Tattoo Models

This is one of the most important legal considerations for any production or brand featuring tattooed talent, and one that HHM takes seriously. Tattoos are original artistic works and may be subject to copyright protection — a tattoo artist can, in principle, assert IP rights over their work if it appears in commercial imagery without a licence. For productions and brands, this creates a potential legal exposure that is easy to overlook at the casting stage and difficult to resolve after the fact. HHM confirms that none of the tattooed models represented on the roster have third-party IP or royalty rights assigned to any tattoo artist over the tattoos on their body. Productions and brands booking tattooed talent through HHM can proceed with confidence that no undisclosed third-party IP claim attaches to the imagery. This confirmation applies regardless of whether the tattoos are the primary focus of the brief or incidentally visible — including in close-up or specialist body parts work where a tattoo may appear within the shooting area.

Where a brief requires a specific tattoo design to appear on a model — a bespoke piece created for a campaign rather than using the model's existing tattoos — the production is responsible for sourcing a tattoo artist to deliver the look on set. HHM can assist with recommendations if needed, but the arrangement is a client responsibility. The critical restriction is that any design applied must be temporary and fully removable on the same day as the shoot. Permanent tattooing or semi-permanent applications are not permitted under any circumstances. Applying a permanent or semi-permanent tattoo constitutes a lasting alteration to the model's appearance that directly affects their castability for other work and creates a real risk of loss of earnings. Under HHM's Terms and Conditions, any such alteration requires additional negotiated fees and the model's explicit prior written consent — and HHM will not agree to it on the model's behalf without full prior discussion and agreement. For briefs requiring a bespoke tattoo look, temporary transfers, body paint or specialist cosmetic applications that are fully removable the same day are the correct route. The artist responsible should be confirmed and briefed before the booking is finalised.

For London-based productions, HHM can often accommodate last-minute tattoo model bookings, though availability depends on the specific aesthetic, coverage level and placement required. Tattoo briefs are among the more specific in terms of casting criteria — the right talent for a brief requiring a full sleeve is different from the right talent for a brief requiring a subtle neck piece �� so early confirmation is beneficial wherever the specific look is critical to the creative. For same-day contingency, HHM will always be transparent about what is achievable within the available timeframe.

Yes. Productions casting across tattooed and non-tattooed commercial talent can be managed entirely through HHM, with a single point of contact and consistent contract terms throughout. This is common for lifestyle and brand campaigns where a range of looks and aesthetics is required within the same shoot. Contact the agency with the full scope of the production brief and HHM will confirm casting options across all required talent types simultaneously.

For recognisable bookings where a client requires the talent not to appear in competing brand campaigns, a bespoke exclusivity fee is negotiated at the time of booking with the scope — sector, territory, duration — defined and confirmed in writing. Where talent appears unrecognisably in the final content, exclusivity is not applicable under HHM's standard terms. This applies equally to tattooed talent as to all other commercial models on the roster.