Today we’d like to introduce you to Mikaela Hawkins.
Hi Mikaela, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I didn’t plan to become a photographer — I just followed what felt good. I’ve always been obsessed with beauty, light, movement, and women. I started shooting film because I wanted to remember how something actually felt, not just what it looked like.
Over time, my camera became a way to connect — to places, to people, to myself. I see the world a little differently with a camera in my hands and I like it that way. I’ve photographed women all over the world in jungles, oceans, deserts, cities — always looking for the moment of softness, power, and magic. I like things that are dreamy, a little wild, imperfect, and full of soul.
Now, I work mostly mostly on film and super 8, documenting women and the way we move, express, feel, and exist in the world. It’s less about “posing” and more about being — about intimacy, play, aliveness, and trust. That’s what got me here. And I’m still figuring it out as I go.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Many, many struggles. The path of an artist isn’t easy. I’ve traded comfort, structure, and stability for freedom, adventure, and the chance to keep opening myself to my art.
There have been tears. Confusion. Cameras stolen. A lot of wondering what am I doing? — and where do I fit? (Definitely not in the commercial world.) I’ve faced heartbreak, deep personal growth, questions around love, home, and my body. It’s been anything but smooth — but it’s been honest.
This path constantly asks me to keep showing up with an open heart. And while it’s not easy, it’s always worth it.
there is nothing else I want to be doing 🙂
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I shoot film, mostly working with women — women who are drawn to my work, my spirit, the freedom and femininity I express. My photography is intimate, earthy, wild, and real. But honestly, what people connect with most isn’t just the photos — it’s the way I see the world.
I’ve walked through a lot: trauma, neglect, deep personal struggles. I’ve had to create my own healing, my own beauty, my own path in the storms. And I think what makes my work powerful is that it’s an extension of that journey. My camera is just one tool — but what I bring is presence, heart, and a deep knowing of what it means to feel.
I specialize in film photography and feminine embodiment. My work often features nature, softness, strength, and soul. I’m known for freedom — in the way I shoot, in the way I live, and in what I evoke.
What I’m most proud of? Honestly — myself. I am my greatest work of art. The fact that I’ve kept going, kept loving, kept dreaming — that I haven’t hardened my heart — that’s everything. What sets me apart is that I don’t try to be like anyone else. I’m just me. And I think people can feel that.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
With AI and tech evolving so fast, there’s a lot of uncertainty about where art and photography are headed. But to me, nothing can ever replace real human connection — the way we see, feel, and relate to the world and each other. The imperfections, the intuition, the soul — that’s where the gold lives.
Honestly, I don’t really consider myself part of “the industry.” I make art because it’s what I love. It’s what makes sense it me in this wild , noisy world. I think the future will split — some people diving deeper into tech, others returning to the earth, slowness, and intimacy. Maybe those two paths find a way to meet. Maybe not. Either way, I trust my own.
I try not to overthink the future. I just stay rooted in what’s true for me — and create from there.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mikaelahawkins.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikaelaalien/
