Meet Alli Campos of Atlanta / Smyrna

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alli Campos

Hi Alli, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My family and I immigrated to south Atlanta , GA in 2001 from Costa Rica. Arts and creativity were always important in my house. I believe it comes from the general happiness of my Costa Rican people .
I got into tattooing because it felt like the obvious next step for me and my creativity after doing a lot of creative side gigs.
I started with photography when I was just out of high school. That was a lot of learning about the visual arts and editing .
I then started doing digital work and learning that aspect of image manipulation.
Which all lead me to picking up a pen and start playing with my own art . Drawing was the first time I felt creative fulfillment as well and I enjoyed the creation process.
I moved back to Atlanta in late 2019 with the goal of starting an apprenticeship and I got into the industry in early 2020.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I can’t say it was smooth at all.
I had all these creative side jobs, but they were never anything to make a living off of and I always needed a full time job as well.
I mostly struggled with feeling like I was on the right track .
It wasn’t until I started drawing and creating a portfolio for tattooing that I felt like I was working towards something and started feeling creatively fulfilled.
Finding an apprenticeship to begin with was also extremely difficult and the first year in the industry was tough. Just like any other career, you have to pay your dues which I was committed to doing but it did take its toll.
I’m very blessed to have had the support from my family and my wife. They helped me so much that the struggles never stopped me .

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in black and gray tattooing.
Mostly realism, but I also enjoy illustrative and blackwork style.
I would say I’m very proud of the whole experience that I provide while getting a piece with me. I think my clients really see that this isn’t just a job and more of a passion. The best compliment I get is ‘it really shows that you love what you do.’
I am very committed to a great tattoo of course, but I also bring that same professionalism and dedication to the prep work before the session. I also like to give my clients quality images of their final piece and my background in photography has definitely helped.
That extra amount of effort does tend to set me apart from others.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Pursuing tattooing in itself was a whole risk. I knew it could be a fulfilling job, but it is a huge financial risk and time commitment. There is also no set career security or set path with tattooing.
If I hadn’t taken a risk into this industry though, I wouldn’t have known what I could bring to other people through my art.
Even daily now when I’m approaching a new piece and challenging myself, I take risks throughout the process to try and deliver something great.
Some pay off and others are learning experiences, but every risk is worth it.

Pricing:

• My pieces are priced hourly or by flat rate .
• Day sessions and two day sessions are a flat rate.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thedreamtattoo.com/contact
• Instagram: @undersimilarskies