Wollongong Wedding Photographer - Illawarra & South Coast

Welcome

Existing to capture love stories of the wild hearted souls and spirited dreamers-

Love is at the core of Sole Adrift Photography. I understand that your adventure is unique to you, and my passion lies in capturing heartfelt stills that evoke warmth and emotion.

Sole Adrift Photography

Oh hey

I’m Mikaela, a tall, hopeless romantic born in the 90’s with a passion for people, photography and the rugged beauty of the South Coast of NSW.

The Illawarra is where I call home - the Wollongong escarpment and the beautiful South Coast are a photographers’ playground, however I travel all over for the opportunity to tell couples’ stories.

Drawn to natural light and the untraditional, I hold a strong belief that you don’t need a special occasion to document your love and life.

Offering wedding and elopement photography across the Illawarra, from Wollongong and the South Coast, Southern Highlands, Canberra and beyond - I’m currently available for photography bookings so get in touch now via my contact links in the sections below.

I can’t wait to meet you!

Mikaela x

“You would be doing yourself a disservice by not having Mikaela capture you and your partner. Her natural warmth and raw talent is a recipe for beauty and our pictures speak for themselves.”

 FAQs

  • I specialise in outdoor photography, although I am open to indoor shoots as well especially in the intimacy of your home. I’m a natural light based photographer so shooting in the early mornings or late afternoons yields the best results!

    I’ve created a Locations Guide for Wollongong and surrounds in case you want some prompting of ideas. Just let me know when you enquire that you’d like a copy and I’ll send it through once your deposit has been received!

  • Communication is super important to me so you’ll hear back within 24 hours! Once you’ve chosen to go ahead with the quote, I’ll shoot over an invoice and questionnaire for you to fill in. Upon a deposit being put down and date being set, we start to get creative and build on your vision!

    If you don’t see an email from me, check your junk mail- sometimes this is where they land!

  • Don’t stress, I get this all the time! It’s so normal for people to feel a bit strange having photos taken. To combat this, I always start with some icebreaker activities during our session to help warm you up and relax a little. My goal is to shoot predominantly candid photos, so I only provide gentle guidance around posing. There’s no pressure to look at the camera either, your partner only has to look at you and be present in the moment. Worst (and best) case scenario bring along a sneaky beverage if it helps take the edge off.

  • I use Lightroom Classic for all my editing.

    I aim to keep photos as close to reality as possible so only make gentle changes including basic blemish removal and skin smoothing, and altering of the colours and lighting.

    I do not edit body shape or alter facial features.

    Whilst I strive to have consistently across all my photos, this isn’t possible with so many factors at play like weather, location, timing of day etc. With this in mind, I edit photos to reflect what it FELT like to be there in the moment they were taken.

  • For wedding albums, you can expect a highlights reel within a week and your full album within 8-10 weeks.

    Turnaround time for an engagement/couples session is 2-3 weeks.

  • Download free Styling Guide

    Golden rule; be comfy.

    Whether you stay casual or go a little more formal, going with the option that makes you feel like you is best.

    Dress to the weather so you don’t end up sweating or shivering throughout the shoot, and don’t be afraid to try different layers and textures as it adds an extra element to your photos.

    Stick to a colour palette- I’ve found earthy tones tend to look great in most environments. Think browns, white, tan, beige, rust, pale green etc.

    For the ladies, anything that flows, swishes or swivels is a great prop that can add a little extra something to your photos. There’s a number of garments available in the Sole Adrift Client Wardrobe. Once you’ve booked, I can flick you through the options available to you at no extra cost.

Current Offerings

  • Couples Sessions

    Seeking a fun and laid back session to celebrate and document this season of your relationship? You’ve found your third wheel- let’s dream up your ultimate couples session together!

  • Elopements

    Planning an elopement with your lover? I offer a number of time-based elopement package options to meet your specific needs. Lets get creative as we tell your intimate love story!

  • Weddings

    Big or small, I’m here to make sure no moments get missed. I’ll be there to capture the beauty and the chaos as they unfold throughout your day. Let’s work towards your vision together!