Life & Work with Michael & Leia Barreiro of Lake Forest

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael & Leia Barreiro.

Hi Michael & Leia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
We are Michael and Leia, and we’re wedding and brand photographers and videographers based in Orange County. We met and started dating while studying at San Diego State University, where we were both on the path to becoming healthcare professionals. During our relationship, we discovered a shared love for storytelling through photo and video—making travel videos and capturing everyday moments just for fun. One summer, we began documenting our adventures together, and that passion quietly started growing into something more.

After graduating with degrees in healthcare and working in hospitals throughout the pandemic, we continued building our business on weekends. In 2021, we took the leap and left our jobs to pursue Madlovemedia full time.

Over the past four years, we’ve had the privilege of documenting love stories for incredible couples all over California and beyond, as well as collaborating with a wide range of brands. We are endlessly grateful to every couple who has trusted us to capture their wedding day—it’s truly an honor to witness such meaningful moments and be chosen as the ones to preserve them.

We also feel incredibly lucky to partner with brands that are doing work we believe in—helping them tell their stories through intentional, heartfelt content that resonates with their audience. Whether it’s a wedding day or a brand shoot, we’re passionate about creating with purpose and capturing the heart of every story.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Aside from the ongoing challenge of standing out in a highly saturated wedding content creation space, one of our biggest hurdles came in 2024 while working at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival. During the event, one of our camera bags was stolen—containing nearly $18,000 worth of videography gear, including footage we had just captured for a brand. We were devastated—not just by the financial loss, but by the emotional toll of losing work we had poured so much care and effort into.

In that moment of uncertainty, we honestly didn’t know how we would recover. But what happened next still gives us chills to this day. Our community—fellow photographers, past couples, friends, family, even members of the city of Indio—rallied around us in the most unexpected and beautiful way. Through donations, shared posts, words of encouragement, and so much love, we were able to raise close to $15,000 to help us replace our gear and continue doing what we love.

It was one of the hardest experiences we’ve gone through as small business owners, but it reminded us just how powerful community can be. We’ll never forget the people who showed up for us during that time.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At Madlovemedia, we’re not just photographers and videographers—we’re storytellers, memory preservers, and creative partners. Whether we’re documenting a wedding day or collaborating with a brand, our approach is always deeply personal and intentional.

With every couple we work with, we become more than just vendors—we become friends who walk with you through the journey of wedding planning. Our goal is to make you feel confident, cared for, and truly celebrated. Every photo we take and every film we create is handcrafted to your story, from the music and visuals, to the words and emotions that define your day. We believe in crafting timeless work that will live on as part of your legacy—photos you’ll show your grandkids one day, films that let you hear the voices of your loved ones, let you relive every meaningful moment.

With brands, our passion lies in helping you communicate your vision in a way that feels authentic and emotionally resonant. We take time to understand your values and what makes your business special so we can craft content that truly reflects who you are and connects with your audience. Whether it’s a campaign, event coverage, or lifestyle branding, our goal is to create visuals that not only look beautiful, but feel aligned with your story and mission.

In everything we do, we lead with intention and heart. We pour ourselves fully into each project because we know how meaningful these moments—and these stories—really are. We’re endlessly grateful to the couples and brands who trust us to bring their vision to life, and it’s that trust that continues to inspire why we love what we do.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
One of the most meaningful lessons we’ve learned came in 2024, when we got married ourselves. Experiencing a wedding day from the other side gave us a whole new perspective on how deeply personal every single detail is. From the flowers to the music, everything is handpicked with love, intention, and meaning. We found ourselves putting so much thought into the little things, and it reminded us that every couple does the same. It made us even more passionate about capturing the full picture of a wedding day—not just the big, emotional moments, but the quiet, subtle details that often go unnoticed but mean everything.

Overall, the biggest lesson has been to stay grounded in the why. In such a fast-paced, visual-driven industry, it’s easy to get caught up in trends. But instead of chasing what’s popular, we’ve learned to stay true to our voice—to create work that feels genuine, organic, and deeply meaningful. When we focus on capturing what’s real, the work naturally resonates more. This in turn has allowed us to lead every project with intention and heart, and that mindset continues to shape us as creatives, business owners, and as a married couple building this dream together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.madlovefilms.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madlovemedia_/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@madlovemedia

Image Credits
Kristine & Charles (Photographers who took some of the photos we’ve provided)