Apollo is a working studio in Ocean Park, Santa Monica — 2625 Main St — and the right Los Angeles tattoo artist for you is the one whose healed portfolio already looks like the piece you're imagining. Blue Mason has been tattooing here since 2007 (black & grey, fine line, traditional, neo-trad, realism); Raa joined in 2012 for portrait realism, David DaVinci in 2014 for color portraiture, and Hannah Newman in 2025 for fine line and minimalist script. The sentence is the tattoo. The images are only how it looks.
Open 8am–8pm, seven days a week, with free consults and a $150 shop minimum on walk-ins. Browse the roster below, then click the style guide that fits your idea for healed work, placement notes, and quote ranges. We'd rather match the chair to the idea than book you with whoever's open this week — bring a reference, bring a half-formed sentence, we'll do the rest.
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5000+ clients 
A quick map from style to artist. Click into a style guide below for portfolios and process details.
Delicate, precise work using ultra-thin needles for intricate designs. Perfect for botanicals, minimalist pieces, and detailed small tattoos.
Artists: Hannah, Blue
Bold outlines, classic imagery, and timeless American tattooing style with modern influences.
Artists: Blue, David
Traditional Japanese-inspired designs with flowing compositions, bold imagery, and cultural significance.
Artists: Blue
Photorealistic tattoos that capture likeness and emotion with stunning accuracy.
Artists: Raa, David, Blue
Solid black ink designs, patterns, and mathematical precision for striking visual impact.
Artists: Blue
Painterly effects, soft gradients, and artistic interpretations of classic tattoo imagery.
Artists: David
Click into the style you want — each guide goes deep on what the piece will look like, how it ages, and which Apollo artist specializes in it.
Ultra-thin single-needle work — botanicals, script, micro detail.
View fine line guide →Photorealistic portraits, nature, and black & gray work.
View realism guide →Likeness work — faces, memorials, classical fine-art portraiture.
View portrait guide →Bold outlines, classic Americana, neo-traditional twists.
View traditional guide →Irezumi-inspired sleeves and back pieces — flowing, symbolic composition.
View Japanese guide →Solid black, dotwork, ornamental, and illustrative blackwork.
View blackwork guide →Painterly washes and soft gradients, with or without outline.
View watercolor guide →The thinnest fine line technique — micro-detail, gray wash, hairline strokes.
View single-needle guide →Clean, restrained designs — symbols, small icons, tiny script.
View minimalist guide →Custom calligraphy, name tattoos, quotes, and meaningful words.
View script guide →Tiny tattoos — placement strategy and longevity tips for small work.
View small tattoo guide →Soft, feminine line work — florals, jewelry-like detail.
View dainty guide →Designs and placements curated for the feminine body and aesthetic.
View feminine guide →Strategic black/dense work to disguise older tattoos.
View cover-up guide →Off-the-wall pre-drawn designs — walk-in friendly, ready to go.
View flash guide →Clear next step
Schedule your consultation with our award-winning artists
Recommended first step
Reserve your tattoo session and let Apollo confirm the right artist, timing, and scope.
Tattoo bookings are a reservation, not the full session length. After you book, we will follow up to confirm your design details, quote range, and the total time needed for your piece so everything fits your vision and the schedule.
5000+ clientsFinding your perfect tattoo artist in Los Angeles
Know what you want—fine line, traditional, realism, etc. This narrows your search for the right Los Angeles tattoo artist.
Study each LA artist's work. Look for consistency, healed photos, and pieces similar to your vision.
Meet your potential Los Angeles tattoo artist. Discuss ideas, ask questions, and confirm compatibility.
Once you've chosen, trust your LA tattoo artist's expertise on sizing, placement, and execution.
Founder Founder & Master Artist
Blue Mason founded Apollo Studio with a vision to elevate tattoo artistry in Los Angeles. With over 20 years of experience, he specializes in fine line work, photorealistic portraits, bold tribal designs, traditional pieces, and stunning cover-ups.
Realism Expert Realism Specialist
Raa is a master of photorealistic tattooing, bringing portraits and nature scenes to life with incredible detail. Clients travel from across Los Angeles for his signature hyper-realistic style.
Portrait Expert Portrait Specialist
David brings classical artistry to modern tattooing at our Los Angeles studio. Trained in fine arts, he excels at capturing emotion and likeness in portrait work and color realism.
Minimalist Expert Minimalist Specialist
Hannah brings fresh energy and meticulous attention to detail to our Los Angeles studio. Specializing in delicate fine line work, script, and minimalist designs, she creates pieces that are both subtle and stunning.
What consultations with our Los Angeles tattoo artists include:
Consultation Cost: Free
Location: 2625 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405 (serving all of Los Angeles)
Book ConsultationEvery Apollo tattoo uses 100% vegan ink — Fusion, World Famous, and Dynamic brands. No animal products, no compromises on color or longevity.
See What Our Satisfied Clients Have to Say
"The tattoo artists at Apollo are the best in Los Angeles. Blue's attention to detail on my portrait was unreal—looks exactly like the photo!"
"Best tattoo artist experience in LA. Hannah understood exactly what I wanted and made it even better than I imagined."
"The artists here take their time to get it right. Hannah's fine line work is absolutely stunning—so delicate and precise."
"Found my forever tattoo artist at Apollo. Raa's realism work is museum quality. Worth traveling across LA for!"
"What sets Apollo's LA artists apart is how much they listen. They really collaborate with you on the design."
"The most talented tattoo artists in Los Angeles, hands down. David's color work exceeded all expectations."
5000+ clients
Santa Monica, CA (Serving Los Angeles)
Apollo was founded by Blue Mason in 2007. With 20+ years of body art experience, Blue brings master-level expertise to every piece. Read Blue's story →
Common questions about our Los Angeles tattoo artists
"Best" is style-specific — the right LA tattoo artist for you is the one whose existing work already looks like the piece you want. Apollo's roster covers fine line (Hannah, Blue), photorealism and portraits (Raa, David, Blue), traditional and Japanese (Blue, David), and blackwork. The fastest way to choose is to start with the style guide that matches your idea, then click through to the artist's portfolio from there.
Start with the style guide above for the kind of tattoo you want. Each guide goes deep on how the style ages, what placements work best, and which Apollo artist specializes in it. From there, book a free consultation with the recommended artist — we'd rather match you to the right person than book you with whoever's available.
Absolutely. Book directly with your preferred Los Angeles tattoo artist or note your preference when scheduling. If you're unsure who fits your idea best, mention what you're thinking in the inquiry form and we'll suggest the right person.
Yes — Hannah Newman specializes in fine line, script, and minimalist work. Our roster includes artists of varied backgrounds; the most important match is style and craft, not demographic. Check portfolios to find the work that resonates with your vision.
Yes. Every custom tattoo project at Apollo starts with a complimentary consultation — portfolio walkthrough, placement and sizing recommendations, timeline, and an accurate quote range. No obligation, no pressure.
That's the most common starting point. Browse the style guides above — they include healed photos, examples by placement, and a description of how each style ages over time. If you're still unsure after that, book a consultation; the conversation often clarifies what you actually want.
Apollo sits at 2625 Main St in Santa Monica, a block from the beach and easy to reach from anywhere on the Westside. Here's roughly how long it takes to get to us for tattoos and piercings:
There's metered street parking on Main Street and Ocean Park Blvd, plus a public lot on 2nd Street a short walk away. We recommend giving yourself an extra 10 minutes to park on weekends — Main Street gets busy with the farmers market and beach traffic. If you're running late, text us at the studio and we'll hold your appointment.
Book a free consultation to meet our award-winning artists and discuss your vision.
Recognized in Santa Monica's Most Loved 2025 & 2026
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