Tattoo artists using photos of tattoos without permission?

A couple years ago, I had work done by an artist who is no longer at his old location. A friend (while looking for nearby tattoo places) FOUND my tattoo, on a different shops website (where he apparently works now?). I have NEVER been to this tattoo shop (nor do I plan to), and am curious if I have any right to ask for my very identifiable photo being removed, as I never gave permission for it to be used- (it was taken by the artist for ME to have a before and after shot, and I was never told he would be using it for a portfolio, or advertising puposes). Are there any rules or etiquette on this matter? Who owns the image? (The tattoo was drawn/designed by me, NOT the artist, however he (obviously) tattooed it for me) Thanks!

You're an idiot.

I don't think I am an idiot..... (but I HAVE been told that before, so it may be true...) But, I had a lot of problems with the artist, and he screwed me over in the middle of a large piece, forcing me to get it finished elsewhere... and NOW he is using my photos as advertising for his new place. Regardless of me being an idiot, it's still irritating.

if i do a tattoo i think i should be able to put the image in my portfolio. doesn't make alot of sense to me to tell the person who did the artwork for you that he can't claim his own work????? wtf??? would you have the ink if he didn't put it in your skin. just because you had a falling out with him do you really need to snivle about him taking credit for work you both admit he did?? find a new axe to grind bro!!

Actually, I'm not a "bro". And the "falling out" was hurtful, and threatening, which is why I was shocked to see he would use my images. I have had other artists ask me, straight out, if they could use my photos, and when I said no, it was no big deal, and they never used them. ALL I was asking, was whether that was the norm- asking permission to use a clients image. That's all. Sorry to have somehow offended you.

bro , chick man woman......not really the issue is it and im not offended just baffled that ANYONE would make an issue of someone taking credit for their own work. but i guess it makes sense in your world....... not in mine though. have a great day

I'm not "making an issue", I was simply asking a question. Look, if a contractor came, worked on my house, screwed up all the work, took off with my money, and I had to call in someone ELSE and pay them all over again to fix it all, I would be pissed, as would anyone else. Now, if that first guy then drove by, and took pictures of my house, and put it online, to use as advertising for himself, after completely screwing me over, I would be pissed- again (and if half of the work shown in the picture wasn't even done by him, and he didn't SAY that in the description)....). I don't understand how it would confuse you for me to ask the question I did. I simply didn't want my pictures online, and associated with the man. But, if you are going nto be senselessly rude, don't respond!

A piece a artist does is both yours and his/hers.Portfolio,website seems very much a closed case.BUT if u see ur stuff on a billboard, then tear the mother down :P.If we publish anything in mags etc etc we try to get the persons consent first of course.

Thanks for your response:) I completely understand that I might sound unreasonable.... I was simply very unhappy with his last work (although, all of my other stuff by him was great), and spent a lot of time and money fixing it after he took off.. so, to see it on his website was irritating, and annoying.... felt like I was advertising for him.... (and If I REALLY WAS, it wouldn't be good advertising!) Thanks for taking your time to respond without calling me an idiot:) I was just curious if other artists ever ask if they can use their clients photos online, or on their walls, etc, or if it was simply a standard expected thing. Thanks.

So I'm not sure why that guy jumped down your throat because it seemed like a valid question to me. I had a similar experience, except with a piercer, and I was even more aggravated because the picture featured about 7 of my facial piercings ONE of which the guy who posted it had done. That fact was not mentioned, nor was the fact that it wasn't done in the shop's website it was posted on. Needless to say artists shift spots and want to maintain a portfolio, so more often then not it features work done at a variety of places. If it really bothers you and the artist is a decent person I'm sure you could talk to them about taking it down, or at the very least cropping the picture so it's less easily identified as you. Hope that helps!

Also for the record, most artists I have come by generally explain to their clients what their pictures might be used for (usually just physical or online portfolios), and ask permission to take them. So in my experience clients have been well aware of where their pictures may or may not be used.

you didn't specify that he didn't finish the work. that makes a big difference. but how did he get pictures of the finished work if not from you?? if he was showing the work he did is one thing taking credit for someone elses is another. i don't think i was being very rude just giving an opinion. i still don't see how he got a picture of the finished work without your help. as far as the contractor analogy if a guy wanted to take pictures of an unfinished house and use it to advertise with don't you think it would hurt his business more than help it? either way you win so calm down. and if you don't want to hear an opinion that may differ from your own then why ask it on a public forum?? doesn't make alot of sense to me!

oh and i wasn't the one who called you an idiot and im failing to see how i "jumped down your throat" or do you always expect everyone to have the same opinion as you? maybe you should talk to the guy who finished the piece and have him confront the guy who started it since they both probably have it in their portfolio. i know i'd take it out of mine if it could be seen somewhere else. that tends to make us look bad in this industry and alot of people would rather avoid the confusion and aggravation. still dont see how he got the finished picture if you didn't let him mtake it and if you did.....again , your bad!