Have you ever seen somebody with a rather outspoken tattoo and you wondered ‘why’? You’re not alone. Photographer Ralf Mitsch shares this fascination. In fact, it encouraged him to do a book on the subject. His quest doesn’t stop with portraying the permanent ink on the skins of their respective owners – Ralf goes under their skin to find out about the stories behind the Maori tribal design peeping out from under the collar or the snakes that curl themselves around people’s legs and arms. Is it a religion, an addiction, a documentation of ones life or is it an impulsive decision, that will haunt the tattooed for the rest of his / her life? Why I Love Tattoos contains over 50 portraits of inspiring people, telling the stories behind their tattoos.

More info: whyilovetattoos.com

Sylvie

Image by: rmitsch

Holger

Image by: rmitsch

Image by: rmitsch

Nico

Image by: rmitsch

Maika

Image by: rmitsch

Michel

Image by: rmitsch

Trudy

Image by: rmitsch

Desanka

Image by: rmitsch

Adrian

Image by: rmitsch

Martha

Image by: rmitsch

Tim

Image by: rmitsch

Kevin & Jordy

Image by: rmitsch

Gilbert

Image by: rmitsch

Stephanie

Image by: rmitsch

Bill

Image by: rmitsch

Games

View all games

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!

Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda!