Sofia Lanbina, also known as Betstattoo, is a Munich-based tattoo artist specializing in freehand fine-line botanical tattoos. Her career has taken her far beyond the tattoo studio — from international publications and art exhibitions to judging tattoo conventions and guesting at some of Europe’s leading studios.
With a deep appreciation for botanical forms and freehand tattooing, Sofia has built a distinctive style that combines delicate floral compositions with the natural flow of the body. We spoke with her about her journey, creative process, and what it really means to build a career as a tattoo artist today.
1. What inspired you to become a tattoo artist?
I don’t think I was one of those people who always knew they wanted to become a tattoo artist. I simply loved drawing. Since I was a child, I spent a lot of time sketching, especially flowers and plants. At the same time, I was fascinated by tattoos and eventually realized that tattooing could be the perfect way to combine both passions.
Before tattooing, I already had a job that I enjoyed, but I felt like something was missing creatively. Drawing had always been the part of my life that made me happy, so I decided to give tattooing a try. At first, I thought it would just be a hobby, but after my first tattoos I knew I wanted to take it seriously. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made because I genuinely can’t imagine doing anything else now.
2. You are known for creating your tattoos freehand. Can you tell us more about this approach? What attracted you to working this way?
Freehand completely changed the way I think about tattoo design. Instead of adapting a finished drawing to the body, I create the composition directly on the client’s skin, using their anatomy as part of the design.
For me, every body is different, so every tattoo should be too. Working this way allows me to create something that feels natural, balanced, and unique to that person. Even if two clients ask for similar flowers, the final result will never be exactly the same.
I still use stencils when they’re the best solution, but freehand gives me a level of artistic freedom that I genuinely love. It’s become a big part of my identity as an artist.
3. Your work focuses exclusively on fine-line botanical tattoos. What continues to inspire you within this niche, and how has your artistic style evolved over time?
Nature has always been my biggest source of inspiration. I love how flowers can be both delicate and powerful, and I never get tired of studying their shapes and movement.
Over the years, my focus has shifted from simply creating beautiful botanical illustrations to designing tattoos that flow naturally with the body. Today, composition is just as important to me as the flowers themselves. I want every piece to look like it truly belongs to the person wearing it.
4. Your career has taken you far beyond the tattoo studio. What opportunities have surprised you the most along the way?
Honestly, I never expected my work to go beyond the tattoo studio. Over the years, I had the opportunity to exhibit my work in art galleries, be featured in tattoo magazines around the world, and receive messages from artists who wanted to learn more about my approach to tattooing.
What surprised me the most wasn’t any single opportunity, but realizing that people were interested not only in my tattoos, but also in my artistic vision. That was the first time I truly felt recognized as an artist, and it encouraged me to keep sharing my work in different ways.
5. What has been the most rewarding milestone in your career so far?
Being invited to judge international tattoo conventions has definitely been one of the most rewarding moments in my career. It’s an honour and a responsibility I take very seriously because I know how much passion and hard work every artist puts into their work.
Another highlight has been being invited to work as a guest artist in some of Europe’s leading tattoo studios. Knowing that artists and studios I deeply respect value my work and want to work with me is incredibly meaningful.
Every time something like this happens, it reminds me that everything I do really does matter.
6. Looking back, was there a particular moment when you realized your work was beginning to reach an international audience?
There wasn’t one specific moment. It happened gradually, and I think that’s what makes it even more valuable to me. It wasn’t something I planned or chased — it grew naturally as I kept focusing on improving my work and staying true to my own artistic style.
8. Outside of your work, you founded the non-profit After Initiative. What inspired this project, and what does it mean to you personally?
The After Initiative was created to offer free scar cover-up tattoos to people whose scars affect their confidence and quality of life.
Throughout my career, I’ve met people whose scars affected the way they saw themselves. For many of them, those scars represented much more than a mark on the skin — they carried difficult memories and had a real impact on their confidence.
That’s how I realized that sometimes a tattoo can help someone reconnect with their body and see themselves differently. It’s incredibly powerful. If I can transform something that once caused pain into something that brings confidence, that’s one of the most meaningful things I can do as an artist. That’s why I started the initiative.
9. What is one aspect of being a professional tattoo artist that people often don’t see or fully appreciate?
Most people only see the finished tattoo, but that’s actually a small part of the job.
Behind every piece are consultations, designing, studying anatomy, countless hours of drawing, photographing and documenting the finished work, traveling, continuing education, and running a business.
At least for me, tattooing is a lifelong learning process. You’re creating something that will stay with another person forever, and I think that kind of responsibility is something people don’t always realize.
10. How can people follow your work or book an appointment?
The best place to follow my work is Instagram, where I regularly share my latest tattoos, freehand designs, and updates.
If someone would like to book a tattoo, they can fill out the inquiry form on my website. It helps me understand their idea so I can create a design that’s completely unique to them.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betstattoo
Website: https://betstattoo.com