The Following links and articles speak to a part of the tattoo process itself.
Stories and Ink
This is a great article discussing getting tattooed.
Ink TherapyMemorial Tattoos
A formal, academic study of people getting a tattoo memorializing a loved one.
Memorial TattoosTattoos and Ownership of Body and Story
An article about chronic pain and getting tattooed.
Body and StoryTattoo as Therapeutic Experience
An overview of the overall experience.
Tattoo as Therapeutic ExperienceTattoo as Very Traumatic Experience
On the other side of the spectrum, is a sub-culture within a sub-culture.
Tattoo as Very Traumatic ExperienceTrends in Tattooing
What's hot now.
Current Tattoo TrendsTattoo Hunter: Lars Krutak
Cross-cultural anthropological look at Tattooing and Tattoos.
The Tattoo HunterBodies of Subversion: Margot Mifflin
Broad study with Photos of the History of Women and Tattooing.
History of Women and Tattoos