Stories We Carry on our Backs

A Christchurch Portrait Project

Every tattoo tells a story.

Some mark loss. Some celebrate survival. Some honour family, culture, faith, recovery, love, or a moment that changed a life forever.

Stories We Carrhy on our backs is a portrait project by photographer Craig Forster, exploring the stories behind meaningful back tattoos from people across Christchurch and Canterbury.

The tattoo itself is only part of the story. Behind every piece of ink is a person, a journey, and a reason it was placed there. This project aims to capture both the artwork and the human story behind it through a series of portraits and conversations.

Over the coming months, participants will be invited into 921 Studios for a complimentary portrait session. Alongside the photographs, each person will have the opportunity to share the story behind their tattoo, creating a collection of images that celebrate resilience, identity, memory and personal expression.

The long-term goal is to create a public exhibition showcasing the people and stories that make up this collection.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re looking for people with meaningful back tattoos and a story they’re willing to share.

It doesn’t need to be the biggest tattoo, the most colourful, or the most technically impressive.

We’re interested in the meaning behind it.

Participants may have tattoos that represent:

  • Family and relationships

  • Personal milestones

  • Recovery and resilience

  • Cultural identity

  • Memorials and remembrance

  • Life-changing experiences

  • Personal passions and beliefs

What Participants Receive

  • A complimentary portrait session at 921 Studios

  • A professionally photographed portrait featuring their tattoo

  • A copy of their final image

  • The opportunity to be featured in the ongoing project and future exhibition

Participation is completely free.

About the Photographer

Craig Forster is a Christchurch-based photographer and filmmaker, and the founder of 921 Studios and Lightchasers.

Stories We Carry is a personal project focused on celebrating the people behind the artwork, creating portraits that are as much about human connection as they are about tattoo culture.

Know Someone With An Amazing Back Tattoo?

Many of the best stories belong to people who would never volunteer themselves.

If you know someone whose tattoo tells a remarkable story, we’d love to hear about them.

Please get in touch and tell us a little about the person you’re nominating and why their story should be included in the project.