Makayla Wheeler

Super pumped to share my new reel for 2025! What a journey it’s been over these past couple years! I feel honored and humbled with every frame I’ve gotten to shoot so far and every story I’ve had the honor of telling… • • Impact and inspiration drawn from nature have always infused everything I do, now I’m excited to open up my horizons, knowing I’ll always be especially drawn to stories of conservation, destination and human inspiration. • • In a world transformed by AI, I still believe the most powerful work with the deepest impact is shot by humans, of humans and for humans and I try to root my cinematography in a sense of vérité. So thankful for all the wonderful people I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with - you truly make the journey joyous! #lifestyledp #femalecinematographer #underwatercinematography #showreel #documentarydirector #dronecinematography #cinematography

I’m super excited to share that I’m officially diving fully into #freelance as a #cinematographer and #director! 🎥 • • So how is this different from what I’ve been doing? Well for over 7 years, I’ve run MGW Productions, it’s truly been an incredible privilege that allowed me to work in a variety of ways: managing a production company, collaborating directly with clients, and telling stories that matter. • • But today, I’m courageously stepping into a new chapter…one that more fully honors my love for being behind the camera and working alongside other rad creatives. A path where I feel like I can more fully be myself while serving others. In short: I’m a lifestyle DP who lights up underwater and is inspired by directing the human experience. • • Don’t worry, I can still handle full productions when needed. But my focus is now shifting toward working with agencies, production companies, and directly with brands and non-profits’ internal marketing teams. • • Over the past several months, I’ve been leveling up my skills, rebranding my website, and reshaping not just my work, but also my mindset. And today, I’m excited to finally share my new site, simply: Makayla Wheeler. • • I’ll be sharing more of my work and focus soon, but for now, I’d love to invite you along on this journey whether as a creative partner, collaborator, or friend. I invite you to check out the new website as well (link in bio). • • A special shoutout to my coach @morton.works for pushing and supporting me in this transition, and to @sunshinestylekatie for capturing these photos of me as well as my mom @fl_kimstagram for your love and support. And to everyone who has encouraged me along the way…you know who you are. Thank you! 🫶🏼🩵 #femalefilmmaker #underwatercinematography #destinationmarketing #documentarydirector #commercialdp

So excited to finally get to share this film - a true passion project based off a serendipitous experience. 🦩 • • One cold February morning, I set off with kayak in the back of my car to find an illusive flock of flamingos I had heard they were hanging out up at the MI wildlife refuge. What began as almost a disappointing day when I didn’t see the flamingos in sight, ended up becoming a beautiful and rewarding one after paddling around the backside of the island and seeing the whole flock taking naps together. Then, I ended up meeting wildlife sculptor and painter @geoffreysmithart , and we got to talking about his work. 🎨 • Fun fact: we waited an hour and a half almost for these flamingos to wake up since they all had their heads tucked in and it didn’t make for a great and aesthetic picture. In that time idea for this film was born…🎥 • • While flamingos have long stood as an iconic symbol of Florida, few remain in the wild within the state. When a small flock appears in Central Florida, believed to be displaced by a recent hurricane, their presence creates wonder and excitement. This moving portrait film explores their colorful return through the eyes of celebrated environmental artist Geoffrey Smith, whose sculptures and paintings seek to rekindle our connection to nature, both in the flamingos and beyond. #femalefilmmaker #wildlifecinematography #keepfloridawild #wildflamingos #wildlifesculptor

Branded sponsor content on the @discgolfprotour collaborating with @anthemdiscgolf1 . Here’s some of my fav frames edited my me. 🎞️🌲🌳 Something about working with outdoor light and athletes that keeps it so fun and dynamic☀️👟 #diskgolf #brandedcontent #outdoorcinematography #femalecinematographer #vessishoes

Sharing some of my favorite moments from a recent shoot working with The NY Times T Brand Studio and Princess Cruises on a brand story for Star Princess. So grateful to have worked with @izfilmzz and @jakebut.mov on this one along with director @spicybearbk , and the rest of an incredible crew and talent! 🎥 • Some of my favorite moments included shooting off the back of a ski lift in Roatan…(something about shooting in precarious situations that make it so much fun 🐒), sunrise over Guanaja, discovering hot pot for the first time and going off the beaten path in Cozumel! This will be one to remember! 🌅 📸Special BTS pics by: @spicybearbk #destinationshooting #femalecinematographer #destinationcontent #caribbean #roatan #cozumel #brandfilmmaker

I’ve waited a long time to share this special project - almost a year since conception! After meeting Geoffrey while out in the field, I knew I had to do a documentary about his work tying in the wild flamingos that we have been fortunate to see more recently within Central Florida. 🦩 • • Many people do not realize that there literally used to be thousands of these birds just a few centuries ago, and yet through a variety of circumstances they have all but been wiped out, despite being widely represented in pop culture as Florida’s state bird. Through a unique set of factors a small flock reappeared in Central Florida over the past year or so. • • This moving portrait piece tells the story of these birds through wildlife sculptor and painter, Geoffrey Smith as he tells the forgotten stories of the wild. • • I am so honored to share that the film has been selected into @floridaenvirofilmfest @centralfloridafilmfestival @loveyourshorts so far! If you’d like to check out the film here are the showing details for several of the upcoming film festivals. We’d love for you to join us! 🎥 Central Florida Film Festival: January 23-25, 2026 🎥 Love Your Shorts Film Festival: February 12-15, 2026 Director + DP: @mgwpro #wildflamingo #femaledirector #wildlifecinematography #wildlifesculptor #florida

2025…you were quite the year! And I can honestly say it has been the single most year of growth that I’ve had, filled with challenges, community, overcoming obstacles, pushing myself and a whole lot of perseverance. I’m ending this year with more enthusiasm and passion for my craft and excitement for all the people I’ve met along the way. 🎥 2025 has blasted open the doors to collaboration in ways I’ve not experienced yet, and pushed me to new horizons. • • Here’s a few of my favorite little behind-the-scenes moments with people I got to meet, people who made it possible and people who encouraged me along the way, as well as, moments and the hard work that went into the transition from MGW Productions to Makayla as full freelance cinematographer/director AND maybe…just maybe…a sneak peak of what’s ahead at the very end! 😉🏝️ • 2026…I’m ready for ya, let’s do this! 🎉

No, I’m not sharing any of my work today, but rather a glimpse into what keeps me inspired and fired up in my creative pursuits - adventure. • • Getting out of my comfort zone, tramping a mile through pathless forest swamp to find an unknown spring and we were rewarded with the most incredible find! This year it’s felt harder sometimes for a variety of reasons to connect with the adventurous side of myself. Free diving specifically I took a bit of a break from, after someone I knew passed away while freediving, but getting back out there and being able to stay well within my limits while exploring something so untouched felt really good. • • Moments like this help fuel my creative journey and pursuits and I am grateful for experiences like this I can hold forever! Also this has been one of my favorite songs recently so it felt fitting. Thankful for good friends like @branjake who make it possible! #femalecinematographer #freediving #femaledirector #underwatercinematography

Sharing some of my favorite frames from my recent work with the @beautifullyflawedfoundation • I really wanted to approach this with a feminine eye capturing candid + authentic moments of the life change that happens at this retreat. From this perspective, I knew I wanted to have moments of film included - nothing beats the notalgia of it. I decided to shoot on a Minolta MC Rokkor vintage lens and also worked with @johnwstambaugh Fake 8 Film Lab to turn these into some well loved nostalgic frames that looked like genuine film. • Secondly, this was documentary style and it was super important to preserve the authenticity of the experience to be as minimal and intrusive as possible. • I live for those candid moments and really enjoyed getting to work with natural light. Walking into a space to shoot an interview and working with the available elements of light and backdrop is definitely thrilling and challenging all at the same time, but I felt really proud of all that we were able to accomplish while preserving the experience of this retreat. • Swipe to the end for 2 clips with audio - very touching 🫶🏼🔈 #femalefilmmaker #beautifullyflawedretreat #surffilm #nonprofitdocumentary #super8mm #cinematography

Earlier this summer, I really wanted to push the boundaries and broaden my horizons visually playing with motion and energy as well as feature a female runner for an athletic piece. There was no other choice but @ericaweitzruns for this project…her energy is so contagious! I was fortunate to get to collaborate with @fluffyhag1 on this one to bring the creative vision to life! • • We were also fortunate enough to find the perfect brand to tag up with @wear_hettas - a brand that is pushing the limits of women’s footwear both in research, design and testing creating running shoes specifically designed for the female athlete. • • From a creative perspective, Dan (as director) and me (as DP) worked to create new and different visuals by experimenting with motion, vintage lenses and also working with the @readyrig . It was important to me that this have a unique different look and stylized feel! • • So grateful for our team that brought this piece to life in such a unique way! Here’s some fun BTS as well as some of my favorite frames! 🎞️👟 Talent: @ericaweitzruns Director: @fluffyhag1 Producer: @pantojamask DP: @mgwpro First AC: @krystal_alexandria #athleticcommercial #femaledp #wearhettas #lifestylecontent

Always here to support female-owned brands, especially one like @wear_hettas - pushing the boundaries of women’s athletics with running shoes designed specifically for women. 👟✨ They sent me a pair, and I’m obsessed! Grateful to be part of a project like this, brought to life by Makayla Wheeler and Daniel Hagler @mgwpro @fluffyhag1 …and I absolutely love how it turned out! And that’s why I run. 💪🏃‍♀️

This past week, I had the incredible honor of flying out to Del Mar, California to document the Beautifully Flawed Retreat 2025. For those of you who may not know, the retreat was founded by friends of Bethany Hamilton over 10+ years ago for girls who have experienced limb difference or loss for a variety of reasons. • • What a life giving event for these young ladies…their stories of grit and overcoming incredible difficulties, and their insanely positive attitudes were so impactful and contagious…they touched me deeply. To see them get to meet Bethany was just the coolest! • • This was such a full circle God-story for me, I’ve looked up to Bethany as a role model since I was in 7th grade at least, and found great inspiration in her documentary film Unstoppable both personally and creatively, so having this opportunity was truly a gift from God. • • Thank you @mattkatsolis for thinking of me and putting the puzzle pieces together, to @katieancheta for trusting me with the vision, to @kevin_rogers for the rad BTS photos and to the whole @beautifullyflawedfoundation board, staff and volunteers! I can’t wait to work on the final piece and make something so special! 🌸💦