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Intimate Portraits of Tattooed Seniors Reveal How Ink Looks on Aging Bodies

By Sara Barnes on September 28, 2018

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Tattoos are a common sight on young people nowadays, but there are a growing number of senior citizens who are sporting their own body art. Many of them had it long before it was socially acceptable and provide a peek into how tattoos age on the skin. One project called TattooAge. Never too old. highlights 25 seniors with tattoos. It was created by GetOud, a foundation dedicated to bridging gaps between generations and fostering a positive image of people over 75.

The photography portraits feature the chosen men and women in the living rooms of their homes. Looking comfortable and confident, the subjects vary in the amount of body art they have. Some are covered from head to toe in ink, while others have small designs that are barely visible in the picture. It’s easy to assume that these folks received their tattoos when they were young, but TattooAge points out that this is not always the case. There are some unexpected stories, like a design that was a gift from a grandchild, or people who got their first tattoo when they were 80 years old!

TattooAge. Never too old. culminated in a book by the same name. It features the 25 people as well as the stories behind their body art. You can get your copy of the book on the GetOud website.