About
Hi, I’m Miguel
And this is Catia.
My name is Miguel Villalva and I’m the smiling fellow on the left! I’m a photographer who loves to connect with my couples. Other than that, I’m a coffee addict, documenter, traveler and a hopeless romantic. I photograph intimate and cinematic weddings and elopments with my whole heart.
On the right is my other half Cátia, my rock, and the funniest person I know. We call each other “twins” because we are so much alike. She is also an incredible Wedding Content Creator so if you want to have your wedding captured in a very natural way, contact her here.
The Curiosity of a Simple Kid
I was born and raised in Lisbon. From an early age, I was lucky to travel often with my parents, and those adventures sparked a deep love for exploring the world. At home, I was the curious kid—the one always asking “why?”. I was obsessed with documentaries, especially about animals, and I spent hours watching VHS tapes about it. My collection of animal figurines was my little universe, and The Lion King played on repeat like a personal anthem.
Growing up in a traditional Portuguese family shaped who I am today. Respect, sharing emotions openly, and the importance of love were core values in our home. Summers were a world of their own. I spent them with my grandmother in a tiny town in Sintra, where time moved slower and creativity became my playground. With little to do, I invented stories, created games, and let my imagination run free. Looking back, I realize those days were the first steps toward a life led by curiosity, emotion, and storytelling—values that would later define my path as a photographer.
That constant creative curiosity never left me. It’s what drives me to see the world with fresh eyes and to capture not just images but feelings, connections, and untold stories. This is what I can give you in your wedding day—seeking beauty in the simplest moments, embracing the unknown, and telling stories that are as real and raw as life itself.
My practical side led me to study Mechanical Engineering in Uni, a field that offered some creativity while providing the stability I thought I needed. University was transformative—not just for what I learned, but for the lifelong friendships I made. After Uni, I spent five years in the corporate world, working in auditing—a time I call my “Dark Recession.” My creativity hit rock bottom, and I felt lost. But in that darkness, a light came to me. I met my incredible girlfriend, who helped me reconnect with my passions and find the courage to change. In 2022, we decided to quit our jobs and embarked on a year of travel through Southeast Asia. The goal was to rediscover our passions, our will to live.
Years of Discovery
Meeting like-minded people and experiencing diverse cultures awakened something in me. I rediscovered my “why” and found my true passion: photography.
I love to tell the story of a wedding. The little details, the locations, and the sleeve-worn emotions represented in hundreds of photos give me the meaning I was looking for a long time. This is the way I found to express my feelings, my inner emotions and the way I see the world.
Photography isn’t just my job—it’s my passion, my purpose, and the life I love.
And then come photography
-I’m a coffee addict and a wannabe barista. If you have any tips or just want to discuss about coffee making I’m the man.
-I’ve visited 42 countries in the world, and my goal is to hit triple digits. Still a long way to go but that excited me as there are lots to see and discover.
-I consider myself a very shy person, and up until I was about 18, I had a stutter that would act when I was nervous or anxious. Luckily this disappeared, as I was able to become a more calm and assured person.
-My favourite portuguese dish is Bacalhau à Brás and my favourite international dish is Phad Kapow, a Thai dish.
-Thailand is my second home, as I have already spent in total over an year exploring it.