Tattoos are a Storytelling Device for our Lives

In the past, having tattoos was viewed negatively. You had to be in a bad crowd, or something bad happened to you. As time passes, the way people view them has changed, too.

Jorge Orozco, a photographer with Fresno State Athletics, has tattoos all over his body. He is a retired Army veteran, and his tattoos represent both his military life and his personal life.

Tattoos can have many different meanings to people who see them, but in this case, each tattoo has a very special meaning to him. The military side is the side he has moved on from, but the lessons ingrained there remain with him, while the personal side is with him now, as he continues to grow.

“My military career was just one part of my life,” said Orozco. “It’s not the highlight of my life. It’s just one portion of my life that led me to where I am today. My personal side is just a part that keeps on going, regardless of what I’ve done in this career.”

The special thing about humans is that we are all unique and have our own stories. The same is true about tattoos. Broadcast journalism major Jesus Herrera has a lighter, more familiar tie to his tattoos.

“Assassin’s Creed was one of the first gaming series I ever played,” said Herrera. “It was the first game I got for the Xbox my grandma gave me when I was a kid. And I’ve always loved it. It’s a deep connection to me loving storytelling.”

The stories behind the person are right on their own body, and you never know the interesting stories behind them.