Capturing the Cosmos—Davin Carvalho on Passion, Perspective, and Storytelling

For many creatives, their craft—whether it’s writing, painting, photography, or filmmaking—goes beyond just making a living. It’s a deeply personal way to express who they are. Capturing the night sky, for example, has broadened Davin’s perspective, especially during times of feeling stuck. “Going out there and looking up at the sky, knowing there is something much bigger than us, helps put things into perspective. There’s a whole universe out there, galaxies upon galaxies,” he reflects.

I get that feeling too. Whenever my world starts to feel small, I head to the nearest beach and gaze out at the ocean. It reminds me that I’m far bigger than the challenges I face. For Davin, this same sense of wonder inspired him to dive into astrophotography—the art of capturing the beauty of the night sky and celestial events. It’s given him something meaningful to focus on, helping him grow not just in his professional life as a photographer and videographer, but also as a person navigating life’s inevitable challenges.

Keep reading to learn how Davin’s personal experiences and passion for storytelling inspire him to guide others in sharing their own stories.

Mudra Love: How has photography helped you express your personal story?

Davin Carvalho: There are several ways that photography and videography have allowed me express my story. There’s the literal aspect of being able to capture, document, and share my story via photos and videos. For example, going out to photograph the night sky to capture a meteor shower and then share that story with an audience. But for me, using my cameras is much more than that.

"My cameras over the years have become an extension of myself. Not only are they tools for work, but they are also tools of passion."

On the one hand, they provide me with a means of building a career. However, more importantly, they allow me to capture the things that I am most passionate about and share them with the people around me.

ML: How does your personal experience with storytelling influence the way you guide clients in telling their story?

DC: Passion is a very powerful device. For myself, I’ve used the things I’m passionate about to overcome many great obstacles in my life. Understanding how powerful passion can be, I try to find what my clients are most passionate about and give them a platform with which they can radiate this passion. Having a passion is the difference between something being “ordinary”.

"When you pay extra attention to ordinary things, they begin to reveal their extraordinary nature."

This requires a sense of curiosity, but more importantly, passion. When a client is passionate about their story, their work, their product, etc., they are more likely to be well-received when sharing it with others.

I avoid imposing any restrictions and prefer asking open-ended questions that let the passion behind their work shine through. My goal is to break down the psychological barrier between me as the 'cameraman' and them as the 'subject.' I guide and coach my clients, offering suggestions, because unlike text, video leaves no room to fill in the gaps—every word, every moment matters.

ML: Can you share with us your guiding principle in your work?

DC: My goal is to be as informative and educational as possible. I enjoy sharing things that I find cool and valuable.

ML: How would you describe your role as a storyteller for Ember Media?

DC: Ember Media is extremely value-driven and mission-oriented. They're selective about the clients they work with, which means I get to shine a light on some truly amazing people who have good hearts.

"Ember Media’s passion is something I deeply connect with—it reflects how I relate to the world around me."

ML: A career in the creative field often comes with challenges like long hours, financial uncertainty, and stepping outside the norm. What has helped you navigate these obstacles?

DC: It's important to remember how much I love doing what I do. Yes, there are definitely a lot of obstacles and challenges in this career—financial uncertainty, business competition, constantly having to be relevant and fresh, amongst other things. But at the end of the day, this is what I love doing.

They say, “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” I tend to disagree. I believe that if you do what you love, you work harder than ever at it.

ML: Can you imagine pursuing any other career?

DC: I could definitely see myself pursuing other careers. I love sharing the things that I’m passionate about and love to teach people. Perhaps one day I will be a teacher or a consultant.