11th Annual Tampa Bay Tattoofest

I know this site is dedicated to fishing, but from time to time you will see things that I just feel like writing or sharing. Oh well, you will have deal with it every once in a while if you frequent the site.

In the Tampa Bay area there are only two tattoo conventions that are held each year-I think; don't hold me to that. I usually go and check out what's going on at these events, even though admission, food and beer are way too expensive. Most that know me are aware that I love tattoo's, and wanting to experiment with the Nikon, I figured I would go to the 11th annual Tampa Bay Tattoofest. The Doubletree hotel, where the convention was taking place, is only a stones throw from work, why not.

Friday night was the time to go. The Doubletree hotel in Tampa was not packed, yet there were still enough people there to make it fun. My friend's shop, Imperial Iron was there, so I was planning on hanging with them. Basically, talking with new people, taking pictures of fresh tattoo's and beer drinking was the plan. With the pictures I took, some turned out pretty well, at least in my opinion.

The Imperial Iron booth stayed busy throughout the show:

Daytona Hardcore Tattoo was a busy booth; this young lady had some great tats and could even pull off a tat magazine style pose or two:

I was especially impressed with this artist's work, Heather Maranda. What a great portrait artist. She owns Epic, a shop located in Haines City, FL. There are many great artists that you don't see on television, on those sell out soap opera tattoo shows, they just need to be found. Sorry no website, look her up on My Space:

There were some cool but expensive bikes out front, check out the Japanese artwork, killer!

Ink doktors in the house:

Miss Mindy from Studio XIII Tattoos in Cocoa Beach, FL made a good showing:

Jen Beirola from Omaha, Nebraska was in the building. She owns Grinn & Barrett Tattoo and Piercing, and heads down to Florida as much as possible on the convention scene:

And of course, some girls from 2001 Odyessy were handing out free entry cards and were even offering shuttles back and forth from the show. Times are tough in this economy...

This tattoo was done by an unknown artist. I was told, but forgot.  Anyways, I thought it made for a good photo:

That's all I've got for you. I had a blast, stayed there all night, got a piece of my own and hung out with some cool people. Taking pictures of tattoos is very difficult. They conform to the body and this makes it very tough to get a full, clear shot of the work. Usually in the magazines you will see the photographer making the picture a two to three piece combined shot. Not going that far, with what was being worked with, the pictures turned out nicely, but not all gave the artwork it's complete respect.