Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQ

Q: Where is the studio located?
A: Vanesa works in a private studio space in Durham, NC

Q: When are tattoo appointments available?
A: Vanesa has regular work days on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays! Vanesa usually books out about 1-2 months in advance.

Q: Can I bring someone with me to my appointment?
A: Yes! You can bring one guest with you to your tattoo session

Q: How do I make an appointment?
A: Submit your tattoo idea via the request form and Vanesa will contact you to move forward with scheduling! If the form is disabled, Vanesa is not currently accepting new tattoo requests.

Q: What types of references or inspiration pictures should I send?
A: Please share a picture of a tattoo Vanesa has done, as well as other photos for inspiration! You can share examples of tattoos by other artists as general inspiration for a concept, placement, the flow of the design, etc. but Vanesa will not replicate another artist’s work (without explicit permission).

Images generated by AI will not be used for reference.
No exceptions.

Q: How quickly can I expect a response to my tattoo request?
A: You should receive an initial response within 1 week; please be patient! (Be sure to double check your spam folder) If you don’t see a reply to your booking request from Vanesa, please email vanesa@vreevestattoo.com directly! You can also message Vanesa on Instagram to confirm if your form was successfully submitted.

Q: What should I expect during the scheduling process?
A: After communicating via email, you’ll be sent a link to access the booking page. Through this link, you can select an appointment date and pay the retainer fee online. Payment is required to secure an appointment and you will receive a confirmation email.

If you don't hear from Vanesa before the appointment, that means you are good to go for your chosen date and time!

Q: What is a retainer fee?
A: The retainer fee is “a down payment on a professional’s services to ensure you have priority.” This fee covers the cost of processing your tattoo request and scheduling your session! The $150 fee is credited towards the overall cost of your tattoo and is not refundable.

Q: What is your cancellation policy?
A: If you fail to reschedule with 48 hours notice prior to the appointment, a new retainer fee is required to reschedule.  If an appointment is rescheduled twice in a row, completely canceled without 48 hours notice, or you do not show up, you will no longer be able to book an appointment.

Q: How much do you charge?
A: Vanesa charges approximately $200/hour and sessions can range from 1 - 5 hours of tattooing

Tarot Reading Tattoo
$700 - 800 | ~ 3 - 4 hours of tattooing

Q: What forms of payment do you accept?
A: The remaining balance is paid on the day of your tattoo session via Venmo, PayPal, with a debit/credit card, or in cash. Cash or card is preferred over Venmo or PayPal

Q: Will I get to see a drawing in advance?
A: Vanesa does not send designs to clients before they come in to get tattooed because she feels it is best to collaborate face to face! Custom tattoo designs are drawn in advance but can always be changed.

Q: What if part of my tattoo doesn't heal well or seems faded?
A: Email Vanesa a photo of your tattoo and point out the area of concern to schedule a touch up! Touch ups are free of charge

Tarot FAQ

Q: How does the tarot reading tattoo work?
A: The tattoo design is inspired by the meanings of the cards! With a tarot reading tattoo, the design is totally collaborative and fully customizable (with a general theme of natural elements).

A variety of plants, animals, insects, and traditional tarot imagery can be chosen to correlate with the meanings of the tarot cards. Every tattoo is as unique as the message the tarot cards hold for each individual! For Vanesa, tarot is a tool for spiritual growth and development. Tarot has developed over the centuries to help us follow a path of self-knowledge and inner transformation.

Q: Why include a tarot reading in the tattoo process?
A: Vanesa wanted to add an extra layer to the tattoo experience by incorporating tarot readings. Drawing inspiration from tarot cards to create a design with intention can make getting tattooed a healing experience. It can also simply be a fun way to find inspiration! It’s different for each client.

Q: How long does a tarot reading tattoo session take?
A: The reading & design process takes 1-2 hours; the tattoo itself can take anywhere from 2 - 4+ hours depending on the size and level of detail in the tattoo. Larger, more detailed designs may require additional sessions

Q: Can a specific tarot card be requested within the design?
A: Absolutely! There are ways to do a tarot reading where you search for a specific card with the energy you wish to embrace and see within the tattoo. A tarot card can literally be included in the final design or imagery can be taken from the cards and reframed by flowers, foliage, etc. It can also be a floral arrangement that corresponds with the cards drawn for you! Possibilities are endless!

Q: What if I get a really “bad” reading?
A: Vanesa does not believe there are any bad cards! Some cards may suggest a challenge or hardship but these are an opportunity to grow, find inner strength, and courage. It's not always about the card you draw but how you interpret it!

Q: Can we bring our own deck to use for reading?
A: Vanesa prefers to use her own decks for this process because she is connected with them. There are multiple decks for the client to choose which they feel drawn to! However you are welcome to bring your own deck with you just in case.