Photographs of people with heavily tattooed bodies that usually cover their entire bodies

Many people use their bodies as canvases for beautiful body art. Some people stop getting tattoos after one or two, while others keep going until large parts of their bodies are covered in bright ink. These brave bodies are shown in COVERED, a tribute by British photographer Alan Powdrill to people willing to go to the extreme with their tattoos. In his collection, he has two pictures of each person. In one, they are wrapped from head to toe; in the other, they show off their detailed tattoos.

The eye-opening pictures show how complicated it is to be a person. For these people, clothes are only a tiny part of their lives. Powdrill's subjects are business executives, hardworking labourers, and responsible parents who wear suits, fitted jeans, and ironed shirts. We see ourselves in a certain way when we wear these clothes, showing that we are "refined." When they are naked, though, it offers a different side of their personality, and it makes us wonder if we should change our minds about someone if we see they have a massive tiger on their back. Also, can a single picture show the full range of a person's character?

Powdrill met the people in COVERED at tattoo conventions and on social media sites like Instagram. As word of the project spread, he found many people eager to show off their work. The pictures were taken outside the sitters' homes, and Powdrill wrote something meaningful about each one's tattoos.

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"My tattoos are a part of who I am, and I will still love my bodysuit when I am 80 years old. It is all about the love I get for the way I look." (Victoria, 37)

I was 17. I kept the first few from my parents for many years, and by the time they found out, they knew this would be my life." (Philip, 27)

When I started, I was 51, and my father had already died. My mother did not say anything because she was starting to get dementia. (Graham, 58)

My mom did not like the swallow on my hand at all, so I told her, "Look, it is not like I am selling heroin on the street." (Alex, 49)

I am still determining when I will stop. As long as there is still room, it will be filled. I do not think I will ever change my mind." (Michelle, 53)

When I was 14, my mom told me that if I got another one, she would throw me out of the house. (Simon, 45)

Since I got sick with Crohn's, they have helped me feel good about life. I will still love them as much as I do now." (Peter, 38)

I am past the point where I can stop. It hurts like hell, but I would not change my look for anything." (Unsal, 46)

I started when I was 14 years old in 1963, and I do not think I will ever stop." (Dave, 66)

I love that I am in my forties, have a good job, work with straight people, and have the words "No F****** Way" tattooed on my chest. (Bill, 59)