A UK photographer Mark Leaver (an interview with him here) decided to take a fresh look at something that seems to be the ultimate hardcore thing in the tattoo world – facial tattoos. He photographed around 30 people in the UK whose facial tattoos are very distinct and quite well-known. Some of his subjects are professional body modification artists (Xed LeHead is one of them!), some of them started young while others are late bloomers. They’re shown at work and in private, intimate situations. In a way, it’s like an ultimate way to tame the tattooed Other, someone so different from us that we can’t even imagine them in ‘normal’ settings.

The final outcome is stunning and gives much food for thought.