I'm getting a tattoo for my 18th birthday in January. I've finally decided that I wanted to get it. But, I do have to admit, I'm a whimp when it comes to needles and pain. I get scared when I go to the doctor for shots and yet, I just got my belly button pierced last year.
This is the tattoo I want to get. Not necessarily all the background but just the girl: http://www.autumngrove.org/files/byrony.jpg
Does anyone have any advice on where I should put it? I know somewhere where I have fat but where would it look the best. I was thinking lower waistline but I'm not sure. Can anyone reassure my stress about the pain? Does it hurt the first time with the outline or more with the shading? Thanks alot for any advice.
Liv

Hey Hon,

I just got my first on my upper hip and into the lower waistline. Go read my thread Badge of Courage...it was no biggie and like you HUGE needle phobia. I chose to think of it as a tool of art and NOT watch. Everyone is different.

Good Luck Ruby

I was going to tell you to track down Ruby, but I see she has tracked you down.

Now come to the dark side www dot miamiink dot net

Yes Honey we'd love to have you over there

Ruby

People ae much nicer over there, on the dark side.

I think you should get it on the side of your toreso. It would look hot. And please don't ask about the pain, noone knows but you how your tolerance is. And as for the neelde thing, I'm scared t death of them and tattoos are a piece of cake, they only scratch the surface. The pain is more annoying then painful, I've found anyway.

Dig the pic.

~Eternalfantasie~ I just caught a glimpse of your soon to be ink! She's beautiful... I'm also a fan of Faery Art! I'm glad ~Ruby~, ~Tattoo-B~ and ~Page~ responded to your thread! What they've written is full of merit. I'm also deathly afraid of needles... but I have a slew of ~ink~ on my person! It doesn't hurt as some would think or say! As for body placement get it in a place that flatters your form. Try to aviod the tummy area... just incase you decide to embrace Motherhood down the road!

I just got my first tattoo on the 12th. I'm not gonna tell you that it wasn't painful because truth is "getting ink hurts"...its a tolerable pain and its not constant. The outline for me was way more painful than the shading. If I can sit thru and get my ankle done (anklet all the way around my leg) then anyone can make it thru...I'm a baby when it comes to pain but I did it.

All of the people that posted before me...helped me to work up the courage to get my tattoo...they are truely awesome people...listening to them is wise.

Yeah Lady you went straight for a hot spot, everything from here on out should be a cake walk...well unless you hit the ribs...

Eternal....Love the fairy she's gorgeous!!!! wait to join us on the other site till Mon or so. Under updates.

Ruby your right I did the tattoo that I thought would be the most painful first. That way the others would be no sweat. My next will be a red rose on my cleavage area (lefty)...LOL

As far as the pain, alot compare it to getting scratched by a cat.

Kitties tickle

Thanks so much for all the responses. Now I'm looking into place in New York City that are really credible places. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know. I was thinking to go somewhere in St. Kark's but I'm not sure... Let me know what you think

ok.. well.. from my experience..

personally i think the fatty tissue areas hurt the most. i have two swallows on my back.. one of my shoulder.. and one on my lower side/ love handle area.. and the lower one hurt a lot.. i had to take breaks just to calm down and gather myself...
my upper one was really easy.. i just laid there and it wasn't anymore than a little discomfort in times.

i don't think i'll get getting anymore on my sides for a while.

GEEZ!!!! I got my first tattoo on the "Love handle" area and didn't hurt at all. I swear to God!!! It tickled like no other. Sorry you got RBGirl. Maybe it's opposite for me what hurts everyone else doesn't hurt me and what doesn't hurt most people will hurt me. I've always been back-a$$ wards.

Ruby

It also depends on how good your artist is. If he's got a heavy hand, he'll hurt you more.

My artists hand must light as feather then...whew!!! Glad I found him.

My artist is really gentle.. but maybe I have more fat there or something.. cause.. hell..

The short strokes were fine.. but when it got to the swallows body with the long lines.. it was hell.

But, like I said.. the upper one on my shoulder.. where there is less fat and more muscle... didn't hurt at all. I could have sat there for hours more.

I think I'll stick with muscley areas for now until I toughen up haha.

-Meg

Everyone has a different tolerance for pain.
That being said tattoos HURT!

If you are getting some little thingy that is
only going to take 5 or 10 minutes to ink then
no biggie for anyone but if you are going under
for anything 2 hours+ then it's going to be very painful.

Well Blu I guess that depends I sat for a lot longer than 5 or 10 min and mine was painless...
I mean no more than an interesting sensation. I'm going back for more Jan 11 so we'll see.

you can't think about the pain. that's probably no more than a two hour tattoo, at the bery most. the art is forever, it's all relative.

besides, the pain is well worth it to have something you love with you forever.

Yea... it all depends.

Mine took 3 hours to complete... but it really didn't matter how long it took. He did the 'easier to me' one last... so it was only about the first hour and half that hurt.. the second part could have went on for another 2 hours and it would'nt have bothered me.

But anyways, rockgrad is right... a little bit of pain for a lifetime of happiness.

-Meg