Photography at the Butterfly House

Photographs are a wonderful way to capture the memories of your visit to the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House. We encourage guests to take casual, informal photographs for their own personal enjoyment within the guidelines of the facility. Photos/videos are spontaneous and taken during a regular visit. A photo permit is required for those using the Butterfly House for posed photography, such as wedding, engagement, prom, maternity, senior pictures, quinceañera, and family photos.

We encourage guests to capture and share the beauty of their visit—just please be mindful of other guests and remain on designated pathways to protect the butterflies and our gardens. 

Butterfly House staff reserve the right to determine when a visit constitutes a photography/videography session and may deny entry or ask guests to leave if a permit was not obtained in advance. The person who is taking photos/video of individuals in your group does not have to be defined as a professional to require a permit.

When is a Paid Photography Permit or After-Hours Session Required?

A permit and/or scheduled session are required if any of the following apply:

Intent: Your visit is primarily to take posed or portrait photos/video using the Butterfly House and its gardens as a backdrop.

Photographer/Videographer: A designated person— professional or otherwise— is taking photos/video of individuals in your group.

Photos/Video: Multiple posed or staged photos/video are being taken in various locations.

Special Attire: Formal or coordinated outfits such as gowns, tuxedos, ceremonial or bridal attire, or themed/costume clothing.

Equipment*: You use lights, reflectors, tripods, video gear, or other accessories.

Props or Makeup*: Items are used to stage or enhance photography/videography.

Outfit Changes*: Clothing changes of any kind beyond layering a sweater or jacket.

*Requires an after-hours session.

You do not need to be a member of the Garden to make a reservation; reservations can be made by any member/family member of the group or by the group’s photographer. Permit level includes admission for your entire party while visiting (up to 15 people) and is good for date purchased only.

Photo permits are available for select days as our programming allows. Reservations should be made at least 48 hours in advance. The permit is for the selected date only and is nonrefundable.   

Permits are $80 for groups of 1-6  people and $175 for groups of 7-15 people. Please make sure your photographer is included in your count.

All groups must abide by the Butterfly House's photography policy.

Purchase Photo Permit

Once a photography permit has been purchased, your party must arrive between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on the day your permit allows. Photo permit sessions must be completed and groups departed by close, no exceptions. Permit reservations must be made in advance.  

The Butterfly House hosts a number of programs and events throughout the year, including educational programs, weddings, and public events. To allow for the best experience for our guests and your group, we do not allow photography on days we have programming scheduled. 

A separate photo permit is not required when taking photos during a booked private event at the Butterfly House.  To book an after-hours photo shoot, a wedding ceremony, or other private event, please click here.

Permit fees for Members of our Garden Giving Societies ($600 Contributor level and higher) are waived , but a reservation is still required. Learn more about membership. 

The Butterfly House is a tobacco-free environment. Smoking, tobacco products and devices, and electronic smoking devices are not allowed on Butterfly House property including all buildings, grounds, restrooms and parking lots.

Live flowers, balloons, drone photography, and pets (not including service animals) are not permitted at the Butterfly House. Props, lighting equipment and reflectors, tripods, and wardrobe changes are not permitted during open hours. An after-hours reservation is required if your session requires any of these elements. Any props must be handheld.

Blocking pathways or visitor access to any area of the Butterfly House is prohibited. Flowerbeds and other plant displays may not be entered or disturbed. Plant labels and other signs may not be changed or removed. 

Visitors agree not to use commercially any photography or reproduction in any form taken at the Garden or its family of attractions as per our image use policy. 

Visitors grant permission to the Garden and its designees to utilize their image, likeness, actions, or statements in any form taken during a visit to the Garden or its family of attractions for the purpose of promoting the Garden and its family of attractions in perpetuity.

Commercial photography or video includes, but is not limited to, images for use in/as: display advertising, television commercials, feature films, music videos, retail products, brochures, product literature, annual reports, training videos, award presentations, instructional videos, business websites, non-macro stock photography for sale, model portfolios and other industrial, promotional or advertising projects. 

Drone photography is treated as commercial photography and requires an application and payment. It is prohibited on Butterfly House grounds and in Faust Park unless arranged with the Communications Division of the Missouri Botanical Garden and St. Louis County Parks. 

Ad agencies, public relations firms, marketing groups, corporate communications offices, commercial photographers, location scouts and others wishing to shoot commercial photography or video at the Missouri Botanical Garden should contact the Public Relations Division at pr@mobot.org or by calling 314-577-0286.