Inked NYC Tattoo Shop/@mar__negro A client named Todd entered the Inked Tattoo Shop in N.Y.C. and asked for realistic fingernail tattoos after having lost part of his fingers 15 years ago Tattoo artist Farid Hadechini rose to the task despite having never "done anything like this before," he tells PEOPLE exclusively "I have done a lot of finger tattoos and understand the complexities of working on that area, but this was more about repairing than just decorating the body, so it felt different: It felt more meaningful in a way and definitely a very special request," the tattoo artist says A man walked into a tattoo shop in New York City with an uncommon request and the tattoo artist was up for the challenge. A client named Todd entered the Inked Tattoo Shop in N.Y.C. and asked for realistic fingernail tattoos after having lost part of his fingers 15 years ago. Brooklyn-based tattoo artist Farid Hadechini, 40, rose to the task despite having never "done anything like this before," he tells PEOPLE in an exclusive interview. "I have done a lot of finger tattoos and understand the complexities of working on that area, but this was more about repairing than just decorating the body, so it felt different: It felt more meaningful in a way and definitely a very special request," he says. Inked NYC Tattoo Shop/@mar__negro Hadechini says his client was "very trusting throughout the whole process" and he felt "immediately connected" to him. "It became a moment to honor the past and honor the body and a life filled with different experiences," the tattoo artist adds. https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf Overall, the ink took about three hours. Hadechini paid close attention to each aspect, making sure to include small details and "capture the little things that made his fingers feel like his fingers." "It wasn't about drawing what I think a finger looks like, but about looking closer and understanding that there's a story we can read when we see somebody's fingers, skin, eyes, etc. We can learn so much about who a person is, what their routine is, and so on, if we look closer at their bodies," he says. Hadechini says Todd "really liked" the finished product and even sent photos of the tattoos to his family. The artist notes the specific challenges that arise with finger tattoos, explaining that they are "especially fragile" and can be more painful than other body parts. Inked NYC Tattoo Shop/@mar__negro "I kept asking throughout the whole session if he was in pain because it's a sensitive area, but he was fine! He's clearly a strong person and handled it well," Hadechini says. The tattoo shop and the artist shared a carousel onInstagramthat included Todd's story, as well as photos and videos of the tattooing process. Many people in the comments section praised Hadechini's artistry, saying that they can't even tell the fingernails are tattoos and equating his work to "magic." As for the supportive reaction on social media, the tattooist says, "It's wild. And I think it really speaks to how fresh it felt. It's scary to witness that because it's real, but at the same time it's like: What do I do with this now? And I think the mere gesture of inspiring people through a story is a very nice way to touch somebody else's life, and that gives me happiness." Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories. With 10 years of tattoo experience down, Hadechini now says that tattooing "changed my life." "The level of gratitude I feel for people I work with I can't even put into words," he shares. "I feel that nowadays, with the way the world is evolving, every day feels harder and more difficult to connect with people. I've always found it so wholesome to be able to connect with different people through my craft — to help them materialize an idea, to honor a memory or a special person, to help people find closure or change their bodies by putting something that they like on them." Hadechini adds, "And to see how, line by line, a new idea is born onto their body is a beautiful thing to witness and to be a part of." Read the original article onPeople