Courtesy Parker Graphic Designs

By Lisa Parent

Medicine Hat photographer adds spark to sports portraits

Sep 22, 2023 | 11:58 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Some kids dread picture day and sitting in front of a camera. However, one Hatter’s creativity has been adding a spark to taking portraits, making it more fun for kids.

Allen Parker of Parker Graphic Designs photographs sports teams, both live-action and portrait. His portraits integrate the element of fire. Using a mixture of soap and gas, Parker is able to create flammable bubbles. He then puts those bubbles on props, like volleyballs and an assistant lights them up. The bubbles burn in a flash, creating intense fiery shots of athletes.

Parker originally got into photography to just capture moments of his kids playing sports. Since he’s started fire-photography, his business has been ablaze with sports teams wanting to book a photo-session.

“I’ve become passionate about trying to capture moments in time of these young athletes, of what should be some of their best memories in life, their glory days,” says Parker. “And when the kid gets a picture of them doing something amazing, that’s a lifetime memory that they get to have forever. I actually always say, like, I don’t take pictures, I capture memories.”

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Parker says his next photography endeavors may include a mixture of using water and fire.