A woman sitting on the ground outside, kissing a young boy standing next to her. Two other boys are close by; one is being held on an adult's back and the other is smiling at the camera, holding a bottle. The scene is in a backyard with outdoor furniture and plants.

FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY IN MADISON, WISCONSIN

Real moments artfully captured for real families.

Documenting the simple, messy, ordinary moments that don’t feel special until time makes them so… mornings around the house, the way they fit perfectly in your arms.

You think you’ll remember, but life moves fast.

A boy riding a blue bicycle in a backyard with chickens, and a young girl standing nearby.
Family sitting together on the hallway floor, engaging in conversation.
a newborn resting peacefully in a crib with starry themed bedding, their tiny feet being documented beautifully by a New Braunfels newborn photographer, known for creating timeless keepsakes for families in New Braunfels, Tx.

HONEST
UNPOSED
CONNECTIVE
NOSTALGIC
ARTFUL
CANDID

an expecting mother sitting by a window, gently petting her golden retriever while holding her baby bump. This intimate scene captures the warmth of a growing family, beautifully documented by a New Braunfels maternity photographer.

FOR THE FAMILIES WHO CHOOSE REAL OVER PERFECT ANY DAY—

(BECAUSE IN THE END, YOU HAVE EACH OTHER, AND THAT’S WORTH REMEMBERING.)

“​We loved our session with Madison. She was amazing at directing us while still letting our kids be themselves. Her ability to turn 'spirited' energy into gorgeous, candid photos is a gift! We couldn't be happier with the final gallery.” -Annie W.

A woman walking on a grassy path in front of a rustic wooden house surrounded by trees.
Welcome Friend -   
A woman holding a toddler on a bed, looking out the window with their older child sitting besidethem.

I’m a lifestyle photographer based in Madison, Wisconsin.

I’m also a knitter, thrifter, and wife to my favorite person. My husband and I moved from Texas to Wisconsin, knowing no one but each other, and we’ve built a quiet, beautiful little life here.

Growing up in a loud, close-knit family taught me to see the beauty in real, imperfect moments, the laughter, the chaos… That’s what photography is for me: a way to slow down and preserve the fleeting, everyday magic that often moves too quickly to keep.

I’M MADISON

As featured in:

Unscripted Posing App

A woman and a young girl in white dresses on a farmyard with chickens and a small chicken coop.
Person stretching or reaching up inside a room near a window with blinds, sunlight coming through, and a vase of white flowers on a table.
Black silhouette of a dog's head with the word 'Madison's' written in blue script across the neck.
Child lying on bed with arm and hand near mouth, sunlight coming through window in Madison, Wisconsin

PORTFOLIO

A woman in a red checkered dress sitting on the grass, holding a young boy, likely her son, who is wearing a white shirt, in a park or open field during daylight in Madison, Wisconsin
Colorful magnetic letters and numbers on a checkered tablecloth, with a mug and a person's arm in the background.
A pregnant mother stands in a field, cradling their belly under a clear blue sky with mountains in the background, capturing the essence of expert family and maternity photography in New Braunfels, TX by Madison Kachelmeier.
A family of four with a young girl and a toddler on a horse in a grassy field under a large tree, with sunlight filtering through the branches.

FAQs

  • After you submit your inquiry form (here), I’ll send over my welcome guide to help you get familiar with my work and services. Once we sign the contract and secure your retainer, we’re ready to enter planning mode!

    During this time, I am almost always available via text! We’ll discuss activities for the session and location options. We can also go over outfit choices if this is a stressor!

    The day of your session, you should feel totally at ease and ready to love on your babies as I work in the background to document the day.

    From there, I’ll take your pictures home with me, work my magic, and have them back to you in 2-3 weeks! Voila!

  • My packages start at $650, visit pricing for full investment guide!

    But simply said, if you’re searching for the lowest price, I may not be the right fit — and that’s okay. I pour an incredible amount of time, care, and intention into every session. From planning and prep to shooting and carefully editing each image, I’m focused on creating photographs that feel meaningful and tell your story beautifully. My pricing reflects the time, experience, and attention that go into delivering work I’m proud of.

  • I would recommend booking about 2-3 months in advance, especially if you’re hoping to book on a weekend or during busy seasons (Summer + Fall).

    My schedule fills up quickly these days, so the earlier you book, the more likely we’ll find the perfect time for your session! You can inquire here.

  • Yes of course! I’m pretty flexible with payment plans, just inquire and we can talk about what best suits you!

  • Absolutely!

    One of the most common things I hear when someone inquires is, “We’re not photogenic,” or “We’re going to be so awkward.” And I promise, you’re not alone.

    While it may seem like it all should happen organically, most of the photos you love actually begin with a little (or a lot of) direction.

    Think of it this way, your final gallery might be 20% true candid, in-between moments… but the other 80% is still posed, just in a way that feels natural.

  • Absolutely! My session fee covers any travel 30 miles from my home in Madison, Wisconsin. Wanting me to travel further than that? Reach out to chat about travel pricing!

    Alternatively, families across Wisconsin come to me for photos that feel like their real life, so if you’d like to skip the travel fee and are up for a little adventure, you’re more than welcome to bring your crew to me!

  • Bad weather is bound to happen at some point. If the weather isn’t looking great, we can always reschedule to a later date that works for both of us. I usually make the final call the night before or morning of, since the weather can be so unpredictable.

  • That is totally okay!

    During your session we will follow your kids’ lead, so no forced posing. Instead, we’ll play, cuddle, and take snack breaks all on their timeline. The way I see it, if kids feel like their cup has been filled up during out time together, their joy naturally extends to everyone else, creating images filled with real feelings, real laughter and all that good good.

    If it makes you feel any better, I’ve seen it all and I’ve yet to come across kids that are too ‘rowdy’ for beautiful family photos.

  • Let's be real… babies are unpredictable AF. Luckily our session is 100% flexible!! As long as you keep me in the loop, I should be able to accommodate you and your newborn whether they’re one week early/late, or even a few weeks early/late!

MATERNITY, NEWBORN + FAMILY PHOTOS

“If You Don't Think Photos Are Important, Wait Until They're All You Have Left” - Missy M.