Your choice of an artist should be an easy one. Check out the artists in your area, talk to them, check out their work. If you feel comfortable and confident trust your feelings. Single-use disposable trays ect. You should feel confident that the shop you have chosen is clean and safe.
Larger tattoos are more visible, more colorful, more detailed and yes more expensive.
When you go to get a tattoo don't be in a hurry. If you've got to pick up the kids or be at work in an hour reschedule the thing. Listen getting a tattoo is somewhat painful. All of my tattoos involved some amount of pain so I can sympathize.