The Fall Team Spotlight: Chance Sledge
Like tattoos, piercings are a creative form of body art that lets you express yourself. They offer a unique way to customize your look and showcase your style, all while reflecting your personality. Choosing the right piercing for you is a personal decision that combines your motivations and life experiences. Here at The Fall Tattooing and Piercing, our team couldn’t be more excited about highlighting the best artists in the industry. Our professional piercers always consider your anatomy, lifestyle, and aesthetic preferences to recommend the perfect options for your piercing.
Chance Ledge is a master body piercer at The Fall studio in Vancouver and brings more than a decade of experience to the chair. Having practiced in over eight cities, he’s developed a careful eye for detail and a deep understanding of various clients’ piercing needs, which can be difficult to find. Since joining the Association of Professional Piercers in 2014, he’s consistently met or exceeded their high standards, making him one of the go-to artists in Vancouver for high-quality piercings.
A Budding Interest in Body Art
Sledge describes always being drawn to the unconventional, but his curiosity quickly grew, "When I was young, I always had an interest in things that were out of the norm. I saw people on National Geographic with stretched ears," Sledge commented. He added that he would see people with piercings or tattoos in public, which naturally kept him curious and wanting to know more. He eventually met up with a piercer at the shop where he got his first tattoo when he was 18.
First Time in The Chair
No one forgets getting or giving their first piercing or tattoo. For Sledge, his first piercing experiences were downright rebellious. "I started in the industry at a young age, and before that, my parents would have never taken me to get a piercing," he admits. Sledge remembers his first jab being at home, a major no-no he wouldn't condone.
As far as his first client, it also involved a healthy dose of adrenaline. “I was hanging out at a shop, and the piercer had bet me I could do a successful surface anchor,” Sledge recalls. “We had a competition between him, me, and his apprentice at the time on the piercer’s brother.” Sledge won.
Rewards and Challenges in Professional Piercing
Becoming a professional piercer was no easy feat. Sledge shared that he had challenges, and the apprenticeship was the hardest to overcome. In many cases, apprenticeships are designed to push and test one's limits. "Finding your way through that difficulty has made me that much more appreciative of where I am now and molded me into the piercer I am," he shares.
Aside from everyday challenges, professional piercing also has its rewards. Sledge loves piercing and values connecting with clients equally passionate about this form of body art. "Finding the few people that really connect with piercing outside of just wanting a hole in their body. People that understand it can be deeper than just a transaction," he shares.
Building Trust and Fighting Misconception in the Piercing Industry
Trust is incredibly important in the industry. Building trust really starts with communication, says Sledge. "If I do something or if a coworker does something that wasn’t up to par, we need to say that. Clients are human and just want to be treated as such."
One aspect of communication Sledge faces regularly is debunking misconceptions about piercings, such as infection risk, unsafe equipment, why piercing guns aren't used, and more.
Beyond the Chair: Hobbies & Other Interests
Of course, piercing isn't Sledge's only interest. While deeply passionate about his career, he enjoys many other creative outlets. "Currently, I play guitar and am in a band. I like going to shows. I like playing video games..."
He finds that to stay engaged at work; he has to enjoy different things outside of work to help fight burnout. "But I like to keep my interests outside of work very different from the workplace. When you’ve done something for a good amount of time, you sometimes have to battle burnout. And I find that having interests outside of your career helps a lot," he states.
Choosing the Right Piercing and Piercer
For over 12 years, Sledge has specialized in nearly every type of piercing with minimal pain. However, regarding his favorite type of piercing, Sledge enjoys rooks. "They’re also a little more hidden, so they’re sneaky," he says. He also likes placing genital piercings because clients are cautious about choosing their piercers and typically follow aftercare instructions closely.
Some of the best advice Sledge gives first-timers is to find a piercer who genuinely cares about their craft and stands behind their work. Piercing is more than a business; it's an art that deserves respect and careful consideration. Ready for your next piercing or thinking about your first one? Book with Chance Sledge today and experience quality body piercing with a true expert.
