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FRIDAY FEATURES, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, PHOTOGRAPHY
Friday Feature: Samantha Elizabeth @thisgrowinglife_
- October 25, 2019
It’s Friday! Time for another Friday Feature, where we feature a member of our Instagram community and give you a little more information on the person and the inspiration behind the pretty pictures. Today’s featured photographer is Samantha Elizabeth @thisgrowinglife, a homesteading and homeschooling mom of four in Ontario, Canada. Samantha’s feed is full of incredible ideas for nature school lessons, nature crafts, outdoor activities and fun adventures. Her creativity shines through the images in her feed and I’m constantly in awe of the beautiful life and experiences she’s creating for her family. Her captions are encouraging, helpful and thoughtful. I can’t wait for you to get to know her a bit more. Here’s a little more about Samantha in her own words.

Favorite outdoor experience from this past year?

We spent a week exploring the caves and trails of Bruce Penninsula National Park in Tobermory Ontario. The water there is Caribbean blue and so beautiful! There are even underwater caves that you can swim through!

List three bucket list destinations you’re dying to see?

It’s so hard to pick only 3. I’d love to swim in the Melissani sea cave in Greece. I want to visit all the waterfalls in Croatia. Finally, I want to take a road trip all around Scotland, visiting as many castles as we could along the way.

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

We plan to take two road trips this year: one across Canada and the other down to Florida. Road trips are definitely a favorite around here!

What do you love/like the most about Instagram?

I love being able to connect with other mamas and being able to encourage one another!

Favorite place to photograph your kids?

I don’t have a favorite place but I do have a favorite season: autumn! The autumn colors around us are just breathtaking!

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

Instagram: @thisgrowinglife_

For more inspiration behind our favorite Instagram accounts, check out all our Friday Features.
FRIDAY FEATURES, PHOTOGRAPHY
Friday Feature: Brynja Sigurdardottir
- September 13, 2019
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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 FEATURES, PHOTOGRAPHY
Friday Feature: Amy Louise
- August 16, 2019
Hello Friday! It’s time for the next installment of Friday Features! Every other Friday we feature a member of the Run Wild My Child Instagram community. We choose a follower whom we love, adore and appreciate to feature here and so we all can get to know them a little better and be inspired by their gorgeous images. Today, our Friday Feature is Amy Louise (@agirlwandering), mom of three (20-month old twin girls and a seven-year-old daughter) located in Costa Blanca, Spain. Amy is such a wonderful, delightful presence on Instagram. She’s supportive and genuine and sweet as pie. She’s also the founder of the hub @treasured.childhood. Amy has such an incredibly beautiful way of capturing her girls in some epic locations and gorgeous light. Here’s a bit more about her and her photography in her own words.

What is your favorite outdoor experience from this past year?

One Sunday we were pondering what to do so we just got in the car and took a drive. The rules were that I just gave out random directions as we wanted to find a new place to explore. We ended up driving up a side of the Bernia mountain range here on the Costa Blanca and the little area we discovered was incredible. As we parked up we came across some goats and a horse which we fed grass to, the children were very excited about this!

We then took our three girls up an old cobbled path, collecting flowers, rocks, and other random bits and bobs along the way. As we reached the top of the hill we witnessed the most spectacular view! People always say that from this coastline, on a very clear day you can see the Balearic Islands if you get lucky and we’ve tried to see them for years! It just so happened that on this particular day the sky was clear enough and we were in the perfect spot to see them in the distance!

All in all, it was a wonderful, surprising and unplanned day. For me those days when you don’t put too much pressure on yourself to plan things… Those make for the most memorable ones.

What is your favorite outdoor memory from childhood?

I grew up in a beautiful part of Southern England called ‘The New Forest’ its a national park on the South Coast. For me, my favorite memories always surround exploring the forest with my younger sister and friends. We would cycle through the woods, feed the ponies, have picnics, paddle in the streams and we even built a treehouse once! For me, those things hold such a special place in my heart and I strive to recreate similar special memories for my three beautiful girls.

How would you describe your photography style and Instagram feed?

My photos are definitely of the ‘candid’ variety. I started my Instagram years ago and literally have thousands of photos on there. I have been working towards creating my own ‘visual scrapbook’ of my most favorite experiences with my family. For me, I always try to capture genuine moments that are not posed or planned. It’s about taking a moment that is special and means something to you and bringing it to life with editing and adding some little sparkle along the way!

Any tips for parents that want to get outdoors with their kids?

I’m going to say that the most important thing to do is try and think of things you loved to do as a child. It’s funny because this age we live in is all about buying the latest ‘this’ or ‘that’. There are a lot of social pressures to deal with but I tend to ignore that and just keep things simple. We plan what we will need – weather pending. We always bring lots of snacks and water.

And we try to make the experience as relaxed as possible. It’s not about trying to show them everything or rush around. It’s about visiting somewhere and trying to show them something new, something that they will remember forever. And children will often surprise you with what they are interested in so let them take the lead too!

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

For me, the answer is simple…because it’s real. We have lost touch with a fundamental part of ourselves because of the constant need for innovation to make our lives more and more convenient. As much as this is such an incredible time to be alive, it is also so deeply important that we don’t forget our connection to this planet.

By reconnecting with nature you are reconnecting with the very ideals that make us human to begin with. This is why I encourage our family to step outside!

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

Instagram: @agirlwandering
Hub: @treasured.childhood
Website (coming soon): www.agirlwandering.com

For more inspiration behind our favorite Instagram accounts, check out all our Friday Features.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Friday Feature: Murielle Cascone
- July 26, 2019
Every other Friday we feature a favorite member of the @runwild.mychild Instagram community and give you a little sneak peek of the inspiration and motivation behind the pretty pictures. Today, we’re featuring the absolutely amazing Murielle Cascone (@muriellecascone), a New York mom and family photographer. I’ve fallen in love with the beautiful simplicity of Murielle’s gorgeous photos. The incredible light, the pops of color, the creative focus, and all the dreamy bokeh make me swoon. Here’s a little bit more about Murielle in her own words…

Favorite place to photograph your kids?

I love water and light! Some of my favorite places to take photos are at the beach and in the pool. I also love parks with beautiful trees, a body of water and a playground for my daughter to have fun in the end.

Describe your photography style & Instagram feed

Gosh, I often think I’m all over the place. I love to shoot portraits, document my daughter’s different activities and also nature. I can have moody shots as well as happy ones, colors and black and whites. It really depends for me. I also shoot when I can, due to my very limited schedule. When I have time, I go for full-sun and golden hour. Golden hour is definitely my favorite type of light to shoot in.

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

I’m not just a photographer; I also have a full-time job that I commute to for a total of four hours a day. Mainly, I shoot for fun on weekends and post different photos from that series. I also moderate a hub, the Unraveled Academy FB group, and have a part-time photography business. And if that wasn’t enough, I’m also currently writing a photography course for Unraveled Academy and taking a federal tax class online! My life is crazy!

List three bucket list destinations you’re dying to see?
- Africa
- Hawaii
- Australia
What’s in your camera bag and what do you use most often?

My 24-70mm L f2.8, 85mm L f1.4 and Lensbaby Sol 45 lenses. I try to use all three at different points in my adventure if I can, but the 24-70mm is the most versatile lens, which allows me to also capture the sky.

How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

I think now more than ever, there’s so much information out there about anything on the internet, photography included. That is how I start with photography; googling and YouTubing things. In addition, I love taking online photography courses. I just love to learn; there’s always something new to learn in my opinion.

Lessons learned from outdoor adventures?

When adventuring with kids, always bring snacks, a potty, and take breaks. Don’t try to do too much in one day!

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

Instagram: @muriellecascone
Website: http://www.muriellecascone.com

For more inspiration behind our favorite Instagram accounts, check out all our Friday Features.
FRIDAY FAVORITES, FRIDAY FEATURES, PHOTOGRAPHY
Friday Feature: Desirée Macke
- July 12, 2019
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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
FRIDAY FEATURES, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, PHOTOGRAPHY
Friday Feature: Brandi Rondinelli
- June 21, 2019
Happy Friday! Time for another edition of our Friday Features, where we feature a member of our incredibly inspiring Instagram community. Today, we are featuring the amazing Brandi Rondinelli (@soulshinephotographer), professional photographer, adventurer and mom of 2 from Southeastern Wisconsin.

Meet Brandi Rondinelli

Brandi’s Instagram feed is filled with gorgeous images of her children exploring nature in the most beautiful and innocent ways. Her images capture the simplicity and wonder of childhood, with a touch of fantasy and whimsy.

Brandi is also the personality behind the Run My Child Facebook feed, so if you follow us there, you’ll pick up on her love of homesteading, gardening, photography, homeschooling, foraging, and animals. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her (and her adorable daughter) in person and can attest to her warm, genuine spirit, her curiosity, compassion and huge heart. Here’s a little more about the inspiration behind her images in her own words.

Favorite outdoor experience from this past year?

We visited one of our favorite places to explore, Retzer Nature Center. Of course, I brought my camera along, but had no visions or expectations. We were just there for fun. I let the kids go wherever they wanted and allowed them to be the leaders. They took us to some very pretty spots and we just ran around having fun. We raced up a big hill, rolled around in the long grass, tickled each other and made funny noises! We laughed so hard that day! And, in the midst of it all, I caught some pretty photos that captured our time exploring perfectly. It was just the all-around the perfect hike.

Favorite outdoor activity to do with your children?

This is so simple and easy, but my favorite outdoor activity to do with the kids is to look up at the clouds and see if we can make animals out of them. Such a classic childhood activity and I always learn so much about my children’s imaginations and personalities.

What do you love/like the most about Instagram?

I love connecting with like-minded mamas and supporting everyone in their journey while also being able to share my work and hopefully inspire others. Instagram is an amazing place filled with so much inspiration and wonderful people. I’ve made some great “real life” connections through social media and I absolutely love my online friends!!

List three bucket list destinations you’re dying to see?
- Banff & Alberta, Canada
- Bali, Indonesia
- Italy
What is your favorite quote?

That is a tough one. I love quotes!! I actually have a Pinterest board with just quotes that touch my soul. So I have lots of favorites. However, if I had to choose just one, I’ll go with “Troubles, they may come and go but good times, they’re the gold.” -Dave Matthews Band (also, my favorite band)

What is your favorite outdoor memory from childhood?

Climbing trees and building forts in the woods with my brother. We would go outside first thing in the morning and wouldn’t come in until the street lights came on.

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

We know that contact with nature is a source of wonder and inspiration for children. Nature is essential to their healthy development and sense of spirituality. With that being said I love teaching my kids about the natural world. Nature was always a huge part of my life growing up, it was more than just a place to play for me. It was a place to escape from my house, it was my safe place. I want my kids to feel in touch with nature as I did. I don’t want it to be their escape, per se, but I want them to think of nature as their second home. It’s safe to say, these past 4+ years with my kids have been making nature a priority and it shows.

What is your favorite local/state/national park and why?

My all-time favorite place that I’ve hiked thus far is Olympic National Forest, specifically, Hoh Rainforest! My husband and I traveled there last year and it was just absolutely amazing! Those big mossy trees were incredible. Washington has my heart!

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

Personal Instagram: @soulshinephotographer
Client work: @motherhenshomestead
Website: http://www.soulshinephotographer.com

For more inspiration behind our favorite Instagram accounts, check out all our Friday Features.
FRIDAY FAVORITES, PHOTOGRAPHY
Friday Favorites: Favorite Outdoorsy Instagrammers, Part 2
- January 25, 2019
For this week’s Friday Favorites, I’m sharing another installment of my favorite outdoor Instagram photographers. Two of my biggest passions are getting kids outdoors and photography, so I get so excited when I find other parents that share those loves. I’ve selected 8 gorgeous accounts from some of the most talented and inspiring photographers from our little online community. Each of these feeds is chock-full of gorgeous photos, beautiful words and lots of fun outdoor adventures, big and small.

If you follow us on Instagram, you probably recognize these photographers from our feed and you will certainly see them again (and soon…hint, hint). I have found Instagram to be a wonderful place to not only find an incredible outdoor community, but also to scout locations and get ideas for planning your own outdoor adventures with your kids. I’ve included some fun info on each of the accounts below with links to their feed, their websites and their answers to a few questions about getting their kids outside. I hope you’ll go check them all out and follow along on their adventures!

@angie_mahlke

Angie Mahlke
Minnesota
http://www.angiemahlkephotography.com
- Favorite outdoor family activity: We really enjoy camping together as a family. As soon as the snow melts in the spring, we pack up the camper and go! We go as often as we can until the campgrounds close in the fall.
- Biggest struggle/obstacle to getting kids outdoors: In the winter it’s hard because of the cold temps in Minnesota and all the layers involved. Sometimes it takes us thousands of hours just to get out the door, but it’s always worth it once we’re outside and having fun.
- Advice for other parents about getting their kids outdoors: Getting outside with your kids doesn’t have to be a grand adventure. It doesn’t take hours of planning or preparation. Just going for a walk to look at the nature right outside your door. Or scribble on the driveway with chalk. Kids like the simplicity of being outside and you can often follow their lead on what to do.
- Tips for taking outdoor adventure photos of kids: The easiest thing to do is take photos of them in the action. Candid shots versus posed ones. That way you aren’t interrupting the moment or bothering them with a camera in their face. You’re just on the edge of the action simply documenting them having fun.
- Best lesson your kids have taught you about adventuring: Let go!! Don’t control and plan every minute of your outings or adventures. Just go with it and let the moments unfold before you.
@life_of_glow

Robyn Chubey
Western Canada
http://www.lifeofglow.com
- Favorite outdoor family activity: The kiddos and I love to go hiking and exploring to collect outdoorsy treasures and learn about wildlife and plants!
- Most anticipated outdoor activity with your kids this winter/spring: Winter is all about tobogganing, skating, and playing in the snow. Spring is all about gardening and hiking!
- Advice for other parents about getting their kids outdoors: The more you do something the easier it gets. I try to be sure to get outside with my kiddos (with or without my camera) every day for at least an hour. It’s so good for them to get that fresh air and be wild!
- Tips for taking outdoor adventure photos of kids: My best tip is to go out with a task in mind for them, building sandcastles, hunting for snails, picking a bouquet of wildflowers, puddle jumping. Buckets are always a fave accessory of mine because it gives them a chance to collect and hunt for things to carry back with them. Having a task makes for engaged images that keep them looking busy and entertained!
- Best lesson your kids have taught you about adventuring: Never EVER leave home without snacks!
@hollynicoletimekeeper

Holly Awwad
Michigan
- Favorite outdoor family activity: We love the great outdoors. We are blessed to live in the woods, and we love to hike and hunt for treasures all year round. We also love to camp and own a travel trailer that allows us to get out and explore areas outside of our own backyard.
- Biggest struggle/obstacle to getting kids outdoors: With my older kids, the biggest struggle is technology. The older they get, the more they are glued to devices. However, we keep a daily limit on screen time and encourage them to get outside when the weather/schedule permits. I rarely have to struggle with my youngest to get her outside. She would play outside 24/7 if I let her!
- Most anticipated outdoor activity with your kids this winter/spring: In the winter we love to build snowmen and go sledding. Although I will admit, I am already counting down the days (hours!) until spring. I love watching nature bloom all around us and it seems like there is something new to discover almost daily.
- Tips for taking outdoor adventure photos of your kids: I tend to take a more candid approach. I want to be in the moment, so I sit back and observe and when I see something that inspires me I’ll snap an image. If you force photography on your kids when you are out with them, they will hate it. So make sure you put the camera down and be present as well.
- Best lesson your kids have taught you about adventuring: Don’t be afraid to get dirty! The best times and the best memories often result in needing a full body hose down before you go back in the house!
@in_thislight

Shelby Zavala
Longmont, Colorado
http://www.inthislightphotography.com
- Favorite outdoor family activity: My favorite outdoor activity do with the kids or as a family would include anything that allows us to enjoy the beautiful scenery Colorado has to offer! Everything from exploring Rocky Mountain National Park, to our local nature areas or even the open space behind our home. We really enjoy anything that gets us away from the street noise and to where we can fully immerse ourselves into nature!
- Most anticipated outdoor activity with your kids this winter/spring: Warmer weather always brings an increased level of excitement to explore. After the feeling of being cooped up all winter, the warm weather is greatly welcomed and our real adventuring begins! We love to revisit our favorite spots and it is always refreshing to view the scenery through a new lens when the landscape starts to turn green!
- Advice for other parents about getting their kids outdoors: Just go! The hardest part is usually just getting out the door! Once you’re outside, it’s like a wonderful refresh! Let the kids run and just enjoy the scenery for yourself. My favorite times to go play outside is either an hour or two before naptime, or that golden hour before bedtime. Plus, kids nap better after coming in from playing hard outside!
- Tips for taking outdoor adventure photos of your kids: My biggest tip would be to just let kids be kids and capture that! Toddlers (especially) do not take direction very well and you will both end up frustrated if you try to make them do something that they are not willing to do (talking from experience here!).
- Best lesson your kids have taught you about adventuring: The biggest lesson my daughter has taught me about adventuring is to slow down and notice the little things. There are so many little things to see when you take the time to zoom in on the details. The sparkle of a rock, a trail of ants, a leaf in the shape of a heart. It’s amazing what kids will notice. Let them lead your adventure!
@jessie.b.photo

Jess Buttermore
Seattle, WA
http://www.JessieBPhotography.com
- Favorite outdoor family activity: Our family is happiest when our feet touch the sand, specifically Pacific Coast sand. We love climbing rock formations, searching for sea creatures, exploring caves, drawing in the sand, creating zen gardens, and collecting stones and shells. These are family experiences that never grow old and are fun for every age. Since relocating to Seattle, we’ve completely fallen in love with all the beautiful parks and beaches that line both the Washington or Oregon coasts. We pack up the car and venture to the water’s edge every chance we get.
- Biggest struggle/obstacle to getting kids outdoors: Rain. We are in the midst of rainy season here in Seattle, and it can really put a damper on adventuring. To make matters worse, adventuring along the coastlines can also mean high winds, especially during the colder months, and let me tell you, the sideways windy rain is just no fun for anyone. We keep an eye on the forecast and make the very most of the rain-free and light-rain days. Moreover, we’ve learned to embrace overcast and even come to love it as preferred adventure weather.
- Advice for other parents about getting their kids outdoors: I encourage you to embrace both old and new adventures. For example, if you have a particular location that is meaningful to your family, try visiting it during all four seasons. It’s amazing how different your local lake, beach, park or hiking trail can look and feel in different weather conditions. Alternatively, exploring locations that are new to your family can be some of the most memorable. There’s nothing like watching their excitement as they approach a new bend in the path. It’s one of my favorite parts of visiting new locations.
- Tips for taking outdoor adventure photos of kids: When I photograph my kids on adventures, I have a few goals in mind. First and most importantly, I hope to capture their personalities and their special sibling bond. Second, I love capturing them as they explore and discover. Much of the time, they don’t even know I’m photographing them, which is when I get the most genuine candid captures. Third, I make sure to always pull back to capture the bigger picture and beautiful scenic views of all of our adventure locations. Sweeping views help me tell my story. And finally, I love to capture the details. Adventuring with my children gives me endless opportunities to capture and freeze those precious details forever. Like their little hands showing you the stones they collected, the stone tower they are so proud of, or their favorite adventure sticks.
- Best lesson your kids have taught you about adventuring: They’ve taught me to stop and breathe the salt air. To look up, look down, and admire and appreciate all the little details nature leaves in our path. And that the woods and the beach are better playgrounds than a jungle gym could ever be.
@susan.grimes

Susan Grimes
North Carolina
- Favorite outdoor family activity: I love playing anywhere there is a little bit of water. Creeks, lakes, and oceans all seem to excite and entertain my kids more than anything else. I think it is partly because they can interact with the environment more. I love just watching them explore and pretend in a new place.
- Biggest struggle/obstacle to getting kids outdoors: I feel like our schedule is our biggest obstacle. As my kids have gotten older, after-school activities have reduced our free time to just get out and play.
- Most anticipated outdoor activity with your kids this winter/spring: I always look forward to those few scattered warmer days where we can get out and feel refreshed by the sunshine. We just created some natural play spaces in our woods and I can’t wait to see them put to good use.
- Advice for other parents about getting their kids outdoors: My advice would be to choose adventures where the kids can take the lead. As we are out exploring, I find my kids have a lot more patience when we go slow and I let them decide our path, stop to search for treasures, or just give them time to sit and play for a while.
- Tips for taking outdoor adventure photos of kids: I try to be a quiet observer first and watch how they are exploring, then think of creative ways to take the scene. I will look for ways to add depth with foreground or framing with the natural elements.
@susanbrooksby

Susan Brooksby
Colorado
susanbphotography.com
- Favorite outdoor family activity: hiking, taking our pup out for a walk
- Biggest struggle/obstacle to getting kids outdoors: winter months in the cold
- Most anticipated outdoor activity with your kids this winter/spring: we love to go snowboarding!
- Advice for other parents about getting their kids outdoors: find new places to explore together
- Tips for taking outdoor adventure photos of your kids: let the kids run around and explore while you stay back and observe
@nataliegildersleeve

Natalie Gildersleeve
Portland, OR
nataliegildersleeve.com
- Favorite outdoor family activity: We love pretty much anything outdoors. Anywhere there is space to experience a deeper sense of freedom and wild fills our souls. Hiking, biking, climbing and days at the river are some of our favorite activities. We live pretty close to the coast so we spend time there whenever we can. We love the dunes, tide pools, crabbing and making driftwood forts. Also, we love camping and sleeping under the stars.
- Most anticipated outdoor activity with your kids this winter/spring: Skiing is one of our favorite winter activities so we look forward to more of that this winter. The kids love Spring skiing when they can wear tank tops and cruise around comfortably in the sun. We also love to road trip every Spring. It is so nice to have a trip to look forward to after the gray winters we often experience here.
- Advice for other parents about getting their kids outdoors: My kids love an exciting adventure. Tell stories, teach them about the area, make it exciting. When they are little, start slow, but get outside as often as possible so it is just part of what you do. Encourage them by reminding them of how strong they are. Be a team. Also, plenty of snacks and comfortable clothing are essential.
- Tips for taking outdoor adventure photos of your kids: I love to get candid moments of my kids. Often, I just follow them, moving around to get different angles and perspectives as we adventure. I find myself running a lot! I will ask them how fast they can run to something or to check out something cool … any prompts to create action and genuine interest. It is also important to have time to settle in, whenever they have space to just be the most magical moments happen. Forcing them to pose never works for us.
- Best lesson your kids have taught you about adventuring: It definitely not about the destination. Remember to pause and take in the beauty. Let go of rigid agenda.
A huge thanks to all these amazing outdoor photographers for sharing their tips, photos, and worlds with us. Make sure to follow them on Instagram and let them know we sent you their way! We’ll be featuring more of their inspiring images on our feed over the next few weeks.

For more outdoor photographic gorgeousness, check out Part 1 of our Favorite Outdoorsy Instagrammers.
FRIDAY FAVORITES, PHOTOGRAPHY
Friday Favorites: Outdoorsy Instagramers
- June 16, 2017
Happy Friday, friends! For this week’s installment of Friday Favorites, I’d like to share a few of my favorite outdoorsy Instagramers with you. Two of my biggest passions are getting kids outdoors and photography, so I get very excited when I find other like minded parents with a drive to get their kids exploring outdoors and an eye for images. Each of these accounts are full of gorgeous photos, beautiful words and lot of outdoor activities. We have a few professional photographers, but there are also stay-at-home moms, bloggers, doctors, adventurers and free spirits. We’re featuring accounts from across the country; from the Pacific Northwest and California to Texas and Tennessee, from the mountains to the beach and everything in between. Their styles are all different and unique, but they all share of love of nature, a love for their children and a love of capturing special moments in time.

I’ve featured images from each of these accounts on the Run Wild My Child Instagram page (I hope you’re following!) and you will certainly see them again. I have found Instagram to be a wonderful place to not only find photography inspiration, but to scout locations and get ideas for planning your own outdoor adventures with your kids. I’ve included some fun info on each of the accounts below with links to their feeds and their answers to a few questions about getting their kids outside. I hope you’ll go check them all out and follow along on their adventures!

@bethcagnoni
Beth Cagnoni – mom of four kids (3 boys and a girl), ages 15, 11, 8, and 3

San Diego, California
- Favorite outdoor activity to do with your kids: My kids love the beach, so that’s where we spend most of our time. But my favorite thing to do is fruit-picking: apples, strawberries, blueberries, etc. There’s something so timeless and nostalgic to me about it. Then we take it all home and I make pie or cobbler or jam.
- Biggest struggle with getting kids outdoors: My kids constantly want to be entertained and they want scheduled activities. I find it difficult to get them to just be play creatively outdoors in our neighborhood.
- What you’re looking forward to doing most with your kids this summer: I’m looking forward to beach time and pool time this summer. It gets pretty hot here in San Diego, so we will be spending lots of time by the water.
- Advice for other parents about getting their kids outdoors: I find family activities help get my kids outdoors. If we all go mountain-biking, to the beach, or to play tennis together, it gets us all outdoors and enjoying the activity.
@seasalt.and.evergreens

(formerly @justbethwithaj)

Beth E
Seattle, WA
- Favorite outdoor activity to do with your kids: My favorite is exploring the beach near our house. I am so happy there, and I think it rubs off on the kids. It’s an easy outing that we are all familiar with, and it is close by, so we don’t have to do much planning. All of that makes it makes it extra enjoyable. I know many of my photos look like we are in the middle of no-where, but usually we are just out and about at urban and suburban parks and beaches.
- Biggest struggle with getting kids outdoors: Living in the PNW, it is definitely the weather. Appropriate and good quality clothing helps, but there are some days it is just too wet and stormy to muster any enthusiasm about going outside. If the wind isn’t bad, I usually make the effort no matter how hard it is raining or how cold it is (for some reason wind really bugs me, and scares me a little.)
- What are you looking forward to doing most with your kids this summer: We have a lot of camping trips planned, and I am very excited to do these with the kids. We always pick campgrounds we know will be good with the kids. We plan waaaay ahead of time to make sure we have campgrounds and sites that will suit our needs. I am also really excited about watching the solar eclipse with them on August 21st!
- Advice for other parents about getting their kids outdoors: When I decided to stay home with my kids after my second son was born 2 years ago, and my oldest was then 2 years old (my boys are now 2 and 4 years old), I made a resolution with myself we would go outside a good part of the day, every day no matter the weather. At first it was hard when the weather turned bad, but after awhile, it mostly just became habit. The more I did it, the easier it became for all of us and its sort of second nature now. Start small – you don’t have to go anywhere in particular, you can just explore your yard or your street if that’s all you have time and energy to do, but doing it often will make the big trips easier too.
@laurabird_k

Laura Keenan
Salt Lake City Utah

laurabirdblog.com
- Favorite outdoor activity to do with your kids: Ooh, this is tough to choose one. Especially since we get to enjoy all four seasons. Favorite Winter activity is skiing as a family, even our not quite two year old & pregnant mama get on skis! In the summer, my favorite is camping!
- Biggest struggle with getting kids outdoors: My kids are happiest outdoors as am I, so we can’t get out quick enough each day. It can be a lot of work though. Depending on the weather and how long we’ll be out, multiple changes of clothes & plenty of food for the tribe may be needed!
- What are you looking forward to doing most with your kids this summer: Camping! We try to spend as much time in the mountains and near water as possible. We even back packed in when we just had one kid, but haven’t been brace enough to attempt this since adding a second kid.
- Advice for other parents about getting their kids outdoors: Do it daily! Once you get in the habit, it’s just a part of life. Regardless of the weather. Be okay with messy kids. Be okay with no real plans or destinations. Just being in nature is good for everyone!
@ashleydscheiderphotography
Ashley Scheider

Tacoma, WA

Official Hike it Baby Photographer

Favorite outdoor activity to do with your kids: Hiking!

Biggest struggle with getting kids outdoors: Getting past the parking lot. For some reason, from the car to the trail head, there seems to be way more meltdowns than actually on trail.

What are you looking forward to doing most with your kids this summer: Waterfall hikes and the hikes that are closed off over the pass during the winter!

Advice for other parents about getting their kids outdoors: Just go! They can go in their pajamas, just throw a jacket over them, grab a squeeze pouch and go. Getting them out will help your sanity and theirs!
@aprilcphoto

April

Western Oregon

http://littletreesphoto.com
- Favorite outdoor activity to do with your kids: Hiking, camping
- Biggest struggle with getting kids outdoors: How much I need to pack. It’s amazing how much more stuff is needed with two extra littles in tow!
- What are you looking forward to doing most with your kids this summer: Camping at some of our favorite remote places and also bringing them backpacking for the first time (they’re 3 & 5 and finally able to lug packs for short distances).
- Do you have any advice for other parents about getting their kids outdoors: Just get outside, and repeat. I’m amazed at how comfortable my kids are in inclement weather and how excited they get about sleeping outside, and I have it all to thank to taking them outdoors since they were babies.
@daytripsla

Ralph DeFelice

Pasadena, CA

http://www.daytripsla.com
- Favorite outdoor activity to do with your kids: In the summer, we hike and climb in the local mountains and the Sierras, and spend time on the coast – surfing, tide pooling, and just hanging out on the beach. We do a lot of weekend day trips and some longer road trips. We are also learning how to climb with help from some friends. In the winter, we snowboard and ski, and we spend more time in the desert than at the beach.
- Biggest struggle with getting kids outdoors: As a single, urban-dwelling parent with a full-time job, the biggest struggle is just managing time. I only have a handful of weekend days each month when I have the kids all day. I have to be ready to take full advantage of those opportunities, and I rarely let a free day go by without doing something significant with the kids outside. It’s easy to make excuses, to put it off until next weekend, to schedule the kids into weekend activities to avoid doing anything else, to succumb to peer pressure about what you “should be” doing with your kids, to complain about traffic, or just to be too tired. Living in Los Angeles, nature does’t come easy. You have to make an effort.
- What are you looking forward to doing most with your kids this summer: We are gearing up and practicing for our first backpacking trip this summer. We are hiking into a mountain lake in the Sierras to spend at least two nights. I did so many serious backpacking trips with my parents growing up, and I am really excited to graduate from car camping and take our camping experience to the next level. The kids will complain on the hike, I will have to stay patient and calm, but once we get there I know they will love and be so proud of their accomplishment.
- Do you have any advice for other parents about getting their kids outdoors: The biggest barrier I’ve seen for parents getting their kids really out into nature is fear. Fear of the unknown and fear of failure. What should we do? Where should we go? What should we bring? How far is the drive? What is there to do when we get there? Is it safe? Are there bugs? Or bears? Will it be cold? Will the kids have fun? And on and on. Going on a your first camping trip or real road trip can feel overwhelming. It takes practice and planning and failing a few times to get it right. To get started, my advice is go small and go often. If you’re out doing something every weekend, your chances of failure might increase but your risk decreases. If an occasional day trip doesn’t work out or it rains or you get lost or someone gets hurt, it’s not a big deal. Work your way up to longer trips – one-nighters, two-nighters. And build your confidence. Take notes, remember what you forgot. And more importantly remember what you brought that didn’t need. Connect with influencers on Instagram, ask questions, join meet ups, adventure with other families. Make a plan and a commitment to go on adventures, and don’t let anything change those plans. The kids will survive missing a soccer game or a birthday party.
@ericaeldridgephotos

Erica Bowton

Nashville, TN

http://www.ericaeldridgephotography.com
- Favorite outdoor activity to do with your kids: playing at the beach or collecting rocks at the lake – we love the water!
- Biggest struggle with getting kids outdoors: sunscreen in the summer and coats in the winter – lots of fights about these things
- What are you looking forward to doing most with your kids this summer: playing in the pool
- Advice for other parents about getting their kids outdoors: If we’re feeling unmotivated, which happens to us all the time, I’ll usually pick a new fun spot to go to and make it an “adventure.” We are lucky to have lots of parks and lakes around us, but it could just be to a local park or a splash pad or a nature walk down the street. Sometimes we’ll go on a nature hunt and I’ll draw or list things for them to find.
@nicholettat

Nichole Quinn
Houston, Texas
- Favorite outdoor activity to do with your kids: I love to go on adventurous walks with them and find new parks.
- Biggest struggle with getting kids outdoors: I don’t have much of a struggle getting my boys outside. I can’t get them back inside to do homework or take a bath.
- What are you looking forward to doing most with your kids this summer: I am so excited for summer. I can’t wait to go to the beach with them. We love to make sandcastles and play in the waves.
- Advice for other parents about getting their kids outdoors: I would advise parents to really limit electronics and television starting from a young age. We try to stick to only an hour of television during the day. We started talking walks outdoors with the boys from a young age and always encouraged outdoor play. Sprinklers and a water hose provide hours of play!
@forestnfolk

Darby & Nicholas Ficek – parents of 8 kids
Southern Oregon
forestnfolk.com
- A little about @forestnfolk: We live in beautiful Southern Oregon just steps away from the evergreen forest. Let’s start with me: I grew up with crazy hippie people who lived off the redwood forest, didn’t drink milk or eat anything processed. I was a barefoot, crazy haired real wild child. My parents were exceptionally in tune with nature. My father was a 3rd generation forager. He knew every name of every weed, floral or spray. He knew its purpose, if we could eat it or if it was possible to wildcraft. They were some of the most down to earth people you could meet and if you did you fell in love. So naturally I inherited their love for the forest, all of its creatures and it’s magnificent creator. My husband grew up in Bend with a little straighter narrow parents, but indeed outdoorsy. At age 5 he started to hike 10-15 miles pretty frequently and at age 8 he hiked a 50 miler. If there’s a trail in Bend…he knows it. Some of his fondest memories as a child are on backpacking trips were his father would read huge chapter books late into the night with a flashlight in their tent. So you take two who grew up with the forest as a constant at their feet … you put them together + they make a lot babies and then you get forestnfolk.
- How do you do it?!!: Our whole marriage we have had comments about ” how do you do it?” ” How do you adventure and travel with all those kids?” Well, the secret is having trust in yourself. I mean yes, snacks, lots of water, games and the occasional bribery of gummy bears, but if you believe in yourself as a parent you can do it. I tell my children often you can do anything you put your mind to. I’m not saying it’s easy peasy. Sometimes I want to pull my hair out just to get out the door, but when we do it’s ALL worth it.
- Biggest struggled with getting your kids outdoors: I feel like some parents think getting outside is harder than it really is. The truth is children thrive in an outdoor environment. I think being outside is a whole lot easier than being indoors, to be honest. They’re open to imagination out there….they have room to roam….to create the ability to be resourceful for themselves including self awareness. They learn a sense of responsibility. They have a connection with nature….With living beautiful things around them…it’s quite astonishing actually to see them develop this yearning for themselves. Trust me I have eight children. It’s extremely nerve wracking when we are stuck indoors and they are asking me to entertain them. Not that I don’t love creating creative outlets just saying it’s easier on me to let them be wild in the woods.
- What are you looking forward to doing most with your kids this summer: I look forward to many years of outdoor adventure. This summer we don’t have huge plans other than some pretty big hikes with the older kids and a few camping trips. Those camping trips are simple. They are close by. They are cheap, but I know we will be making some of the best memories of our lives. Some of my favorite memories with our kids outdoors are nothing really special, I mean we have some crazy stories to tell from Angel’s landing, trecking the rainforest and caves of Thailand to Kauai’s Napali coastline, but none of them compare to the sweetest sounds of little feet hitting the trail next to us or the wide eyed amazement of finding a new creature. Watching them gaze with astonishment at a magnificent horizon. To watch my children fall in love with the world in front of me is by far my favorite experience. Adventures are definitely apart of our lives, but THEY are the greatest adventure yet.
- Advice for other parents about getting their kids outdoors: It’s hard to keep up a persona of a constant outdoor life. I am more than just an outdoor mom. I am mom who reads books in bed, who cooks, who vegges out on Netflix. My kids are more than just adventure kids. They live in a home full of love, they play with legos, they play sports, they are ballerinas, and brothers and sisters. Instagram and these social networks are wonderful ways to meet friends, to feel inspired and away to be creative, but sometimes they don’t show the messy, the real and that is what I enjoy seeing and being. When you create an environment that is relatable it’s easier to connect. It’s refreshing and inspiring. Life is a journey and we are all a wild child on our own adventure trail. Whether it be learning to tie your kindergartener’s shoe, planting a garden or on the cliffs of Kauai. I look forward to seeing each and every family trail and like REI says every trail connects…I candidly think we connect. I have met so many cool people out there from all over the world. Although I want to share our love of the forest…there are still these folks behind the scenes. These real folks who live real lives. Thus I created forestnfolk. I figured if I’m not one’s cup of tea (adventure feed) then they can move on, but as for my tribe we ride real….
If you look up the definition of wild it says it is living or growing in a natural environment. If we raise wild children to play outside in a natural environment they will flourish. They will develop a since of belonging with their environment and appreciate and want to take care of it as well as grow up to be adults who install the same behaviors in their children an so on. Their natural environment can be anywhere from the forest, park or right in their very own back yard. It feels natural to be in an environment outdoors because we were made to be apart of it. I love meeting wild children big and small. I love being a wild child and I love raising wild children. Here’s to all the wild childs across the globe. May they run, may they be messy and may they be real.”

A huge thanks to all these amazing outdoor parents for sharing your beautiful words and worlds with us. Make sure to follow them on Instagram and let them know we sent you their way! We’ll be featuring more of their gorgeous images on our feed over the next week.

instagram accounts

Favorite outdoor experience from this past year?

List three bucket list destinations you’re dying to see?

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

What do you love/like the most about Instagram?

Favorite place to photograph your kids?

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

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

What is your favorite quote?

What is your favorite outdoor memory from your childhood?

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

Any upcoming trips you’re excited about?

What’s in your camera bag?

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

What is your favorite outdoor experience from this past year?

What is your favorite outdoor memory from childhood?

How would you describe your photography style and Instagram feed?

Any tips for parents that want to get outdoors with their kids?

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

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

Favorite place to photograph your kids?

Describe your photography style & Instagram feed

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

List three bucket list destinations you’re dying to see?

What’s in your camera bag and what do you use most often?

How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

Lessons learned from outdoor adventures?

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

Favorite outdoor experience from this past year?

Favorite outdoor activity to do with the kids?

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

Top 3 bucket list destinations:

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

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

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

Meet Brandi Rondinelli

Favorite outdoor experience from this past year?

Favorite outdoor activity to do with your children?

What do you love/like the most about Instagram?

List three bucket list destinations you’re dying to see?

What is your favorite quote?

What is your favorite outdoor memory from childhood?

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

What is your favorite local/state/national park and why?

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

runwild.mychild

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

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

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

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

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

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