input: [Reference Type] Photo of another tattoo [Drawbacks] Honestly, most tattooists HATE it when customers bring in photos of other peoples’ tattoos as reference (even if told, “I want this but make it different). First, a photo of a tattoo is just a lot of extra work to use in design development. When “redrawing” the design, they are inevitably going to have to “remove” the contours of how the tattoo naturally wraps around the body part (essentially, completely redraw the design). Second, most tattooists don’t want other people “stealing” tattoos they created in collaboration with their clients, and they are hesitant to “steal” the work of other tattooists and their clients. [Benefits] 
output: It’s often been said that, “Emulation is the highest form of flattery.” However in this case, most see using a photo of another person’s tattoo as “stealing a tattoo.” Some might still use another person’s tattoo photo as “general jumping off point” for your tattoo.