Medina woman in running for top tattooed model in Inked Magazine contest

Photos by Josh Puit: Amber Hofmeister of Medina got her first tattoo when she turned 18. She has advanced through the first three rounds to be the next cover model for Inked Magazine.

Amber Hofmeister said she likes how tattoos are a way to express oneself and highlight important personal events and passions.

MEDINA – A Medina woman has emerged as a contender to be a cover model for Inked Magazine, a popular publication highlighting people with tattoos.

Amber Hofmeister, 33, entered the contest after being encouraged by a friend to submit some photos. Inked Magazine puts the potential models in groups of five, with the first place winner advancing to then be in new groups of five with others who advanced.

Hofmeister has won three rounds and is currently in first place in the latest grouping. Click here to vote online for her. Voting ends at 10 p.m. today. If she is in first place, she advances to the next round. She would have to win two more rounds to make it to the finals.

Hofmeister said many in the Medina community have shared the contest on social media, helping her to pick up votes.

“The support has been incredible,” she said. “Never did I think I would have that much support from the community.”

Hofmeister, a mother of three boys, has worked the past four years at Velocitii in Medina. She has a side photography business and has preferred being the one behind the camera.

She got her first tattoo when she turned 18. That tattoo on her leg is of Jack and Sally from the Nightmare Before Christmas.

She has added many more highlighting interests and paying tribute to loved ones. Her left arm, for example, has many nautical-themed tattoos in homage to her grandparents, who loved to go fishing. She has a tattoo of a camera to represent her interest in photography. She has tattoos showing a microphone and piano keys because she enjoys music.

“It’s self expression,” she said about the tattoos.

If Hofmeister wins first in the Inked Magazine contest, she gets $25,000, in addition to being featured on the cover of the magazine.

“This is something that would really help me and my family,” she said about the top prize. “I would love to be able to win for my family and to draw attention to Medina. And if I win I will treat myself to a tattoo.”