favorite outdoor instagramers

  • Friday Feature: Brynja Sigurdardottir

    Happy Friday! Time for another Friday Feature, showcasing a beloved member of our Instagram community. Today, we’re featuring the amazing Brynja Sigurdardottir (@alwaysfourlove), mother of four in Colorado. Brynja’s feed is filled with the dreamiest photos of her children interacting with nature and each other. You can immediately tell from her feed how strong the bond in this family is and how much fun they have and love they share. I love that she refers to her kids as “kind and incredible souls.” Her photos show simple intimate moments with such beautiful tones and textures. Here are a few of our favorite images from her feed (although it was impossible to choose) and a bit more about Brynja in her own words.

    Friday Feature Brynja Sigurdardottir @alwaysfourlove

    How would you describe your Instagram feed and style of photography?

    I would describe my photography style and Instagram feed both as full of love. I like to keep my feed positive and loving because that’s just what our family is all about. My images show my kids in their most genuine and authentic way, with love and respect.

    Favorite Instagram accounts @alwaysfourloveBest Outdoor Instagram Accounts Favorite outdoor family photography Instagram accounts

    What is your favorite quote?

    I have a lot of favorite quotes, but I truly love this one “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change” by Wayne Dyer. It’s a reminder to think positive and know that a grateful heart is a magnet for miracles.

    Best Outdoor Instagram AccountsGorgeous outdoor family photography @alwaysfourloveFriday Feature: Brynja Sigurdardottir

    What is your favorite outdoor memory from your childhood?

    I grew up in Iceland and my favorite outdoor memory is making ” food” with whatever we found in nature and playing with my friends in the yard. We didn’t need much to keep us entertained. Plus, we didn’t get very warm summers, so we took full advantage and played outside from dusk till dawn.

    Friday Feature Instagram Account Brynja SigurdardottirBest outdoor Instagrammers Brynja Sigurdardottir

    Why is it important to you to raise children to love nature?

    It’s so important for me to have my kids out in nature as much as possible because we are one with nature. Nature is healing for the body and spirit. I also like them to experience any weather, not just what we consider “good” weather. Being outside in nature in any weather is good for the soul.

    Friday Feature: Brynja SigurdardottirMost beautiful instagram accounts for outdoor family photography

    Any upcoming trips you’re excited about?

    We are planning on going to Iceland either this year or next. I’m really excited for my children to finally see my home country and experience the beautiful nature there. And to drink the fresh Iceland water! I plan on taking lots of pictures and I can’t wait to share them!

    Friday Feature: Brynja SigurdardottirOutdoor Instagrammer Brynja Sigurdardottir @alwaysfourloveFriday Feature: Brynja Sigurdardottir

    What’s in your camera bag?

    Currently, I shoot with Nikon D810, I use a 50mm, 85 mm and a 105 mm. Next, I would love to get 35 mm lens. I use my 50 mm the most since it’s lightweight and easy to carry around on our adventures.

    favorite outdoor instagram accounts Friday Feature: Brynja Sigurdardottir

    For more from Brynja,
    find her online in the following locations:

    Instagram: @alwaysfourlove

    For more inspiration behind our favorite Instagram accounts, check out all our Friday Features.

  • Friday Feature: Desirée Macke

    Every other Friday we feature a member of our Instagram community and give you an inside peek into the inspiration and motivation behind the photos. Today, we’re featuring Desirée Macke (@desireemacke), mom of 2 in Southern California. Desirée and I have been friends (online and in real life) for years and I can attest that she’s one of the most generous, hilarious, fun, encouraging and down-to-earth people I know. I’m absolutely honored to have here on our team – she’s a contributor and Instagram moderator – because she has a true passion for the outdoors and a wonderful sense of adventure. But don’t just take my word for it, here’s a little bit more about Desirée in her own words.

    Friday Featured Instagram Account: Desiree Macke @desireemacke

    Favorite outdoor experience from this past year?

    Recently, my husband and I took our kids (ages 7 and 3) to Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, and Tropic Reservoir. We hiked, played in streams complete with waterfalls, experienced the splendor of hoodoos and arches. We saw wildlife we’d never seen before, as well as wildlife that was once endangered but making a come-back. There were even deer that came within feet of our campfire while we were making s’mores. It was relaxing and thrilling and rejuvenating, all balled into one. The kids were completely in their element, never once were the words, “we’re bored” uttered. Neither kids nor parents wanted to leave when it was time to go home. It was a really fantastic trip.

    Friday Featured Instagram Account: Desiree Macke @desireemackeFriday Featured Instagram Account: Desiree Macke @desireemacke

    Favorite outdoor activity to do with the kids?

    My favorite thing to do outside with the kids is exploring the tide pools. No matter how many times we visit, or how many anemones, urchins, crabs, and sea stars we find, it’s always exciting. From marine life discoveries to digging in the sand, to tossing rocks, to simply splashing in the water, the kids love it.

    Be sure to read Desirée’s post on Exploring Tide Pools with Kids. It’s fantastic!

    Friday Featured Instagram Account: Desiree Macke @desireemackeFriday Featured Instagram Account: Desiree Macke @desireemacke

    What would people not realize about you from only seeing your Instagram photos?

    Most of my feed feels very urban. I love finding art – particularly street art – and bright, vibrant colors. So, my feed mostly highlights and reflects that. However, those photos are in the minority of how we spend most of our time… outside doing outdoorsy things (like riding bikes, going swimming, hitting the hiking trails, visiting the local beaches, playing at the park). Instagram really is just the most micro snippet of our lives.

    Friday Featured Instagram Account: Desiree Macke @desireemackeFriday Featured Instagram Account: Desiree Macke @desireemacke

    Top 3 bucket list destinations:

    1) Yellowstone National Park: the geyser eruption of Old Faithful, seeing wildlife such as bison and bears in their natural habitat, the waterfalls of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, the colors of Grand Prismatic Spring – oh my gosh, take me there!

    2) Banff, Alberta, Canada: the hiking trails, the turquoise waters of Lake Louise, the vista point in The Valley of Ten Peaks for a view of Moraine Lake – it all looks beyond magnificent.

    3) The Netherlands (can I include an entire country??). I have a lot of Dutch in me, and I would love to see from where my ancestors came. From the tulip fields to the canals to the baked goods the Dutch are known for, I would love nothing more than to experience it all.

    Friday Featured Instagram Account: Desiree Macke @desireemackeFriday Featured Instagram Account: Desiree Macke @desireemacke

    Why is it important to you to raise your children to love nature?

    It’s incredibly important to me that my kids grow up loving and respecting nature. I want my kids to want to go outside and get dirty, explore, and learn. I want them to reach for seashells and sticks instead of an electronic device. Kids should see that what we do (and what we don’t do) can greatly impact our world. I want my kids to love this planet enough to take care of it. There’s only one Earth and it’s important to me to raise kids to love it, appreciate it, and respect it.

    Friday Featured Instagram Account: Desiree Macke @desireemackeFriday Feature: Desiree Macke

    Any upcoming travel adventures planned for this year that you’re excited about?

    This summer our family is headed to Lake Ozark, MO to spend some time with family. I can’t wait to get our family out on the lake, hike some trails, and explore some caves. I foresee sun-kissed skin and very tired kids at the end of each day. Also, I’m excited about real Midwest sweet corn (that stuff is really hard to come by in California). This fall my just oldest and I are headed to Washington D.C. for a few days to check out the monuments, memorials, museums, and tour the White House. And, finally, our family is really hoping to get to Great Basin National Park before winter.

    friday featured instagram account @desireemacke

    For more from Desirée Macke,
    find her online in the following locations:

    Instagram: @desireemacke
    Her fun new side gig: @coolingrackconfections
    Blog: Macke Monologues
    Run Wild My Child: Posts by Desirée Macke

    For more inspiration behind our favorite Instagram accounts, check out all our Friday Features.