How to Capture a Butterfly with Focus on Nature!
Hey there, Focus on Nature community! Can you believe that 2026 is already half over? Where does the time go? Somewhere into nature, perhaps! Well, for us anyway, the month of June brings the closing of another school year of workshops. The 2025-26 school year brought us to so many different schools, connecting with students who year after year continue to prove that fostering the connection between young people and the world around them can be emphasized by giving them the skills to use a digital camera for an afternoon.
Speaking of afternoons, our midday plans for this summer consist of day camps taking place in various regions of southwestern Ontario. We cannot wait for all of the camp adventures Focus on Nature campers will take on in the upcoming weeks- and we will be sure to share their nature snapshots with you! Of course, the widely admired butterfly snapshots campers achieve while outdoors will be shared pronto as this insect’s beauty is undeniable! Whichhhhhhh bring us to the subject of this months blog post: How to Capture a Butterfly (photographically speaking of course!).
Have you ever tried to snap a flick of a beautiful butterfly, only for it to gently fly up up and away just as you press the shutter button? You're not alone! These winged wonders are notoriously tricky subjects, but after reading this blog, you'll be capturing stunning shots (just like the nature photographers featured in this post!) in no time.
First things first, patience is your superpower. Butterflies aren't on a schedule, so find a sunny spot with plenty of flowers and hang out. Take the time to get down to their level-literally! Kneel, crouch, or even lie on the ground to get an eye-level perspective. See some of the poses and angles our student photographers have utilized to capture their different nature subjects! Getting close and adjusting how you take your photo makes the final shot feel more intimate, and shows off the delicate features.
Oh, and one more little (but VERY important) tip: using the zoom function on your camera can be a really handy tool that lets you get close without disturbing the possible pollination a butterfly may be practising.
Once you've got a hang of the zoom feature and are comfortable getting close enough to these insect friends, it is time to consider composition. The rule of thirds is your friend here – imagine your photo divided into nine equal squares, and try to place your butterfly off-center, perhaps where the lines would intersect. Doing this creates a more dynamic and interesting image than if one just placed it directly in the middle.
Also, another key element to pay attention to is what's in the background. A busy, cluttered background can distract from your main subject, so try to find a clear patch of sky or foliage to highlight your butterfly. Sometimes, a little bit of negative space around your subject can make it stand out even more. Maybe play with the tone and lighting to see what can be accomplished!
One of the final things to think about is the story you want to tell. Is your butterfly feeding on a flower? Resting on a leaf? Flying through the air? Each scenario allows your audience to envision the nature scene in real time as if they were really there with you. If you're lucky enough to catch one with its wings spread, that's a fantastic shot, but don't discount the beauty of a butterfly with its wings folded, revealing patterns on the other side. Experiment with different angles and perspectives. Try shooting from slightly above, slightly below, or directly from the side. You'll be amazed at how much a small change in angle can transform your photo!
While there isn’t much else to say about standing guard to take photos of butterflies, since the photos in this post speak for themselves, we hope that you are able to put some of these tips and tricks into practice! Thank you for being here this month, folks! We are so proud and honoured to be a part of the awakening that occurs in young people when they realize the power of a camera, and the accessible natural environment that surrounds them. Enjoy the start to your summer holiday and stay safe!
Interested in learning more with us? Register for Summer Camp as limited spots are still available. Or, book an in-school workshop for the 2026-27 school year as booking is now open! Or, lastly, check out current openings and volunteer positions-we’d love to work with you!
