Meet de Belle Photography: Three Decades of Documentary Storytelling in Montreal
If you’ve spent any time looking at wedding photographers in Montreal, you’ve probably come across de Belle Photography. And if you haven’t, well, you’re about to.
This isn’t your typical “we love weddings!” vendor spotlight. de Belle has been part of the Montreal wedding scene for over 30 years, photographing more than 3,000 weddings (yes, you read that right), and they’ve got some pretty thoughtful things to say about what they do and why they do it.
From 1993 to Now: How Their Approach Has Evolved
We asked how their approach today compares to when they first started, and the answer reveals a lot about their journey:
“When we first began, and I mean really began, we were still discovering our style. Over time, it evolved into this blend of fashion photography and photojournalism, which in 1993 was a bit ahead of its time, especially as the industry moved away from the formal portraiture of the 80s.”
That blend isn’t just history—it’s still the foundation of everything they do.
“Today, our core philosophy hasn’t changed: about 85% of what we capture remains rooted in storytelling, anticipating moments, being in the right place at the right time, and reading the rhythm of a day. The other 15%, the portraits, the editorials, the fashion-inspired imagery, is where the evolution truly shows. Instead of imposing a fixed ‘look,’ we adapt to our couples’ energy and vision. We act more like art directors than just photographers, bringing their ideas to life in a way that feels personal, stylish, and authentic.”
What “Preserving What Matters” Actually Means
It’s a phrase you’ll see on their website, but what does it mean in practice? Here’s how they put it:
“Every wedding tells a unique story. For us, preserving what matters means capturing the essence, the emotions, the details, the people, the connections. It’s not just about documenting the day, but about immortalizing the feeling of it.”
The Documentary-Editorial Balance
One of the most interesting things about de Belle is how they manage to make photos feel both real and elevated at the same time. When we asked how they pull that off, here’s what they said:
“The documentary style is how we naturally shoot, constantly observing, anticipating, and capturing moments as they unfold. The editorial layer comes in when we subtly guide our couples into great light, flattering environments, and beautiful compositions, then let the moment breathe naturally. That’s how we create photos that look elevated yet feel effortless. It’s one of the most common things people say about our work, ‘everything feels so natural.’ And that’s because it truly is.”
Getting to Know You
When a couple first reaches out, de Belle wants to understand more than just logistics. They explained their approach this way:
“By the time a couple reaches out, they’ve already connected with our imagery, something about the mood, the emotion, or the storytelling has resonated. From there, we want to understand who they are and what they hope to feel when they look back on their wedding. The more they share — their personalities, their vision, their priorities, the more we can tailor the experience to reflect them perfectly.”
Timeline Planning That Actually Works
After thousands of weddings, they’ve learned a thing or two about how to structure a day. Their advice?
“This one’s easy: trust us with your timeline. When couples book full-day coverage, we’re not on a timer, we’re there to tell the full story. That might mean starting at 7 a.m. or at noon, wrapping at 11 p.m. or 1 a.m. Every wedding has its own rhythm, and our goal is to protect that flow. A great timeline gives the day room to breathe, allows space for real moments, and keeps everyone relaxed and happy.”
What Still Matters After 3,000 Weddings
We had to ask: after photographing thousands of weddings, what moments still resonate?
“It has always been about the people, never the places. What makes this world so beautiful is how different, and yet how deeply connected, we all are. We’ve photographed so many cultures, and across every one of them, the same truth shines through: we all love fiercely, and we all care for one another in ways that transcend language and tradition.
Being invited into such intimate moments, to witness and document the private lives of people on one of the most meaningful days of their lives, is a privilege and an honour. So often, family and friends embrace us as we say goodbye, because for that one day, we truly become part of their story. We feel that energy and emotion with every fiber of our being, and that’s what keeps this work so deeply personal, even after all these years.”
Destination Weddings: From Tuscany to Hawaii
Their destination work spans the globe, and the experience is different from local weddings in meaningful ways:
“Destination weddings share the same philosophy, storytelling, but often over several days, which brings us even closer to the couple and their guests. We become part of the celebration. I’ll never forget a wedding in Hawaii where the groom and I ended up surfing together mid-week, that’s the kind of genuine connection that naturally makes the photos even more alive.”
The Glam Studio and Same Night Prints
These two offerings have become de Belle signatures, and both have fascinating backstories.
On Same-Night Prints: “Same-Night Prints have been part of de Belle since the 90s — back then our assistants would literally rush to the lab mid-reception to get the prints framed and ready before the night ended! Today, it’s much smoother with on-site printing, but the joy is the same: guests love seeing themselves beautifully photographed and taking home a framed memory that night.”
On the Glam Studio: “Our new Glam Studio launched in 2025 as a reinvention of the classic photobooth. It’s a full studio setup with professional lighting, direction, and instant prints — a fun, editorial-style experience that makes guests feel like they’re on a magazine set. The response has been incredible.”
Albums That Become Heirlooms
In an age where most photos live on phones and hard drives, de Belle takes a different approach to preserving your images:
“In a world where everything disappears in seconds, printed art endures. A wall print or an album becomes part of a couple’s legacy, something they can touch, revisit, and one day share with their children. Our head designer works hand-in-hand with each couple to craft layouts that reflect both our creative touch and their personality. No two albums are ever the same, each one is a work of art.”
The Next Generation Steps In
Perhaps the most exciting development is the evolution happening behind the scenes. When we asked about the future with Xavier and Enya de Belle now involved, the answer was genuinely moving:
“That’s a great question, and honestly, one I never really expected to be answering. I never planned for my kids to join the business, but I suppose after Xavier and Enya saw how much joy I found in this life, doing what I love, surrounded by creativity, people, and purpose, it was only natural for them to want to experience it too.
Now, as I find myself nearly twice the age of the average bride (and sometimes the same age as her parents!), I’m slowly stepping back from the day-to-day photography to make room for our younger generation of artists. And it feels incredibly rewarding. I’m moving into a role that focuses more on curation, business development, and technology, including the exciting world of AI, helping shape where we’re heading as a brand.
Watching Generation 2 of de Belle Photography step in fills me with pride. My goal now is to support them, guide them, and help lay the foundation for the next 30 years, and the next 3,000 weddings. These are exciting times, and I’m truly thrilled to be part of this new chapter.”
The Bottom Line
De Belle Photography isn’t trying to reinvent wedding photography every season. They’re doing what they’ve done brilliantly for three decades: showing up with intention, reading the room, capturing what matters, and creating images that’ll hold up long after trends fade.
If you’re looking for photographers who blend documentary authenticity with editorial polish, who’ve literally seen it all and still get emotional at weddings, and who treat printed art as seriously as digital files, they’re worth a conversation.
Learn more: debellephotography.com
