Believe it or not the best thing you can do is to get the best pictures of your work possible. Your portfolio is all an artist has to show for their work. The greater the presentation (high quality images and prints) the more seriously you'll be taken by larger establishments. But don't spend all your money on a leather bound portfolio or you'll be ridiculed for a lack of humility or wasting your money on things that aren't important (so they say). Depending on what shop you want to be seen at, take a look at their own work and see how important presentation is. There's always that odd balance of not wanting to outshine your boss, right?

Most shops around here aren't too strict. You could always offer to work for tips for a while and see how that goes. Offer to do the tracings for them or the research even. Expect to work for free and learn the hard way how people treat competition in the work place.

A friend of mine made her own gun (the old fashioned way) and practiced on orange peels and leather scraps for two years before she was noticed. Learn as much as you can about the history of tattooing, the machines, their origins, terms, how to make them, repair them, proper sterilization procedures, including reading the instruction manuals for different brands of autoclaves. If you go into a shop that doesn't think that sort of thing matters - find a different shop, quick! (Like the shop that used a toaster oven instead of one of those "expensive autoclaves" cuz "they basically do the same thing.")

Learn more about different cultures tattoos. How and when they're used and the meanings behind them. Showing your knowledge can be as important as your skill. Never just give away a tattoo, always try to at least get a trade in return for your art. A good portion of an artists time is spent convincing the person that wants the artwork to actually pay full price for it.

Even during a recession people get tattoos. It's a comfort buy I think. Working with someone new might appear more affordable so you have to be ready to knock their socks off with your mad skills. Peace.

In an employers' market, which is what we're in, the competition is fierce. Tattooing is a luxury, and people are cutting out luxuries. There are some ways you can get your foot in the door, though.

1. Offer to do overflow or fill in for artists that are out sick or don't show up for jobs.
2. Have your friends go into or call the place you want to work and ask if anyone knows where you are working. (this really works, I'm not kidding. Even if they have never heard of you, they will get curious, but do this BEFORE you put in an application, and don't overdo it.)
3. Have people that are out in bars give out your card when someone compliments them on their tattoo, whether you did it or not. Getting your name out there is really important.
4. Rent a booth in a place you want to work to do your own work. Once they see your work, they will be more interested in hiring you. When you ask to rent the booth, tell them that you have several people who want tats, but you don't have a place to work.

You have to get creative to get a job in this economy, especially doing something that people aren't buying these days.

If this is where your passion lies, then persistence is main weapon in any economy. Showcase your best pieces of your artwork. Create an online portfolio. Do artwork for friends to build your name. Network. The more places you inquire for jobs the higher your chance of finding a place to hire you. Good luck!

I hate to be the burden of bad news or steer you in the wrong way. But giving up your time to assist some other company for FREE does not sound good to me. They are making money while you work hard for them for free. Sure you can do this and be happy getting to do what you love to do, however will your bills be getting paid? Will they put food into you or your family belly? I think not! I have nothing against people that go out of their way to assist companies with Volunteer work. I think its a great plan; I mean you have people trying to get into your company and are willing to work for free. Your problem sonnet11 is not the economy. It is you are to NICE. Studies show that a person that is meaner in the work field makes more money overall then a person that is nice. So my advice is this. If you love your skills, then stick with them. Nothing in this life is free so do not work for free. Fill out your resume but do not OVER KILL it. Companies in the artist field like somebody that is marketable as well as approachable. Stand your grounds but know when to give in. Do the numbers, can you afford to work for free? If so then great wish I was in your shoes.
If you cant do the job you love then love the job your doing until you can do the job you love. Do not let it be a burden and more doors will open in time.
I wish you the best.
Do not give up.

http://www.tattoosbylisa.net/
Hey. Most tattoo studios don't pay apprentices anyway, if you happen to hook up with some really cool people and they like you they will pay. Every shop owner is different, your best bet would be to pay for some training and then start doing private work until you build your portfolio. Take pictures of everything you do. You could also just get your own machine and get at it with anyone who will let you do it. I know plenty of people who started like that. I would post adds on CL in various cities that you might want to live in and see if anyone is willing to hire you. If your artwork is the bomb, you will get some interest. If you can just get the initial basics down with proper use of the machine and sanitation you'll be off to a great start. There are also shop owners who will just let you pay them to teach you. If you are really passionate about it try to get a loan and also research schools, there are a few. You can also go to tattoo conventions and just talk to as many people you can to see if someone will work with you. You have to be very dedicated to make it in this field, there are more and more shops popping up all over. Also check Craigs' List to see if anyone is hiring, sometimes there are. Shops are often interested in buying flash. Drop in with some ready to go flash and if you find a shop that digs what you do, who knows eventually they may take you on with a little pay. So that's all I have for you. The link is for a school. You may actually be able to get a government grant as well. I wish you well..

The only thing I can think of is to volunteer. This will give something positive on your resume (both volunteering and job experience are good things to have), and - if during this time they will let you do anything - take pictures of your tattoos to build your portfolio in any way you can. That way you can slowly build up the experience you need, and at the same time save them some money. When the economy recovers, you can then talk to the shop(s) you volunteered at to see if they would give you a job (perhaps part-time at first, depending on how quickly they recover).

That's what I would do, anyway. Best of luck!

Persistence is the key if this is what you truly want to do. Be enthusiastic about the work, remain positive when you approach places where you would like to work, and make sure that they are aware that you are really interested - that this is not just a passing interest.
Keep a portfolio of your designs and any work you have done. Make sure to take it with you whenever you visit a potential employer.
Keeping a positive attitude and persistence will be what eventually gets you what you want.

If you find a company that you really want to work for and they have turned you down try something like this.
1) Be persitant with them keep checking back and reassure them of your talent
2) Offer to work on something small to prove your talent
3) come up with every good reason you can think as to how that company will beneifit from your talent

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrysti/1444580133/