Team Colors, Real Smoke: Using Smoke Bombs for Game Day, Senior Night, and Team Photos

Scroll through any high school or college sports account in the fall and you'll spot it: a lineup of seniors in their jerseys, a wall of maroon and gold smoke behind them, everybody trying to look tough and failing because they're grinning. Colored smoke has become a go-to for sports photos, and for good reason. Nothing else says "team colors" quite as loudly.

If you're a coach, booster club parent, team photographer, or just a fan with big tailgate plans, here's how to pull it off without getting in trouble.

Get permission before anything else

This one's not optional. Lots of schools, stadiums, and leagues ban smoke effects in the stands and on the field during games. Some allow them for photo sessions outside of game time, and some don't allow them at all.

Before you buy, ask your athletic director, the facility manager, or whoever runs the venue. If you're planning to use them at a tailgate, check the parking lot rules too. And take a look at local fire restrictions, especially in late summer when it's dry.

Pick colors that actually look like your team

Most teams have two colors, and pairing them is where the magic happens. A few things to keep in mind:

• Use one color per side. Set one color on the left and the other on the right, and let them meet in the middle behind the group. Mixing them in the same spot tends to turn muddy.
• Dark colors need light. Navy, maroon, and dark green look richer in bright daylight or under stadium lights. In low light, they can read as gray. Brighter shades like gold, orange, red, and light blue pop more easily.
• White and black are tricky. White smoke can look like steam or fog unless it's paired with a second color. Black smoke works best against a light or bright background.

Plan the shot like a play

Smoke doesn't last forever, so the shoot has to be organized. Go over it with everyone before anything gets lit.

Line up the group first and take a few test shots without smoke. Then decide who's lighting what. Put the smoke behind or beside the team, not in front, so faces stay clear. Have two or three adults handle the lighting, and let the athletes focus on posing.

Check the wind and set up so the smoke drifts across the back of the shot instead of into the players' faces. Then light on a count, so everything goes off at about the same time, and have the photographer start shooting right away. The first 20 to 30 seconds are usually the best.

Senior Night and individual photos

For senior photos, one or two smoke bombs per athlete is plenty. Players can hold one at arm's length off to the side, or you can set it on the ground behind them. Either way, keep it pointed away from the body and face, and give each player a pair of gloves if they're holding it.

Tailgates and fan sections

If you've confirmed it's allowed, smoke at a tailgate can make for great group photos before the game. Keep it in an open area away from grills, cars, and anyone with breathing issues. Don't set them off in crowds, and don't throw them. Set them down, step back, and enjoy.

Clean up like a winner

Have a metal bucket of water ready for spent canisters, since they stay hot after the smoke is gone. Pick up wrappers and pull tabs before you leave the field. If the facility manager sees you leave the place spotless, you'll have a much easier time getting a yes next season.

The bottom line

Done right, colored smoke gives your team photos that end up framed in hallways and plastered all over social media. Get permission, plan the shot, keep everyone safe, and let your colors fill the sky.