09/01/2026
Reminder: We have had several calls lately asking us to set their Senior or sports equipment/shoes on fire (for real fire) in their photos for the trending "Lit for Reel" photoshoots. This is occurring because of social media trends or inexperienced or unknowing photographers doing this without knowing the repercussions and laws regarding this. There is no 100% safe way to avoid an accident when using real fire, and it is a risk that should not be taken in our industry. But there ARE safe ways to add fire to your photos and achieve this same look via compositing, which we will do.
NO....we CANNOT (due to insurance policies and state and federal client safety regulations) and WILL NOT (due to our utmost care for client safety and personal liability risks) set sports balls or other equipment on fire in your photos. Sports balls and uniforms (including socks) are made from cotton, leather, latex, polyester, nylon, and spandex/elastane blends, which create a dripping, highly flammable, liquid-like plastic substance when exposed to flame and heat. They are not fire-retardant. Hair is also extremely flammable! This can ruin uniforms, damage gym floors, cause 3rd- or 4th-degree burns, disfigure a client, and could cause death and ruin lives forever.
Our insurance policy will not allow coverage due to client endangerment and negligence, and should an accident happen, which they do even with proper safety precautions, we would and should be held responsible and charged with client endangerment, negligence, and severe criminal felony charges, and your child could be severely injured or possibly die. Thank you for understanding, and please do not ask ANY photographer to do this. Knowledgeable professionals will and should definitely refuse! If you are a photographer and you are doing this, please stop setting the example for newer photographers that may not realize the risks involved or may be uninsured or not running a legal business to do so, as professionals in the industry lead by example. Remember... a child or client could develop severe infections from even minor burns and lose their life due to the infection caused by the burn. This has happened many many times. It just isn't worth the risk for anyone (same with train track photos). There are safe ways to add fire to your photos that do not involve actually using real fire. WE CAN DO THAT:) So it isn't because we want to be difficult or not add fire to your photos....we absolutely can do that....just not using real fire in a photoshoot. Smoke, yes; fire, NO! We take our responsibility of being entrusted with our clients' well-being while shooting with us very seriously because it is.
The repercussions can be detrimental not only to the client and their family, but to the photographer as well. Here are the Kansas Laws regarding this situation:
1. If the Child is Badly Burned: If the child survives but suffers severe burns or permanent scarring, the photographer would likely face charges under the Kansas Aggravated Battery Statute (K.S.A. 21-5413): Reckless Aggravated Battery (Level 5 Person Felony): Charged if the photographer's reckless actions directly caused great bodily harm or permanent disfigurement. If convicted, sentencing typically ranges from 31 to 136 months in prison, depending on prior criminal history. Reckless Aggravated Battery with a Dangerous Element (Level 8 Person Felony): Charged if the action caused bodily harm using a method or manner whereby great bodily harm, disfigurement, or death could be inflicted. Additionally, prosecutors could file charges for Endangerment (K.S.A. 21-5429) or Child Endangerment, which penalizes recklessly exposing a child to a situation that places their life or health in imminent danger.
2. If the Child Dies: If the photoshoot results in a fatal injury, the photographer faces much heavier homicide charges under Kansas Crimes Against Persons: Involuntary Manslaughter (K.S.A. 21-5405), defined as the unintentional killing of a human being committed recklessly. The state must prove that the photographer knew the act was dangerous but did it anyway, ignoring the safety risk. This is classified as a Severity Level 5 Person Felony, carrying a presumptive prison sentence of 31 to 136 months. Second-Degree Murder ("Depraved Heart" Murder - K.S.A. 21-5403): If the photographer's actions showed an extreme, utter indifference to human life, prosecutors may elevate the charge from manslaughter to second-degree murder. This applies if the circumstances of lighting a fire around a child were so blatantly and wildly hazardous that it surpassed basic recklessness. This is a Severity Level 2 Person Felony, carrying decades in prison.
