Meet Catalina Pinotti

The LA Photographer bringing vintage glamour to tattoo.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2024, LOS ANGELES

Interview by Azra Schorr, Photos shot and provided by Catalina Pinotti

Azra Schorr: Name and where are you based?

Catalina Pinotti: My name is Catalina Pinotti. I'm born & raised, also based in Los Angeles, California.

How long have you been a photographer?

I've been a photographer for the last 13 or so years (I learned film photography at 14). But I only started to photograph people the way I do starting around 2021.

How would you describe your photographic style?

I would describe my style as femme fatale meets vintage glamor, but with a contemporary twist. There's nostalgia with the pin-up imagery, meanwhile it's tapped into certain alternative subcultures- like the tattoo, burlesque, and dominatrix community. 

What initially inspired you to focus on photographing tattooed people? Especially women. 

I really love this question! I am a huge fan of capturing other's tattoos. It's like photographing living-breathing fine art. It's a passion of mine to make women, especially tattooed women, feel confident in their own skin and embrace their individuality through their body art.

Are you tattooed yourself? If yes or no, how does that affect your relationship with your subject?    

 I am tattooed! I have my arms pretty much covered, and a large upper back piece. Being tattooed myself can oftentimes create a connection & mutual understanding of knowing how to express yourself through photography + body art.

 I also think that this shapes my aesthetic, I seem to be drawn to those who also embody a similar sense of individuality through their tattoos.

How do tattoos change your approach to lighting, angles, and composition compared to non-tattooed subjects, if at all?

Tattoos definitely change my approach when it comes to lighting, angles, and composition. I am a lot more mindful of showcasing my subject's tattoos- and sometimes it ends up being a huge part of the visual narrative. Lighting cannot be too harsh, as tattoos can lose detail or look too soft. When it comes to angles and composition, I'm keeping in mind how certain tattoos wrap around or accentuate the body.

With non-tattooed people my focus is more so on other parts of their personality, without any layer of tattoos as part of the visual narrative.

Does someone’s tattoos play into the photo direction, or do you see them as a blank canvas the way a non-tattooed model would be.

Tattoos can definitely play into the photo direction. At times the tattoos can become the focal point or the "look" that's needed to tie into the overall aesthetic for the shoot- just adding extra layers to the visual narrative.  

Have you noticed any recurring themes or symbols in the tattoos of the women you photograph?

I have noticed some recurring themes + symbols. I'd say there are a lot of common motifs that are vintage-inspired designs- whether it's tattooed in fine-line, black & grey, traditional, etc.

I see a lot of classic pin-up styles, hearts, roses, daggers, gothic/occult symbols, and a lot of other iconography that complement the femme fatale and burlesque aesthetic I aim for.

What do you hope viewers take away from your portraits of tattooed women?

Ultimately I'm hoping viewers take away a sense of individuality from my photographs of tattooed women. I hope the tattoos are able to be seen as personal expression that's layered within the vintage, timeless, burlesque, dominatrix aesthetic I aim to capture through my photography.

What has surprised you the most about the stories behind the tattoos of your subjects?

I'm always surprised & also fascinated when I remember how deeply personal and varied tattoos can be on each person. Some tattoos are purely aesthetic and some carry deeper meanings. Some people only have 1 tattoo, meanwhile others can be pretty much covered head-to-toe; and I DEEPLY love learning about everyone's individual tattoo journey. It's also really fun documenting my subject's tattoo progression with each shoot we do! Each tattoo, no matter how big or small, is a piece of their personal story that's woven into the photograph- and I love that.

How do you think photography can challenge or reshape societal perceptions of tattooed women?

I think that photography is an incredibly powerful way to highlight a tattooed person's beauty, complexity, self-expression, sensuality, etc. WITHOUT making it about "rebellion" or non-conformity. Photography can challenge outdated stereotypes about tattooed women by presenting them in ways that emphasize art and self-expression.

By adding elements of vintage glam at times, it's my goal to show that tattooed women can also embody timeless beauty and elegance.

How has photographing tattooed women influenced your personal view of body art?

I would say that photographing other tattooed women has really deepened my personal appreciation for tattoos, and tattoos of pretty much any style. Being very tattooed myself, I understand and value the  connection to the art & the meaning (if any) behind each tattoo. I love that tattoos are symbols of identity and personal history, not always just decoration. Working with tattooed women reinforced my strong appreciation for tattoos & tattoo artists. I have also learned how tattoos can be a form of empowerment- shaping how we present ourselves & also how we are perceived in society, while being able to carry around hand-picked artwork done by very talented people (most of the time).

Do you have a preference for photographing certain types of tattoo art—traditional, fine line, black and gray, etc.?

No! I don’t have any preferences when it comes to photographing a certain style- I can really appreciate all styles of tattoos, even if it’s not a style I'd personally go for.

Each style can bring something unique to a photograph. Whether it's fine-line, traditional, black and gray, or a vibrant colorful piece- I have a good time finding ways to highlight tattoos to emphasize the broader aesthetic within the shoot!

How does tattoo placement on different parts of the body influence the posing and angles you choose?

Tattoo placement definitely influences how I approach poses and angles with my subjects. Depending on the tattoo placement, I may adjust my composition to flatter certain pieces and make sure everything flows naturally in the photograph. My goal is to photograph tattooed women in a way that is organic, while being highly aware of every detail & tattoo to enhance the visual narrative.

Any upcoming projects we should look out for?

I don't have any immediate specific projects lined up at the moment. I'm always working on new concepts for shoots, so there's definitely more exciting content & shoots coming soon. I've got plenty of creative plans in the works that I can't wait to share!