A Prickly Pudenda: The Life and Times of a Female Tattoo Artist.

Tattooing can be a pretty closed and cliqueish profession. Odds are you'll meet with more than a little resistance when you begin your quest to apprentice. Don't be afraid to visit all the shops in your area and get a feel for each one. Review the artwork at each shop and talk with the artists. Being in an environment conducive to learning your craft, from someone who is actually skilled is crucial to your success.
When I started out before I met my tattoo maestro, I spent some time at the shop of a locally infamous crackhead who decided my artistic talent would be best utilized cleaning the shop. Cleaning the shop may indeed be part of the trade-off of a legitimate apprenticeship but it should NEVER be your sole task. Ensure that you're learning something about the industry every day, whether it's proper maintenance of your machines or art technique. The bottom line is, if some sexist douchebag makes you uncomfortable, get the fuck out of there! Your time is the essence of your life, don't let anyone waste it.

The excitement of creating your first tattoo truly is beyond compare. No other artform is more immediate or permanent in it's results. No other artform is created daily with such infinite variables to assess. These factors contribute to the exhiliration of the craft. They are also precisely why there is no forgiveness for a fuck-up while tattooing.
As an artist you must possess confidence in your work. This will assure the client of your abilities. Getting the confidence requires a lot of drawing practice and perhaps some earthy crunchy affirmations, entirely up to you.
It also means knowing when to pass along a job that is beyond your skill level when you're apprenticing. If you have secured a legitimate apprenticeship with a competent teacher, they will guide you in these decisions. Certainly challenges should be undertaken in order to reach new skill levels, however no matter how much you might want to do that full chest piece depicting realistic portraits of Yoda and Britney Spears doing the electric slide in front of a rainbow be-sparkled castle, only approach the job if you and your mentor feel you are ready for the challenge. Your reputation as an artist is priceless and it WILL proceed you in tattooing. Every client is a walking billboard for your work, and though even the most goddess-like tattooing machine has their off days, it is essential to always send your best work into the world.
If you are in the middle of a challenging piece and something starts to go awry, stop what you're doing and walk away for a few minutes. Tell your client it's time for a break, walk around the shop take a few deep breaths, look at something different, then when you're ready go back to what you were doing. Usually a shift in perspective will illuminate the solution to whatever problem you were having. If the piece is large and being completed in sessions and there is no end in sight to the torment you're feeling, end the session for the day. It's better to walk away a bit frustrated than to have an unhappy client walking away for good.

Tattooing is an artform but it is also a service industry. Developing a loyal following requires artistic talent, an ability to collaborate and good client relationships. You've got to be willing to talk with people about what they want and be willing to compromise a bit of your vision for theirs. Ultimately it's their body. Certainly, as a tattoo artist you will learn what works and what doesn't with regard to design and you have a responsibility to make aesthetic suggestions to your clients. If a client wants something that you know will look like crap, don't do it, again your artistic reputation is on the line.
Walking into a tattoo shop can be a very intimidating experience for most people. Treating your potential clients like human beings and not fans come to worship at the altar of your rock-star self will help them choose you as an artist. It will also keep them coming back.