Specialty
Portrait & Memorial Tattoos in Whitby
Portrait and memorial tattoos are some of the most personal pieces we do. A face, a pet, a date or a tribute, drawn from a photo you bring. At HeadRush Whitby, portraits and memorial work are handled by Ross, Max and Maks.
What portrait & memorial work involves
- •Portrait realism, usually black & grey, sometimes colour. Photo-true rendering of a person, animal or object that matters.
- •Reference quality matters. The clearer the photo, the better the tattoo.
- •Memorial pieces often combine portrait work with lettering, dates, banners, or symbolic elements (flowers, religious symbols, etc.).
- •These take time. Most portraits are 4–6 hour single sessions; larger memorial compositions span 2–3 sessions.
What makes a portrait work
- •A clean, well-lit reference photo. Direct sunlight or window light works best; avoid phone flash and heavy filters.
- •The face fills the frame. Group photos cropped down don't carry enough detail.
- •The size matters. Portraits below palm-sized lose too much detail. We'll tell you the minimum viable size at consultation.
- •Placement on stable skin. Upper arm, shoulder, chest, calf, thigh. Not on areas that flex constantly.
Getting the best result
- •A clear reference photo gives the best likeness. Send what you have and we will tell you what it can become.
- •Portraits need size: we recommend palm-sized or larger.
- •Memorial pieces take no rush, and we never push you to book.
Who does portraits at HeadRush
Ross, Max and Maksall take portrait and memorial bookings. Ross and Maks for black & grey realism. Max for colour realism, neo-traditional, or memorial work with lettering and decorative framing.
Pricing
- •Studio minimum: $135 (HST included).
- •Hourly rate: $180–$200 depending on artist.
- •Single-day portrait (5–8 hours): $1,000–$2,000.
- •Larger memorial compositions: split across 2–3 sessions, priced by hours.
You get the exact price in writing at your free 30-minute consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a good reference photo look like?+
Direct natural light, in focus, the subject's face filling the frame. Window light or outdoor daylight is best. Phone flash distorts shadows; heavy filters strip the contrast we use to render depth.
What if I only have a low-quality photo of someone who has passed?+
Send it anyway and we will look. Sometimes we can work from a less-than-ideal reference, and sometimes the right call is a stylised illustrative interpretation. We will tell you what is achievable.
Can you do a portrait of multiple people in one piece?+
Yes, but composition matters. A two-person portrait usually needs to be larger than a single-face portrait to keep both faces readable. We will plan layout at the consultation.
How long does a portrait take to heal?+
About 2 to 4 weeks for surface healing. Your artist gives you aftercare for the wrap they used.
Do you do pet portraits?+
Yes. See our guide to pet portrait tattoos for what makes a good reference photo.
Ready to start?
Book a free 30-minute consultation. Bring your references, talk through size and placement, and leave with a session count and a price. No deposit until you book the session.
Book a free consultation