Hi, Im Madeleine mommy of four, wife and owner of Madeleine JL Photography.I am a Swede, but located in Orange County, southern California.
Spending my days chasing my nutty kids, capturing their unscripted
childhood one day at a time. Together we love to explore the world,
be it the backyard sandbox or a faraway land.
What I shoot with when I’m traveling:
I shoot with a Canon 5DIII and I like to bring along 2-3 lenses when we travel.
My favorite being my 35mm. This summer I shot with my 35mm as well as 24mm and 85mm.
My favorite being my 35mm. This summer I shot with my 35mm as well as 24mm and 85mm.
I only bring 1 lens, attached to the camera, when we’re heading to the beach/museum/other outings
I hate lugging around 20lbs of equipment, light and easy is my game 🙂
I love to travel with my kids.
Explore new hidden gems and experience well known spots.
Creating childhood memories and spending time together.
I also know how stressful it is to be on the road with your little ones. The strss of packing, getting on a plane
for 10 hours, finding food they’ll eat. It’s all a fine line that needs to be balanced for everyone
for 10 hours, finding food they’ll eat. It’s all a fine line that needs to be balanced for everyone
to stay sane.
First and foremost I’m here to talk about how you capture truly genuine
moments of your kids on your camera while traveling.
I’ll also throw in some ideas that have saved my mental health after
years of going across land and ocean with my circus in tow, cause I’m cool like that.
I’ll also throw in some ideas that have saved my mental health after
years of going across land and ocean with my circus in tow, cause I’m cool like that.
1.) It is O.K.A.Y if Your kids don’t look at the camera.
The big one.
The big one.
Mom. Listen carefully.
Trust me.
It really is ok.
I actually prefer kiddos not looking at the camera.
Telling a genuine story of your kids childhood definitely includes them NOT starring
into your camera.
Tip. Never stayed in a AirBnB? You absolutely need to! There is no better way to travel with kids
and discover your destination. This summer we stayed in a midcentury modern villa 5 minutes
from my parents home in Stockholm, in a remodeled farm house on the cliffs in Bretagne and in the most
and discover your destination. This summer we stayed in a midcentury modern villa 5 minutes
from my parents home in Stockholm, in a remodeled farm house on the cliffs in Bretagne and in the most
magical old world castle in Normandy – all thanks so AirBnB.
2.) Be candid.
If You own more than one lens. Try to go long. Think 85mm, 100mm, 135mm
if possible (85mm is my fav) or pull out the zoom.
You can stay somewhat far away, take a step back, and let the moments happen without your instructions and them noticing you and the camera.
Tip. Research local beaches and lakes. Its so easy to just stick to the swimspot closest to where
You are staying. And You’d never even know theres the most white sand magical kid friendly beach 20min
You are staying. And You’d never even know theres the most white sand magical kid friendly beach 20min
away. I try to research before we get to our destination and always go with whatever is really
kid friendly. The kids love exploring new spots and is nice to have some variation during Your vacay.
3.) Don’t have unrealistic expectations.
Have you been dragging the kids around The Louvre all day?
Waiting in endless lines and its 110 degrees outside? You are exhausted. And Your kids are as well.
Sometimes it’s better to just drop it and leave the kiddos alone.
Waiting in endless lines and its 110 degrees outside? You are exhausted. And Your kids are as well.
Sometimes it’s better to just drop it and leave the kiddos alone.
Even if You have always dreamed of a photo in this park or on that carousel… If it won’t happen, thats totally fine.
My daughter got stung by a bee waiting in line for a nutella crepe before we were
supposed to go on Le Carrousel De La Tour Eiffel. Yeah, we never made it on that carousel.
Instead she cried all night until we made it back to the hotel.
My daughter got stung by a bee waiting in line for a nutella crepe before we were
supposed to go on Le Carrousel De La Tour Eiffel. Yeah, we never made it on that carousel.
Instead she cried all night until we made it back to the hotel.
Tip. If You’re headed to Paris. Make sure You purchase Eiffel Tower tickets beforehand.
You find all the info needed on their website. You pick a day and time and can literally skip
every single line, huge time saver! The day we went there were thousands and thousands of people
waiting in line to buy tickets. Ugh. This also works for other locations. Look online for special
deals and ticket deals to museums and local attractions and skip the lines.
You find all the info needed on their website. You pick a day and time and can literally skip
every single line, huge time saver! The day we went there were thousands and thousands of people
waiting in line to buy tickets. Ugh. This also works for other locations. Look online for special
deals and ticket deals to museums and local attractions and skip the lines.
4.) Tell a story.
Sit back and let the story unveil itself. Never tell Your kids what to do or where
to look. I would never ask my kids to say cheeeese (cheese is for crackers!). I don’t mind
setting up the ‘scene’ if I have something specific in mind (magical golden sunset photos obviously
needs a magical sunset, on a beach haha) and thats about how far I’ll take it as far as orchestrating
the set up.
to look. I would never ask my kids to say cheeeese (cheese is for crackers!). I don’t mind
setting up the ‘scene’ if I have something specific in mind (magical golden sunset photos obviously
needs a magical sunset, on a beach haha) and thats about how far I’ll take it as far as orchestrating
the set up.
5.) And last but not least. Get in the photo!
Don’t forget to include Yourself in Your kids childhood memories. Hand over the camera and make sure You don’t
stay behind the camera all summer long.
stay behind the camera all summer long.
Tip. Pack ONE nice set of outfits for everyone. Wherever we go – be it across the ocean, or a weekend getaway. I pack up one set of outfits I’d like to have family photos taken in. Sometimes it works out and we’ll get a full family photo one night. Other times I only get a few of the kids together or perhaps only some of my 9yr old daughter (the only one who somewhat enjoys having her photo taken haha). I also invested in a tripod and a remote, but I rarely use it.
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