09/06/2026
📸 PHOTOGRAPHERS & PARENTS — LET’S TALK ABOUT AI IMAGES AND FLORIDA LAW
First and foremost, when I became aware of the recent ruling involving AI-generated images and CSAM, I did not simply rely on what I was seeing being shared across social media.
I took the time to actually read the ruling.I also spoke with an attorney to discuss the decision and make sure I was understanding what the court actually said and how it applies under Florida law.
As many of you know, I work within the legal realm, so I have access to resources and a general understanding of how these matters work. That does not make me an attorney, and I am certainly not presenting this as legal advice. However, I felt it was important to actually understand the ruling before discussing it publicly.
And after doing that, I have to say:
There is a LOT of misinformation being circulated about what this ruling means.*
📸 MY POSITION AS A PHOTOGRAPHER
I have absolutely no problem with a parent telling me “Please don't post pictures of my family or my children.” I will respect that. ❤️
Your children are your children, your family is your family, and you have every right to decide what you are comfortable having shared publicly.
But there is an important difference between respecting a family's privacy preference and claiming that Florida law prohibits photographers from posting ordinary photographs of children.
Those are two very different things.
SO WHAT DOES THE AI ISSUE ACTUALLY ADDRESS?
The law and the recent court decision concern AI-generated/computer-generated sexually explicit imagery involving minors.
The fact that an image is generated by AI does not mean that everything involving a child's photograph suddenly becomes illegal.
There is a critical distinction between an innocent photograph of a real child and an AI-generated image depicting a child in sexually explicit circumstances.
And there is another distinction that I believe is incredibly important:
If someone takes an actual photograph of a real child, downloads it from a photographer's website or social media page, and uses an AI program to manipulate that photograph into sexually explicit or exploitative content, the fact that AI was used does not mean the real child is somehow no longer protected.
AI does not create a loophole that makes exploitation of an actual child acceptable.
📸 THIS IS WHY THE WORDING MATTERS
There is a HUGE difference between:
📷 An ordinary photograph of a real child
🤖 A completely AI-generated fictional image
⚠️ AI-generated sexually explicit imagery involving a minor
🚨 Taking a real child's photograph and using AI to sexualize or exploit that child
These situations should not simply be lumped together.
The purpose of these laws is to address the creation, possession, distribution, and exploitation of prohibited material involving minors — including material created through technology.
It is not a law saying that photographers cannot photograph children. It is not a law saying that parents cannot have photographs taken of their children. And it is not a law saying that an innocent family photograph posted by a photographer automatically becomes CSAM.
I completely understand why parents are concerned.
AI technology is advancing at an unbelievable rate, and the ability to manipulate photographs into realistic-looking images creates legitimate concerns about privacy, exploitation, and the safety of children.
Those concerns are real.
But the answer is not to spread information that isn't actually contained in the law or the court's ruling.
If you don't want your child's photograph posted, tell your photographer.
I will respect that decision.
But please don't let social-media posts convince you that Florida has suddenly made ordinary photographs of children illegal for photographers to share. Read the ruling. Read the statute. Understand the distinction. We can protect children, respect parents, and still have an accurate conversation about what the law actually says. Technology is changing quickly. The law is evolving with it. Let's protect our children without creating unnecessary fear through misinformation.❤️📸
— Norelle, Owner of Infinite Moments Photography 🤍
