The three finalists in the tattoo portrait competition, Elsa, Robert, and Tierra, show off their tattoos to the audience while the judges decide on the winner. (Photo: Susan Fried)

PHOTO ESSAY | Tattoo Expo 2024

Thousands of people streamed through the doors of the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall over the weekend of Aug. 16–18 for the annual Seattle Tattoo Expo. The event, which has been held for more than 20 years, features some of the world's best tattoo artists.

Published on:

Aug 21, 2024, 6:21 pm

by Susan Fried

Thousands of people streamed through the doors of the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall over the weekend of Aug. 16—18 for the annual Seattle Tattoo Expo. The event, which has been held for more than 20 years, features some of the world's best tattoo artists.

Tattoo aficionados wandered through aisles of tables set up in the Exhibition Hall, where they could see amazing artwork by 250 tattoo artists from all around the world. The expo also featured burlesque performances, tattoo contests, DJ sets, and the return of BurlesKaraoke. Also on hand were numerous food trucks and a variety of vendors.

Tattoo artist "Who Tattoo" from the Castro Tattoo shop in San Francisco said as far as he's concerned, the Seattle Tattoo Expo is the best tattoo convention in the country.

Check out some of the weekend's sights below.

A tattoo artist is focused on inking the arm of a young man wearing a black sleeveless shirt and a backward cap, who is sitting calmly in a chair. The artist, with a headlamp and visible tattoos, works in a booth decorated with vibrant banners promoting the tattoo parlor. In the background, another tattoo artist is working on a client's back while they lie face down on a table.

Artists from Columbia City's own Electric Cobra Tattoo Parlor Andy Davis (left) and Phil Rolli (right) work on clients during the annual Tattoo Expo. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A tattoo artist with a bald head and earrings is intensely focused on inking the chest of a client who is lying back in a chair. The client, wearing sunglasses and appearing relaxed, has several existing tattoos visible on his upper body. The artist works carefully, using a tattoo machine wrapped in plastic for hygiene.

NW Creations tattoo artist Josh Christensen tattoos a customer's chest at the annual Tattoo Expo. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A tattoo artist with a mohawk hairstyle, wearing a sleeveless shirt and chain necklace, smiles at the camera while working on a client's leg. The artist is wearing blue gloves and holding a tattoo machine, preparing to add ink to the client's heavily tattooed legs. The client, lying on a table, is dressed in bright yellow shorts and red shoes with white ruffled socks.

Who Tattoo, an artist from San Francisco's Castro Tattoo shop, adds some ink to a customer's leg during the Tattoo Expo at Seattle Center. He said that the Seattle Tattoo Expo was the best Tattoo convention in the country. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A tattoo artist with long red hair and large hoop earrings is intently focused on inking a design on a client's thigh. The artist wears pink gloves and leans in close under a ring light, carefully working on the tattoo. The client, partially visible, is lying down and wearing checkered clothing.

Bella Ryan, an artist with Laughing Buddha Tattoo in Seattle, does some fine detail work on a customer's tattoo at the annual Tattoo Expo at Seattle Center. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A triptych showing three detailed tattoos: On the left, a realistic black-and-gray portrait of an older woman on someone's forearm, with the name

The three finalists in the portrait tattoo competition, placing (from left to right) first, third, and second. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A triptych showing three distinct tattoos: On the left, a realistic tattoo of a calico cat with orange, black, and white fur, surrounded by green leaves and a watercolor-style blue background on someone's thigh. In the center, a black-and-gray tattoo of a man wearing sunglasses and a hat, resembling a character from an action or Western movie, located on the person's side. On the right, a colorful tattoo of the Joker character from the 2019 film, featuring his makeup-covered face and a smaller full-body image of him dancing, with the words

Contestants in the best tattoo portrait category display their designs to the audience after showing them to the judges. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A woman with long, curly blonde hair, wearing bright red glasses and a wide smile, rests her head on her tattooed hand while lying on a tattoo table. She has vibrant tattoos on her arms and hands and is dressed in a polka-dotted top. A young child, wearing a wristband and a costume, leans into the frame, looking directly at the camera.

Shannon Perry of West Seattle's Tattoo Pizzazz touches her child's finger while being tattooed by Who Tattoo. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A man dressed as a bishop, wearing a red robe, white mitre, and bright orange sneakers, poses with a playful gesture in front of a booth. The booth displays various

John with Pop Art Saints was one of dozens of vendors selling their wares at the annual Tattoo Expo at Seattle Center. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A tattooed man with short gray hair and a black shirt rests his head on his hand, appearing deep in thought or bored. He has several rings and visible tattoos on his hand and arm. In the foreground, part of another tattooed arm is visible, likely of someone standing in front of him.

Best tattoo portrait judge Shawn Barber takes a closer look at a contestant's tattoo during the competition on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A man lies shirtless on a tattoo table, resting his head on a cushion with his eyes closed while a tattoo artist works on his chest. The tattoo artist, wearing black gloves and a face mask, is focused on creating an intricate design outlined in purple ink on the man's upper chest and shoulder area. The client has existing tattoos on his arms and torso.

Tattooist Chris Alavarado from Blood Ink Tattooing in Tolleson, Arizona, works on a customer during the annual Tattoo Expo in the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall. (Photo: Susan Fried)

An overhead view of a bustling tattoo convention inside a large hall. Numerous booths are set up, each displaying tattoo art, merchandise, and equipment, with banners and signs advertising different tattoo artists and studios. Attendees walk around, browse artwork, and interact with artists, while some receive tattoos in designated areas.

Thousands of people visited the annual Tattoo Expo at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall over the weekend of Aug. 16—18, 2024. (Photo: Susan Fried)

Susan Fried is a 40-year veteran photographer. Her early career included weddings, portraits, and commercial work — plus, she's been The Skanner News' Seattle photographer for 25 years. Her images have appeared in the University of Washington's The Daily, The Seattle Globalist, Crosscut, and many more.She's been an Emerald contributor since 2015. Follow her on Instagram @fried.susan.

Featured Image: The three finalists in the tattoo portrait competition, Elsa, Robert, and Tierra, show off their tattoos to the audience while the judges decide on the winner. (Photo: Susan Fried)

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