What is my favourite (new) Montreal photo location ?
Friends….. I’ve searched many a spot across the Island, and I can say with confidence that there isn’t a field I haven’t walked through looking for a 5-star location to bring my couples. I have searched the entire shoreline looking for the perfect beach to set up and shoot at. I have snooped along every fence looking for a way into some premium private real estate, just hoping I’ll find the new spot that will keep me busy all summer with adventure session photoshoots with newly engaged lovers. I have walked 1000 miles friends, and I’ll walk 1000 more. But now… just recently, I came across a spot I truly do think has all the right stuff to be a contender for best new spot of 2026. It ain’t downtown or in the Old Port either, thank god. This session will go down as one of my all time fav adventure sessions.
What makes a location a great photo location?
You want a location that has it all, specifically space (nice big open wide areas, and also tighter areas separated by tall grass, trees, or structures), a nice view of the sunset, some type of large structure on it for variety (ideally one you can climb), and some lighter and darker areas of ground nearby. Personally, a location doesn’t have to hit you in the face with beauty, or wildness, or anything initially obvious, but a great location has several things to offer depending on the time of day it is. This shoot was shot around late evening while the sun was setting,, which was 6:30-7:30pm in early September. We had a good while of hot sun, very low in the sky, which quickly fell behind trees, giving us that late evening glow in the sky, mixed with long streaks and patches of hot orange sunlight. The light is great, perfect actually.
Everything matters in a location, because ideally you want the real-life elements on site to help tell a story. This tall, random, round-ish structure reminds me of some old radio tower once used to communicate secret messages out to who knows where… It’s weird, it’s retro, it’s cool, and I tried to include it in as many photos as possible.
So you found a great location.. now what?
Ahhh yes, the age-old question… now what? I ask myself this all the time. The answer? It depends :) It depends on your couple, it depends on what it is you want to photograph, and it depends on how much time you have before the sun goes down. I can only speak for myself when I say what I would do depends on the energy I get from my couple, because some people will climb mountains, and others want you to do all the heavy lifting and direct them endlessly. The critcial first steps in both cases are for another story. Like the saying goes, “if you don’t use it you’ll lose it” is true. You have to make the most of the time you’re there, and that’s it.
Sometimes great locations are found by accident. I love shooting near my apartment in Verdun, and the thing about great locations is that very often you’ll find amazing little spots or views or angles within a very short distance of your favourite location. Look at this sign with this message spray-painted on it. It’s crazy that it’s just here along the beach.
Whenever possible, keep it jazzy and use new locations :)
When planning your next shoot, do yourself a favor and keep it interesting: find a new location that’s perfect for your couple. That shoot might just make it to your featured weddings list. They’ll appreciate it, you’ll be hyped to shoot there, and all will be well my friend. You have to keep in fun, new, and cool if you to keep that passion a passion and not a job. Getting out there and exploring new areas, new neighbourhoods, new highways, getting lost and spending 30 minutes finding your way back only to come across another awesome spot to shoot at, is what being a photographer is all about. Stay curious friends ~
Ps. Here are a few more frames from my session last week ~
