how to find a good piercer: of
critical importance, really--there are an awful lot of bad hacks out there. Try to find the most experienced piercer you can, even if you have to travel--The Mercenary is on the right track here.
There are 2 things to look for: 1) a clean shop which follows local rules and proper sterilization techniques; and 2) a really good, experienced piercer who knows what they are doing.
How do you determine this? You ask questions. You go in first for a consultation and ask to see their sterilization procedures, the piercer's portfolio of piercings. How are you treated? Is the shop professional? What is their aftercare routine? (If they say, Bactine, alcohol, Dial soap, or antibiotic ointment--run).
The more adept and experienced a piercer is, the faster and surer your piercing will be. This mean--less pain!
As far as "master" piercers--there are really only a few real ones, designated as such by the old Gauntlet shop. The only other professional designation to look for is an Association of Professional Piercers shop (in the US). This means that the shop conforms to VERY rigid layout and sterilization techniques put forth by that organization. This does NOT refer to the skill of the individual piercer, though.
Here's a link to the APP--lots of really, really good info here, like--how to choose a piercer, what to look for in jewelry, up-to-date aftercare, etc.
www.safepiercing.org
As for pictures--most of my piercings are NOT worksafe, 'cause, well--I'm an old lady, and like most older people, most of my piercings are hidden by clothing (the opposite of younger people, who tend to have lots of facial piercings), but here's one I can share:
