What should I ask about a tattoo studio’s consent forms and client photo files?

Begin with a look at the forms themselves. Do they cover health questions, aftercare, age confirmation and permission for photographs? Ask when they were last updated and who wrote them. Then pull a few signed forms from different years and check that they are complete, legible and consistent with the current version.

Next, ask about storage. Paper forms in a back room, scans on a personal phone and photos in a shared cloud folder all carry different risks. Find out who has access, what happens when an artist leaves, and whether the studio can delete a client’s information on request. Ask about any complaints or requests the studio has had about its records.

Finally, examine how photos are used. Portfolio images on the website and social accounts may have been posted with or without clear permission. Your lawyer can tell you what you must do with the records after a sale, and how to handle anything missing. Ask the seller to fix known gaps before closing. Ask too who at the studio answers questions about consent and records now, and whether that person is staying, so the knowledge does not leave with them. Request a note of anything that has gone wrong in the past.

Key takeaways

• Compare the current consent form with signed copies from earlier years.
• Find out where forms and photos are stored and who can reach them.
• Check what clients agreed to about portfolio and social media use of photos.
• Ask how the studio responds to requests to remove information.