Want to see the best tattoos around? Step outside your front door

I’ve been shooting tattoos since I picked up a camera. But when I moved to Long Beach eight years ago, I discovered that as much as I loved Los Angeles for all its diversity, I could find all of that—and more—right here.

This city has the best tattoos in the Southland. Sorry, OC, you’ve got nice beaches and cars and all, but I’ve seen all your ankle tats at South Coast Plaza—Tweety Bird? And dolphins? You too, West LA. All your white boy scenesters are kinda heavy on the Asian symbols—are you sure that that ink really says “love” and not “poser”? East LA, you’re rad, but everywhere I look, it’s pretty much all the same—and that’s as down as I’m going to get on you, because frankly, I don’t want to piss you off.

If you can size up a city by the ink it sports, Long Beach is all over the map—literally and artistically. You want Old English? Check. Japanese lotuses and Dia de los Muertos skeletons? Got ‘em. Angels and devils? Got those, too—plus grizzled old Navy men with ink so dense you can’t read it anymore.

So when you see me snapping your picture, don’t turn away. I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.

PHOTO by SUSAN SABO

Seriously now. How can you be this guy and not think you’re the shit? This is one of the best tattoos I’ve ever seen. The concept is brilliant—I mean, this guy’s even got other dudes following him around when he takes off his shirt. And forget about the nipple for a minute (if you can); he’s got the Hollywood thing going there with Marilyn Monroe and some cool ink spreading up his neck. But truthfully, the Exorcist ink freaked me out. After shooting this I had to go find some dolphins and Tweety Birds.

PHOTO by SUSAN SABO

I want to adopt this kid—and I don’t even like kids (well, not a whole lot, anyway). One thing is for certain: this kid is not going to grow up to be a poser. He’s getting airbrushed ink, for Chrissakes! And, he’s looking right at me. This kid’s got a future, and I’m willing to bet 50 bucks that it’s in Long Beach.

PHOTO by SUSAN SABO

People without tattoos are always asking the same question: “Does it hurt?” My answer is always the same. “Fuck yes, the pain is the point.” Only someone who’s truly into the tattoo experience can sit back and relax while a guy who looks like he should be eating your intestines out of your still-warm body hovers over you with a very sharp instrument. This shot combines two of my passions: zombies and tattoos. I love it.

PHOTO by SUSAN SABO

WWJW? What would Jesus wear to Ink-N-Iron? Duh, board shorts, black socks and sneakers. He’d also apparently ride in on a monster truck, taking up two parking spaces like those assholes in BMW SUVs do. (Dicks.) But if he’s rolling into Ink-N-Iron, he’s cool with me. Rock on, Jesus.

PHOTO by SUSAN SABO

I was standing behind Tasha in the AM/PM and noticed her tattoos. I gave her my card and told her I’d like to shoot her. Anywhere else in LA, that would be the creepy intro to something that was sure to end badly, but in LB, where we appreciate one another’s love of ink, she called me back. I shot her and her boyfriend at the Fluff Dry (and she’s going to pee her pants when she sees this in print).

Tags: Long Beach, Photos, tattoos