Montreal Wedding Photographer, Sonia Bourdon
There’s a moment during every wedding that Sonia Bourdon waits for. It might be a quiet glance between partners before the ceremony, a father reaching for his daughter’s hand, or a tear that appears when no one else is watching. These are the moments she lives to capture—not just because they’re beautiful, but because they matter.
Before she ever picked up a camera professionally, Sonia was studying theatre and literature, drawn to the tension, emotion, and nuance of human storytelling. That same narrative instinct is what guides her work today as a documentary wedding photographer based in Montreal, Quebec. Her style is grounded in connection, artistry, and presence—creating imagery that reflects not just what a wedding looked like, but how it felt.
From the Stage to the Darkroom
Sonia’s first exposure to photography came through her mother’s camera. By sixteen, she was developing her own film in a makeshift basement darkroom, captivated by the alchemy of watching an image slowly appear. Her fascination with memory and emotion eventually led her to photography school at 23—but her creative roots were already deep. Before photography, she pursued acting and literature, all in service of one central goal: telling real, human stories.
“Those early years shaped how I see the world—through a lens of emotion, movement, and meaning,” Sonia says. “Whether it’s a scene in a play or a fleeting glance between two people, I’m always chasing the story behind the surface.”
Falling in Love With Weddings (Against All Odds)
When Sonia was first invited to second-shoot a wedding, she wasn’t sure it was for her. She’d never even attended a wedding before, and many around her warned that it wouldn’t be her thing. But that all changed the moment the couple exchanged vows.
“I remember feeling my heart skip a beat. My eyes filled with tears,” she says. “There was something so raw and beautiful about it—and I knew I wanted to feel that again.”
She photographed her first full weddings the following year and began building her portfolio with styled shoots and word-of-mouth referrals. Over time, she discovered that her theatre background, emotional intuition, and quiet presence made her uniquely suited to photographing weddings—not as an outsider, but as a trusted observer.
Her Style: Emotional, Intimate, Unscripted
Sonia describes her work as documentary, emotional, and deeply connected. She moves intuitively throughout the day, adapting her energy to match each moment: calm and observant during prep, nearly invisible during the ceremony, and full of movement once the dance floor kicks off.
“I try to capture the story from the inside out,” she says. “I’m not looking to create something artificial. I want to preserve what’s already there—authentically.”
Her go-to lens is the 35mm, which allows her to stay close and personal without feeling intrusive. She also leans into true-to-life editing: timeless, honest, and emotionally resonant.
Her Couples: Values Over Perfection
Most of Sonia’s clients find her through referrals—and that’s exactly how she likes it. “It creates a natural connection right from the start,” she explains. Her couples often share similar values: they prioritize experience over perfection, they love nature, meaningful details, and candid moments with the people they love most.
Many of her weddings take place in the Laurentians, Montreal, and the Eastern Townships—regions she knows intimately. But she’s always open to travel for the right story.
The Work Behind the Art
Like many seasoned photographers, Sonia is honest about the highs and lows of the job. Wedding photography is physically demanding, emotionally intense, and often isolating during the editing phase. But she’s learned to embrace the full rhythm of the work.
“When I’m exhausted and have a shoot in an hour, I remind myself—this is their moment. I want to honor it fully,” she says. Loud music in the car helps. So does writing during slower seasons, taking courses to evolve her business, and carving out time to be with her family.
Sonia is both a mother and a partner, and she credits her personal life with giving her a deeper appreciation for fleeting time and precious memories. “It reminds me to slow down, be present, and photograph with care.”
What’s Next
For Sonia, success isn’t about volume—it’s about balance and meaning. She wants to continue working with couples who value storytelling, intimacy, and artistry. Her goal is to grow sustainably, giving each couple her full attention while maintaining space for her own creative renewal.
In a world of trends and timelines, Sonia Bourdon’s work stands apart: honest, human, and emotionally timeless. The kind of photography that becomes heirloom—not because it’s perfect, but because it’s real.
Website: soniabourdon.com
Instagram: @soniabourdonphotographe