Ask an Agent / Tattoos

Ask an Agent is a regular monthly column that answers all your questions about the business of photography. This month, a question about tattoos.

I have been commissioned to shoot some people with tattoos for an ad campaign for a body wash. Can you tell me if the models in the shots need to be a certain age as they have tattoos?

Johnny Freemantle.

Hi Johnny,

Thanks for your question. Yes the models do need to be 18 years of age or over if they have tattoos. But hopefully most people with tattoos are anyway.

The other thing to be aware of is that if the design of the tattoo is a unique piece of art it may well be that the creator owns the copyright, and as such is the only person who can authorize others to copy the image. So you may need to get their permission before you reproduce a tattoo in a photograph.

If you have any questions about the photography business please email askanagent@lisapritchard.com

Please Note:

We reserve the right not to enter into ongoing correspondence. We reserve the right not to answer all questions. Please state whether you would like to remain anonymous. This advice should be taken as a guide only. Lisa Pritchard and LPA take no responsibility for any omissions or errors. Please seek professional legal advice should you require it.