Taking Photographs with Butterflies at Your Butterfly Release

Butterflies are often released for different events and we all want to capture the moment forever. Photographs are our method of freezing time. The challenge is simple; butterflies often will not sit still very long. There are ways to take memory photos with just a little extra effort.

 
 
 
 

If you wish to take photos before the wedding of butterflies on a bouquet or person, it is best to order one or two extra for that purpose if you’re taking photos outdoors.

We learned from nature’s wisdom. Your butterflies will arrive in a cool dark box. When a butterfly is cool and its surroundings are dark, it simply rests with its wings folded above its body, like it does on a cool spring or fall night.

Arrange the bouquet and/or person where you wish to take the photo. Remember shadows! A shadow on a face, in front of a bouquet, or a butterfly detracts from the beauty of the photo. Have one person remove one cool butterfly and place it in position. As the butterfly warms up, it often opens its wings. Have the camera ready! You’ll only have about a minute to take photos.

Once the butterfly is warm, it will often fly. If it flies only a short distance, simply pick up the butterfly with its wings closed and return it to the ‘car seat’ (envelope) and replace it in the box. You can repeat this as often as you like.

If possible, dampen the area where the butterfly will be placed with clear sugar water, honey water, or clear Gatorade. Butterflies enjoy sugar. As they warm up, they may decide to sit and drink for a while before flying, offering a longer time period for photographs.
 
 
 

We recommend ordering two or three extra butterflies if you wish to take photos before the release. If a butterfly flies away when you’re taking photos, you may not be able to recapture it for your release.