Local, Loyal and Lovable:
The Faces of Dark Light Tattoo
Fort Collins, Colo.
Zach Atlan, owner of Dark Light Tattoo, finishes a session with a client on Apr. 16, 2022, in Fort Collins, Colo. Atlan has been tattooing for more than nine years, boasting a unique realistic style. Photo by Merit Davey.
Zach Atlan poses for a portrait in his Fort Collins, Colo. tattoo shop on Apr. 23, 2022. To Atlan sees visual art as a major contributor to a person's life: "I want to relate, inspire, and open the minds of everyone I meet. I want to help people find their light in the dark." Photo by Merit Davey.
Dark Light Tattoo artists working on Apr. 16, 2022, in Fort Collins, Colo. Atlan takes pride in the shop's high standards for art, equipment and staff. "While we keep the shop environment relaxed and fun, we still care a ton about quality," Atlan said. "We want to work with the best people we can." Photos by Merit Davey.
Dark Light Tattoo artists Mark Blackard (left), Onyx Bizzo (center) and Shiloh James (right) pose for portraits on Apr. 23, 2022, in Fort Collins, Colo. The artists each have workspaces in the same section of the shop, allowing them to easily bounce ideas, jokes and lunch suggestions off the others. Photos by Merit Davey.
Dark Light tattoo artist Shiloh James tattoos a client on Apr. 23, 2022, in Fort Collins, Colo. Despite his intimidating lumberjack aura, James is always quick to crack jokes and make customers feel at ease. Photo by Merit Davey.
Dark Light Tattoo artist Mark Blackard tattoos a client on Apr. 23, 2022, in Fort Collins, Colo. The snow leopard, named "Duke Kitty" by the client (right), took six hours to finish. Despite the long session, Blackard's easygoing California personality kept her at ease. Photos by Merit Davey.
Several Dark Light Tattoo customer interactions happening on Apr. 23, 2022, in Fort Collins, Colo. "We want the shop to feel like an old school barber shop," Atlan said. "Somewhere people feel like they're at home." (Left, top) Dark Light artist Onyx Bizzo relaxes at her work station while waiting for a client. (Left, bottom) Dark Light artist Evan Makey takes a smoke break outside with two clients. (Right) Dark Light artists Shiloh James takes a picture of two friends after tattooing their matching feather designs.
Zach Atlan's daughter, Willow, peers through the shop window during a candid portrait on Apr. 16, 2022, in Fort Collins, Colo. For Atlan, owning Dark Light is an extension of his immediate family. "This shop is my tribe," Atlan said. "I love the art. I love the people. I love what I do, and I would never change that."