Studio Public Policies
Lake Candid Tattoo is committed in policy, principle, and practice to creating and maintaining an environment which prohibits any and all oppressive or discriminatory behavior and providing a safer, inclusive space that is welcoming to all. I welcome open discussion on this ever-evolving list of policies in an effort to make a space where everyone can feel safe, considered and free to communicate their needs.
Land Acknowledgments
I acknowledge that Lake Candid Tattoo resides and operates on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded land of the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples. I pay my respects to the Honuukvetam (Ancestors), ‘Ahiihirom (Elders), and ‘Eyoohiinkem (our relatives/relations) past, present, and emerging.
Sexual Abuse & Harassment
Lake Candid Tattoo has a zero tolerance policy towards sexual violence, abuse, or harassment, and attempts towards it. This includes but is not limited to: making offensive comments related to any person’s national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, marital status, or disability, making inappropriate sexual comments or jokes, making intentionally offensive or derogatory comments or jokes, catcalling, attempts to use the conditions of the tattooing process to influence a sexual interaction, engaging in unnecessary or inappropriate physical contact with someone without their prior consent, and threatening or intimidating another person. Anyone instructed to stop any harassing behavior is expected to comply immediately.
Honor Persons’ Boundaries
I will always ask for consent about physical contact and touch needed to perform your tattoo. I will always ask for consent before photographing or recording you and your tattoo. I will ask your approval and consent on any changes I see fit during the tattoo session. I place a high importance on ethical consent and when I take steps to ensure that my client is consenting to every step of the session, I expect the same courtesy to be offered by my clients. Please always ask for consent about any physical contact with me, as well as photographing or recording me.
Self Advocacy
In an effort towards your personal comfort and an overall gratifying experience, I encourage you to take care of yourself. Listen to your physical, mental, and emotional needs and limits. Express and honor your boundaries as you deem necessary. I will do the same for myself. In a pre-appointment survey, you will have the option to choose a quiet session if you would rather not have small talk. In the survey you will also have the option of establishing a safe-word for the tattoo process.
Oppressive Behavior
Racism, sexism, classism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, ableism, fatphobia, ageism or discrimination on basis of ethnicity, immigration status, or religious, cultural, and/or spiritual beliefs, or any other kind of oppressive behavior is unacceptable at Lake Candid Tattoo. I reserve the right to deny service to any person exhibiting oppressive behavior or any person proven and known to exhibit oppressive behavior.
Make No Assumptions
No assumptions will be made about any person’s identity or experiences. This includes, but is not limited to making any assumptions about any person’s gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, ability, age, or cultural beliefs. Every client has the right to communicate or not communicate their identity. In the booking process, you will be asked for your pronouns which will be confirmed when signing the waiver.
Accessibility
I am committed to having each of my client’s accessibility needs met to the extent that I am able to provide them, or a referral to an artist who can best meet those needs. Due to my private studio being located in a residential area, my studio is not ideal when it comes to accessibility. I hope to move to a space that is more accessible in the future. At this time, the main bathroom for my studio is not wheelchair accessible. If you would like a detailed list of what is accessible or not in my studio space, you can view my pre-appointment page here.
Privacy & Confidentiality
Both my client and I will be respectful of their respective social media accounts and will only link/tag an account if permission has been given by either party. This includes posting images of tattoos on my accounts. I will always ask for consent and permission from my client before using their name when posting images/videos of their tattoo.
These policies were adapted from Hemlock Tattoo’s Policies, Salon Bender’s Policies, UCLA’s Land Acknowledgement Guidelines, and Art & Feminism’s Safe, Brave Space Policy.