Hi, I'm Makita
The photographer behind MWallen Photography.
I was born and raised in the beautiful mountains of Eastern Kentucky before eventually making my way to the east coast of Florida. I first picked up a camera in 8th grade when my best friend wanted updated pictures of MySpace (yes, I know, I'm dating myself). What started as taking pictures for fun quickly became something I couldn't put down.
My senior year of high school, I was given the opportunity to join a new TV/Media Production program. I helped our school build a TV news station, learned the ins and outs of media production, and spent a lot of time photographing school games alongside classmates. By the time I graduated, I had completed a double major - and I knew photography would always be a part of me.
After high school, I attended Eastern Florida State College, earning my Associate's degree in Business Administration along with a Photography Certification. While I was in school, I started working part-time as an Executive Assistant in 2015. I knew I needed to save money toward my dream of opening up a studio someday.
That same year, I lost my best friend.
She was the reason I picked up a camera in the first place, and after losing her, photography didn't feel the same. I stepped away from it for nearly nine years, only picking up my camera occasionally.
Then Hurricane Helene hit in 2024.
Seeing the devastation and how much people had lost brought something back in me. I felt called to pick up my camera again - and this time, I realized I wanted photography to be about more than simply creating beautiful images.
I wanted it to mean something.
Why I Photograph
Growing up in Kentucky, I saw firsthand that not everyone has a lot, and professional photography could feel out of reach. That stayed with me and shaped the way I think about photography today.
Losing my best friend also changed the way I see photographs. I wish we would've had more pictures together.
I know what it's like to look at an old photograph and immediately be taken back to that moment - to remember the people, the feeling, the little details you had forgotten. That's what I want for my clients.
I don't just want you to have a picture of what your family looked like.
I want you to be able to feel the connection all over again.
Because the moments you're living today won't stay exactly as they are.
Guided. Genuine. Yours.
I know that being in front of a camera can feel uncomfortable. I've heard from clients who have had terrible experiences with photographers before, and I want to change that.
Taking pictures should be fun.
When I say my sessions are guided, I mean you don't have to figure out every little detail by yourself.
Have a couple locations in mind but aren't sure which one works best? Let's talk through what you're envisioning and how you want your images to feel so we can choose the right location together. And if you're torn between two locations because they both have meaning to your family's story - we can go to both and capture the full story.
Not sure what to wear? I've created a style guide to give you a starting point, and I'm happy to help you think through your outfit choices.
Have more images you love than what's included in your session? You can add additional images or upgrade to the full gallery so you don't have to choose between the moments that matter most.
You bring your ideas and your vision.
I'll help you turn them into an experience.
What I Value
Authentic Connection Over Perfection
You can feel the realness behind a photograph - the warmth, the chemistry, the little interactions that make your family alive. Those are the moments I want to preserve.
Perfect isn't the goal. Connection is.
Guided Experience Over Guessing
You don't hire a photographer so you can figure out how to be a photographer.
You tell me what you're looking for, how you want your images to feel, and what matters to you. From there, I'll help guide the decisions that bring your vision together.
You shouldn't have to know all the answers before you arrive.
Timeless Imagery Over Trends
Trends come and go. What looks fun and current today might make you cringe ten years from now.
But the love between you and your people?
That's timeless.
I want to create images you'll still love years from now - images that can be passed down and enjoyed by the people who come after you.
A Little More About Me
When I'm not photographing or working in HR, you'll probably find me spending time with my dog, Oreo; reading; playing video games; watching movies; drinking Starbucks; or jamming out to music.
My faith has also become an important part of my life and my photography. I was saved and later baptized on March 16, 2025, and I've been learning what it means to let that faith shape the way I live and work. I pray over each session before it happens because I believe the people and moments I'm trusted to photograph are worth being intentional about.
And ultimately, that's what I hope you feel when you work with me:
That I sincerely care.
That I'm listening to what you're envisioning.
And that I'm helping you capture what your family, your relationships, and your life look and feel like right now.
Ready to Create Something Meaningful?
I'd love to help you preserve this season of your life in a way that feels genuine to you.
Not sure where to start? I'm happy to help.
👉🏻 Get in Touch