattoo. Naming a theme or a few plants is enough. We’ll spend time discussing the project during the consultation.

The form for your appointment location will ask for a few practical details:

  • the area of the body you’re considering
  • the approximate scale
  • your budget range
  • a small selection of references from my work showing the proportion and complexity you’re drawn to

Submitting an enquiry does not confirm an appointment. Please visit Current Appointments to see the available options and find the correct form for your location.

Are there any health considerations I should mention before enquiring?
Please mention any health condition, active skin condition, allergy or medication that could affect tattooing or healing. You don’t need to provide a full medical history.

If I need further information, I’ll ask before confirming the appointment. In some cases, I may ask you to speak with your GP or the clinician responsible for your care. Please don’t stop or change any prescribed medication for a tattoo appointment unless advised to do so by the clinician responsible for it.

How many sessions will my tattoo need?
The number of sessions depends on the size, placement and complexity of the project, as well as the time needed for drawing, adjustments and breaks.

I work with half-day and full-day sessions. Most larger projects you see in my portfolio begin with a full-day session. Half-day sessions can be used for smaller pieces in suitable placements or to continue existing work, although availability for them is more limited.

Some tattoos can be completed in a single session, while larger projects usually take more than one. For larger projects, one of the later sessions may be used to make adjustments and complete finer details once the full composition is in place. This is part of completing the original project rather than a healing-related touch-up.

The Portfolio includes filters by body area and number of sessions to give you a general idea of how long different projects can take. Each body, placement and project has different dimensions and requirements, so these filters are only a general guide.

What are your rates?
I work with flat rates per session rather than charging by the hour. Rates are based on whether you book a half-day or full-day session.

If you’re working within a specific budget range, it’s helpful to mention this in your enquiry form. In some cases, the scale or structure of a project can be adapted to stay within that range.

Once you have submitted the relevant enquiry form, you’ll receive an approximate quote.

Can I book a consultation in advance?
The consultation happens on the day of your tattoo as part of the drawing and placement process. This is when we talk through your idea, review references and decide how the design will sit on your body.

Because the work is developed freehand and directly on the skin, I don’t offer design consultations in advance.

We won’t begin tattooing until you feel comfortable with the direction we’ve chosen, and there’s always space to adjust and refine the drawing beforehand.

What is your cancellation and rescheduling policy?
For London appointments, deposits are non-refundable. If you need to reschedule with more than seven days’ notice, your deposit can be transferred to a new appointment within one calendar year of the original date. Appointments can be rescheduled a maximum of two times.

Please email as soon as possible so the appointment can be offered to someone else.

Appointments managed by another studio are subject to that studio’s cancellation and rescheduling policy.

THE DAY OF YOUR APPOINTMENT

What if I need breaks or feel overwhelmed during the session?
Breaks are always part of the process. Tattooing is physically demanding, and it’s important to listen to your body throughout the day.

Pain varies between people, body areas and different points in the session. We’ll take breaks as needed, whether to stretch, eat, drink or reset.

If at any point you feel tired or need to stop earlier than planned, we can always continue in a future session. I won’t push you to keep going if you’re not feeling up to it. I recommend bringing something for lunch and a few sugary treats to help keep your energy steady.

Can you accommodate access, sensory or communication needs?
Yes. I welcome neurodivergent clients, wheelchair users and clients with disabilities or sensory sensitivities. Please share any access, mobility, communication or sensory requirements in your enquiry so I can confirm what is possible at your appointment location and prepare accordingly.

I will make reasonable adjustments where possible and confirm any location-specific limitations before the appointment.

What languages do you speak?
I speak English, Spanish, German and Portuguese.
Can I bring someone with me?
Appointments are one-to-one. If someone is accompanying you, they’re welcome to come into the studio briefly when you arrive. Once they leave, we’ll begin the session.

If you need someone to attend because of an access or support requirement, please mention this in your enquiry so arrangements can be confirmed with the appointment location.

Will my tattoo be filmed or photographed?
Your tattoo is for you. You can choose whether or not you consent to being filmed or photographed. The decision is yours to make.

When you arrive, you’ll be asked to complete a consent form before any filming or photography takes place. Choosing not to be filmed or photographed will not affect your appointment.

AFTERCARE AND TOUCH-UPS

How do I take care of my tattoo?
Please visit the Aftercare page for full instructions on how to look after your tattoo while it heals.
What if my tattoo needs a touch-up?
Healing-related touch-ups are free within six months.

Once the tattoo is fully healed, you’re invited to come by for an in-person check. If you live abroad, you can send clear photographs and visit down the line.

If you’re happy to, I may also photograph the healed tattoo during the check-up. If you’d like to have photographs taken, you’re welcome to bring an outfit you feel comfortable being photographed in.