About Me & Getting a Tattoo:
Thanks for your interest in booking a tattoo with me! My name is Matthew Takata Shepherd (they/them) I’m a queer mixed Japanese-American artist originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, currently living and working in Berlin.
Please use this form to book an appointment with me for either a flash design or a custom design.
As a mixed queer person, I understand the importance of having a safe space for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ folks. I try to be very conscientious of other people and I strive to create a safe and comfortable environment for my clients and myself. I believe in intersectionality, body positivity, kindness, and that it is your body your choice. I want you to feel comfortable and safe if you choose to get a tattoo with me and will make sure to check in with you throughout the entire tattoo process.
Booking an Appointment & Deposit Info:
To book an appointment I ask for a non-refundable deposit to reserve your appointment. This deposit IS applied to the total cost of your tattoo.
For custom designs I’m happy to do one round of editing included in the deposit fee to make sure the design is how you like. I want the tattoo to be your dream, so if you are interested in getting a piece with me it’s important that you have a clear idea of what you want. Any re-drawings after the first free one are an additional 50€, (unlike the deposit fee this is not applicable to the final cost of the tattoo.) For flash designs I am happy to make small changes.
I accept deposits via PayPal sent as friends and family, with any message only emojis please! If you don’t have PayPal please let me know and we can find another way to do the deposit. I'll provide my PayPal when I confirm the appointment with you.
Pricing:
Pricing is based on size, level of detail, and placement of the tattoo. For small or medium tattoos I charge a flat rate. For larger pieces I charge an hourly rate. Feel free to email me at takata.arts@gmail.com or fill out this form for a price quote!
If you are BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and/or a woman of lower income, please let me know if the price quote is out of your budget and we can try to find a price that will work for you. Marginalized communities often face wage disparity and so this is my way of trying to make tattoos more accessible. If I can offer a discount I’m happy to in these cases, but as a queer mixed artist I am also working to make a living wage and am not always able to work for a discounted price.
A tattoo session with me includes one free round of touch ups if needed after your tattoo heals (done within 6 months of the tattoo.)
Color Tattoos:
I have plenty of color inks that are EU REACH compliant, so yes we can still make color tattoos in Europe!
Color tattoos are for everyone regardless of your skin tone. If you are a BIPOC person interested in your first color piece but are nervous about dipping your toe into the world of color tattoos, please don't hesitate to ask me! I am happy to give recommendations and work with you to find a color palette that will work beautifully for you.
If you are interested in a color tattoo but are still hesitant I'm happy to arrange a color test tattoo for a small materials fee. We would make a small tattoo with a color palette and once the tattoo has healed (ideally we’ll wait at least 1 month), you can select the colors you like best for the palette of your tattoo.
Rescheduling & Cancellation Policies:
If you are more than 30 minutes late to your appointment we might need to reschedule and you will need to put down a new deposit to reserve the new date. If you are a no call/no show you forfeit your deposit.
If you need to reschedule please get in touch with me as soon as possible. Rescheduling is okay up to two weeks before your appointment. If you request a reschedule and your appointment date is less than two weeks away, I will have to ask for an additional deposit fee to reserve the new date. I make exceptions for sickness or emergency situations. If you’re not feeling well near your appointment please get in touch and we can reschedule.
Almost there...
I do not do copies of other people’s artwork unless you have permission from the artist, it is your personal artwork, or if it’s in the public domain.
Thanks for taking the time to read through my policies and for your interest in getting a tattoo with me. I hope my policies form has been helpful for you and that it helps make the booking process as easy as possible.