Portuguese Culture: Slow Meals & Long Goodbyes ft. Mathias Explores | Algarve Addicts | S3 • 05

Thumbnail image credits to Mathias: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ4QjYMjAjW/ Connect with Mathias Explores:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mathias.explores/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mathiasexplores Meet Mathias Fernandes, the photographer behind Mathias Explores and the guy who earned the nickname "The Algarve Guy" for knowing all the best spots along Portugal's southern coast. With 80k Instagram followers, Mathias has built a thriving photography and videography business capturing the landscapes he calls home. Mathias shares how a simple trip to the Azores with his mom sparked a photography journey that went from casual hobby to full career. Through consistency and sharing his work on social media, opportunities naturally evolved into client work. We talk about how Instagram growth has changed over the years, why he's shifting focus to YouTube for deeper storytelling, and what keeps the Algarve fresh after shooting it for nearly a decade. But this conversation goes beyond photography. Mathias reflects on what makes Portuguese culture special, from the slow pace of meals to the 20-minute goodbye rituals with family. He explains why quality of life here beats the hustle culture elsewhere and why even after traveling the world for work, he always comes back grateful to live in the Algarve. Perfect for aspiring photographers building a business, content creators navigating social media changes, digital nomads considering Portugal, or anyone curious about what slow living actually looks like in practice. Chapters00:00 Introduction: The Algarve Guy00:24 How He Got That Nickname01:35 Photography Started on a Trip to the Azores02:41 From Action Cam to Full Frame Cameras04:04 When Hobby Became Career05:40 Growing on Instagram: Then vs Now08:04 80k Followers and Staying Inspired36:29 What He Tells People About Living Here38:22 The Portuguese Way: Slow Meals and Long Goodbyes41:16 What's Next: Focusing on YouTube43:38 Connecting With Fishermen in Ferragudo ➣ CONTACT US for relocation assistanceGet on a free discovery call and we can outline how we can work with you.https://www.algarveaddicts.com/contact Check out our Instagram https://instagram.com/algarveaddicts - we'd love to connect with you there!