Guerillaneedles

No, you're not. I would never judge someone who collects tattoos because I do it myself. Some people go to the same artist for life. That's cool (and we love you guys because you're our regulars), but it's no more valid than someone who enjoys collecting from a variety of artists. Personally I love collecting the stories that go along with the traveling, meeting new rad people etc as well as the sweet new tattoo. I also find it flattering if people travel to 'collect'  a piece from me. 

To me, the difference between a collector and the average client is that the collector does their research... They have plans for what they want and where, and when they plan a vacation they probably visit a shop or two if funds allow. I like the term, personally; I'm actually surprised so many don't. I guess I just never considered that people might find it a snooty term.
Someone mentioned an artist feeling pressured/nervous tattooing near existing top notch work... The other week I did a tattoo on a talented tattooer (already stressful!) about six inches above a full lower leg piece by Rubendall. I was simultaneously stoked and sweating like crazy. And damn, that Rubendall piece looked PERFECT... Absolutely stunning. I felt privileged just to get to see it!

When Grez told me I had a nice collection started, I was like "hell ya!" I never gave much thought to the term, but the fact that he liked the tattoos I was getting I figured I must be doing something right. It's nice to have great tattooers appreciate your involvement in the culture. I think being called a "collector" kind of brings us more into the fold.

Hello and welcome. Your idea sounds cool, but as an artist myself, I can guarantee your going to piss off a lot of those artists you mention by asking them to draw you an idea that got might not even get tattooed. My advice is to do your research extensively, talk to the artists - you might find some are more keen on your idea. I don't do realism but I've seen the stencils and they're sometimes incomprehensible to anyone but the artist whose using them! I guess what I'm getting at is that if you do your research you'll find someone you trust absolutely to do the job - and you won't need to waste the time of other artists whilst your at it. 

"hey look at this guy's skin, its like instagram but instead of on my phone its right here in front of me."

this^
In my mind, a "collector" is someone who is serious about what they get and who they let do it.
And as far as I have perceived regarding the artist's perspective on the term, when I've been in a shop and showing my previous work - when one artist said the word "collector", two other artists stopped what they were doing to come over and see. They were genuinely interested.

Of course, if you're adding their ink to some great ink you already have, you're paying them a compliment...

I don't mind the term at all, it only gets douchey when you act like a douche about it, as if having tattoos from only big name artists makes you better than other people, or means you know more than them. I collect tattoos, from people I've worked with, some big names and other artists who are just starting out.

Hello and welcome. Your idea sounds cool, but as an artist myself, I can guarantee your going to piss off a lot of those artists you mention by asking them to draw you an idea that got might not even get tattooed. My advice is to do your research extensively, talk to the artists - you might find some are more keen on your idea. I don't do realism but I've seen the stencils and they're sometimes incomprehensible to anyone but the artist whose using them! I guess what I'm getting at is that if you do your research you'll find someone you trust absolutely to do the job - and you won't need to waste the time of other artists whilst your at it. 

I have a fat gut and my entire front (including one nipple, one armpit and bellybutton) is tattooed.
And it's probably the area I get the most compliments on the (the artwork, not the huge gut)

Go for it. The way I see it, if the way your tattoo looks is your biggest problem once you get to that age, then you'll have lived a good life.

I say do it! I'm 45 years old with two kids and definitely don't have my 25-year-old body anymore. I recently finished getting my entire a$$ tattooed, mid back to mid thighs. Stretch marks and cellulite included. It looks so much more awesome than plain stretch marks and cellulite :)
Wildcat

In my 13 years of getting tattooed I have NEVER asked about cost of the tattoo upfront before getting started. I agree with the saying "if you have to ask how much it costs, you can't afford it" when it comes to tattoos. You either want the tattoo or you don't.
Now, I will ask for an estimate on how many hours or sessions so I can do some really really complex calculus to get an idea of total cost. The shop rate is usually displayed somewhere and I see nothing wrong with asking the tattooer directly what the shop rate is (if it isn't posted) or what their hourly rate is. But that's when I'm already committed to getting tattooed at that point. Don't go shopping for the best rate, it's tacky. You either want the tattoo or you don't.
So here's a tip...take the shop rate and multiply by the max number of hours you can/will likely sit for. Bring cash to cover that. I've always walked out of a tattoo shop happy with my session, left a generous tip and still have enough leftover cash in my wallet to spend on beer, weed and pizza afterwards.
To echo our dude @marley mission above, just go get tattooed and you'll get a feel pretty quickly how much a good tattoo costs. You may even be shocked to realize they cost much less than you think.

Welcome.
You might find that the best artists aren't going to draw up anything for you without a deposit, so if you're intending to have many of them draw something up, be prepared to shell out. Most don't draw anything up until the day before your actual appointment.
I would recommend adjusting your strategy to:
a/ continue learning who does the best realism in your area (and I personally can't help you with that)
b/ study realism tattoo art and learn what makes any piece stand out over others
c/ continue to gather reference material (the one above is pretty fuzzy)
d/ get in line and be patient with whatever wait list the excellent and proven artist you end up deciding on has.

I've been busy recently! First up I got this really cute cat and umbrella from Wendy Pham at Brighton Tattoo convention. I've been after this piece of flash for years so happy he's now mine! 
Next up (and also at Brighton), I got the side of my knee done by  Jody Dawber. This was the most painful tattoo I have ever got. I was whimpering like a baby (and I usually never make a fuss). I had to dig deep to get through it! Thank god she's fast.  
And last but not least, my latest addition (again on the side of the knee) from my super talented co-worker Lucy O Connell. Had my eye on this babe for well over a year, so happy to finally give her a home. 

I've been busy recently! First up I got this really cute cat and umbrella from Wendy Pham at Brighton Tattoo convention. I've been after this piece of flash for years so happy he's now mine! 
Next up (and also at Brighton), I got the side of my knee done by  Jody Dawber. This was the most painful tattoo I have ever got. I was whimpering like a baby (and I usually never make a fuss). I had to dig deep to get through it! Thank god she's fast.  
And last but not least, my latest addition (again on the side of the knee) from my super talented co-worker Lucy O Connell. Had my eye on this babe for well over a year, so happy to finally give her a home. 

I've been busy recently! First up I got this really cute cat and umbrella from Wendy Pham at Brighton Tattoo convention. I've been after this piece of flash for years so happy he's now mine! 
Next up (and also at Brighton), I got the side of my knee done by  Jody Dawber. This was the most painful tattoo I have ever got. I was whimpering like a baby (and I usually never make a fuss). I had to dig deep to get through it! Thank god she's fast.  
And last but not least, my latest addition (again on the side of the knee) from my super talented co-worker Lucy O Connell. Had my eye on this babe for well over a year, so happy to finally give her a home. 

I've been busy recently! First up I got this really cute cat and umbrella from Wendy Pham at Brighton Tattoo convention. I've been after this piece of flash for years so happy he's now mine! 
Next up (and also at Brighton), I got the side of my knee done by  Jody Dawber. This was the most painful tattoo I have ever got. I was whimpering like a baby (and I usually never make a fuss). I had to dig deep to get through it! Thank god she's fast.  
And last but not least, my latest addition (again on the side of the knee) from my super talented co-worker Lucy O Connell. Had my eye on this babe for well over a year, so happy to finally give her a home. 

I've been busy recently! First up I got this really cute cat and umbrella from Wendy Pham at Brighton Tattoo convention. I've been after this piece of flash for years so happy he's now mine! 
Next up (and also at Brighton), I got the side of my knee done by  Jody Dawber. This was the most painful tattoo I have ever got. I was whimpering like a baby (and I usually never make a fuss). I had to dig deep to get through it! Thank god she's fast.  
And last but not least, my latest addition (again on the side of the knee) from my super talented co-worker Lucy O Connell. Had my eye on this babe for well over a year, so happy to finally give her a home. 

I've been busy recently! First up I got this really cute cat and umbrella from Wendy Pham at Brighton Tattoo convention. I've been after this piece of flash for years so happy he's now mine! 
Next up (and also at Brighton), I got the side of my knee done by  Jody Dawber. This was the most painful tattoo I have ever got. I was whimpering like a baby (and I usually never make a fuss). I had to dig deep to get through it! Thank god she's fast.  
And last but not least, my latest addition (again on the side of the knee) from my super talented co-worker Lucy O Connell. Had my eye on this babe for well over a year, so happy to finally give her a home. 

I've been busy recently! First up I got this really cute cat and umbrella from Wendy Pham at Brighton Tattoo convention. I've been after this piece of flash for years so happy he's now mine! 
Next up (and also at Brighton), I got the side of my knee done by  Jody Dawber. This was the most painful tattoo I have ever got. I was whimpering like a baby (and I usually never make a fuss). I had to dig deep to get through it! Thank god she's fast.  
And last but not least, my latest addition (again on the side of the knee) from my super talented co-worker Lucy O Connell. Had my eye on this babe for well over a year, so happy to finally give her a home. 

I've been busy recently! First up I got this really cute cat and umbrella from Wendy Pham at Brighton Tattoo convention. I've been after this piece of flash for years so happy he's now mine! 
Next up (and also at Brighton), I got the side of my knee done by  Jody Dawber. This was the most painful tattoo I have ever got. I was whimpering like a baby (and I usually never make a fuss). I had to dig deep to get through it! Thank god she's fast.  
And last but not least, my latest addition (again on the side of the knee) from my super talented co-worker Lucy O Connell. Had my eye on this babe for well over a year, so happy to finally give her a home. 

I've been busy recently! First up I got this really cute cat and umbrella from Wendy Pham at Brighton Tattoo convention. I've been after this piece of flash for years so happy he's now mine! 
Next up (and also at Brighton), I got the side of my knee done by  Jody Dawber. This was the most painful tattoo I have ever got. I was whimpering like a baby (and I usually never make a fuss). I had to dig deep to get through it! Thank god she's fast.  
And last but not least, my latest addition (again on the side of the knee) from my super talented co-worker Lucy O Connell. Had my eye on this babe for well over a year, so happy to finally give her a home. 

I've been busy recently! First up I got this really cute cat and umbrella from Wendy Pham at Brighton Tattoo convention. I've been after this piece of flash for years so happy he's now mine! 
Next up (and also at Brighton), I got the side of my knee done by  Jody Dawber. This was the most painful tattoo I have ever got. I was whimpering like a baby (and I usually never make a fuss). I had to dig deep to get through it! Thank god she's fast.  
And last but not least, my latest addition (again on the side of the knee) from my super talented co-worker Lucy O Connell. Had my eye on this babe for well over a year, so happy to finally give her a home. 

Inside of my right upper arm. Adding more floral elements to connect the inside and outside at my appointment next month. We both got tired, and the shop was closing. :-) Hurt like a fucker. That unexposed baby skin inside my arm (as you can see, I'm very, very pale) was excruciating.