Just Looking for Some Opinions

I lost my dad in 2002...my mom, my sister and I all got tattoos on our wrists this past year...my mom's says "live", my sister's says "laugh" and mine says "love"...the 'e' at the end of mine is the backwards looking 3 kind, just like my dad used to write them:) That was what I did in remembrance of him...I love it very much and am glad I chose it. We tossed around a lot of ideas...but this was what we came up with.

I say go with what ever your heart tells you. I would probably choose the image that I have that closely resembles what I think of when I picture him in my head...if I were to go that route.

I have 2 tattoos and don't what to be a "debbie-downer" or anything but seeing how I kind of regret my 1st one...I feel obligated to say, give it lots of thought before committing it to your body. I am sure you have already heard all the stuff they say about portraits or pictures as tattoos...they rarely turn out as good as we would have hoped...and then sometimes they don't age that well on our skin...just think it thru!
What ever you decide we will be great...I am sure of it!

~My Pops used to hold up 3 fingers or tell us "1-2-3"...which was his way of saying "I love you"...I thought about these as options, I am a more private person and was drawn to the subtle and something that only I/we would know...but that's just personal preference.

I am sorry about your dad...loosing a parent is tough...a lot tougher than I had thought it would be.

Best Wishes

I think that however you picture him in your mind when you remember him is the right image.

Personally, I don't like the picture tats, no matter how good the artist, I just think they always look bad. I would get a heart or some other symbol that represent him with his name or initials in it.

I agree with so many of the previous posters, but I have to add my thoughts as well. I have just one tattoo and have always loved it. I would suggest if you are going with a photograph, choose one that has meaning for you no matter when it was taken. Actually after reading your question my first thought was that you should get something that has meaning for him or for both of you. As an example my grandmother collected frogs, when she passed away, my cousin got a tattoo of a frog with angel wings. So think about what did your dad love to collect or do. Maybe a special place the two of you have a memory and you could get an icon from that place. A verse from his favorite song, or his favorite bible passage. What ever has meaning for you.

my sister got a rose that says Dad across it it is very pretty and not very big.

I dont have any tattoos (but want one) Both my parents are gone. :-( Mom 9 years and Dad 3 years. Dad and I didn't have a good relationship for the last 8, but when I think of him; I think of him when I was between 10 and 13, we had SO much fun. So my opinion to you would be to get a pic of your Dad they way YOU remember him best, something that will make you smile and remember something good and/or fun.

I love tattoos and have 3 and will, at some point, get more. I don't think I could get a picture of my parent on me, but if that's what you like...you should! I have my daughters name and my parent's initials. What about something like that? I like the other idea of getting something that meant something to him...music, sports, etc.

And I'm so sorry for your loss.

I would pick a picture from a time that holds a great memory for you. Something like a special outing or one that has a great story behind it. Make the remembrance a happy memory.

I would select your most favorite picture of your dad. A picture that captures his true spirit. Remember him as he was for most of your life. My father is also sick. I know he would would not want me to think of him theway he is now, instead he would want me to remember his as the strong, healthy man he once was. Whatever you choose, it will be a special way to remember your dad. Good luck.

When my father in law passed away, my son got a tattoo of what my FIL loved the most....a musician in a band. He had 2 accoustic guitars with FIL's name, date of birth and passing. It was really beautifully done. So if your dad really enjoyed something, you could have that inked on yourself. Like others have said, poitraits are hard to do, and if its not done right, you will not be happy, so think it through, Tattoos are forever. And like you said in your post, you would know that the picture that was used as his obit. photo was when he was sick, so in my mind, everytime I looked at it, I would remember it was during his most difficult time, and that would make me sad. It is really nice that you want to memorialize him that way.
Good luck with your decision. I am sure you will make the right one.

I'm sure you miss him and would like to have a remembrance of him, but you might want to consider remembering him in some other way that others could see and enjoy. I've heard that planting a tree in a loved one's memory is a great thing to do, or donating something to a good cause (like a bench with a plaque to a park or playground). He might like to know that your gesture has helped others too.

If you heart is set on a tattoo of a picture of your dad then I would go with your favorite photo of him....but be very careful when having a portrait as a tattoo...sometimes even the very best artists don't capture it exactly and they tend to look...well strange. I'm not against tattoos at all both my husband and I have a few along w/ many friends (from simple to full sleeves) but I have never actually seen a really good portrait picture done as a tat. Other options might be to honor him w/ a tattoo depicting his favorite past time, or maybe his birthdate, there are a ton of really cool symbols you could do to honor him - his birth sign, or chinese birthdate for example.

What ever you decide just choose from your heart. I'm sorry for your loss

my husband is a tattoo artist... I think memorial tattoos are so beautiful no matter what you have done. My 1st tattoo (will be) of my dogs paw when she passes. I have not lost anyone really close to me and am not a get a tattoo just because its pretty kind of person. Obviously since I could be covered for free and have NONE! My dog is my oldest child I feel and have been through alot with her (13 year old Rottie).... my husband clipped her hair and nails then stamped her paw already and we are hanging on to it. I didn't want her dead paw but her alive one. Pick a picture that makes you happy. One that best reflects how you want to remember your dad. I have a great picture of my grandfather (the closest person I lost.... 13 years ago tomorrow) that I display. It is not a professional portrait but it is of him outside in his backyard goofing off. He has a goofy expression on his face but that was him, a total goof ball who loved having fun and enjoyed a good laugh. That is my favorite picture not the nice professional portrait that was taken more recently. If you don't want to be reminded of him being sick (since you obviously know he was when that one was taken) I would pick another favorite. Just my opinion. As Lila said portrait tattoos are difficult so make sure you see tons of work that the artist has done, the original picture and finished tattoo before you schedule an appointment to have that done. I have thought of having a tattoo representing my kids but not their names (my hubby has that) and have been considering the perfect symbol/picture for each of them. So that is another suggestion as well.
Hope this helps :)

Instead of getting his picture inked on you, what about a word or symbol that reminds you most of him? That every time you looked at it, it would evoke a certain emotion that you loved and reminded you so much of your dad? If you are set on having a picture of him, then you should get the picture that you like the most of your dad, not the most recent. The picture that makes you smile every time you look at it. What a wonderful way to honor your dad. :)

I'm so sorry for your loss. I lost my dad about 6 years ago. My brother got one in honor of our father. He went with a picture that honored what Dad did for a living-a semi. So, is there something that you look at that reminds you of him, instead of a picture? Just a thought.

My Mom died a couple of years back. Very sad, very long and painful and she didn't look as dazzling towards the end as she had during her beautiful life. I asked my kids about her and their only memories were those of her when she looked healthy.
What I would suggest is that you choose a pic that gives you the most happy memories of your Dad. If that was when he was younger, so be it.
Good luck.

IS there any specific thing you associate with your dad? Maybe music or something tangible. I have one tattoo for me and I'm having a little frog done for my son( he makes the cutest froggy like face and his nursery has always been frog themed and his nickname is tadpole) So is there something like that you can do? Having a picture doesn't often turn out much at all like the original image so you may not like how it comes out. Even a spectacular tatoo artist will have difficulty translating an image of that type. Good luck with what you pick ( though I'd pick a picture of a happy moment with your dad if you're set on having a pic so that specific face is the memory you hold onto)

I don't do tattoos but if you are going to use a picture, I would think a picture that you would like to remember him as. Maybe smiling and happy?

I don't have any tattoos, but I'm fascinated by them. Some of the artwork is absolutely amazing.
I would look around for a really great and well recommended artist and run your ideas by them. Look at their book of past work.
They may be able to help you come up with an idea if you're having a hard time.
Where do you want it? How much space do you have to work with?
My dad loved fishing. He had a pole in my hand before I could even sit up by myself. So, if I got one on rememberance of my dad, it would likely be a little fish somewhere. He also loved to sing so maybe some musical notes.

All I know is that a tattoo is permanent. So, if you really want a portrait of your dad, get one that is the way you want to remember him. My dad was very sick before he passed away, but let me tell you, he was so gorgeous when he was younger! If it was me, I'd have one of his Navy photos. He was so good looking, it's almost unreal. Brad Pitt? Puhhhh.
I would want something to remind me of how absolutely beautiful my dad was. But that's just me. There are very few pictures taken of him when he was ill and I know he wouldn't want to be remembered that way.
It will be 2 years in September that I lost my dad. I really miss him so I know how you feel about wanting to remember him.
Just take a few silent moments and have a little talk with your dad. He might lead you to your answer.
I still talk to my daddy all the time.
Like I said, do your research and make sure you get a really talented artist.

Best wishes to you.
Let us know how it comes out!

I say go for a picture that has the most meaning to you. Before or after he was sick shouldn't matter I don't think.

I'm sorry to hear about your Dad. I think getting a tattoo in his honor is beautiful!

My opinion is to use your most favorite picture of him. Whether it was recent, when he was sick or way back in the day. Thats what I would do.