Pleased to meet you, I’m Simon.
Simon Patrie—Laval wedding photographer and videographer serving Greater Montreal, Lanaudière, the Laurentians, and wherever your story leads. I proudly serve clients in both English and French. Full-time photographer, videographer, and drone operator since 2022. Here is my story, told in a few chapters.
2000 · The Origins
I was 18 years old, working full-time, and used my very first paychecks to treat myself to a Nikon film camera. It rarely left my side. I photographed everything that crossed my lens without fully knowing what I was doing—driven purely by the joy of capturing moments.
In the film era, every single frame mattered: you only knew if a shot was successful once the roll was developed. I learned early on to observe deeply before pressing the shutter—to wait patiently for the right moment. That patience has remained with me ever since.
2013 · Quiet Beginnings
Studies and career took center stage in the years that followed. Then Instagram arrived, and a platform dedicated entirely to visual imagery reignited something inside me.
For a long time, however, I was too shy to show my work. The camera became my way of observing the world without needing to step into the spotlight—first with my camera, then simply with my phone, always within reach, always discreet.
That is where my style was born: observing, capturing the genuine, and never imposing.
Then I began to travel. Thailand—my very first trip—unlocked something inside me. New landscapes, new light: it gave me confidence and a desire to connect with people.
Two years later, in Peru, everything shifted. I met two Peruvian photographers who encouraged me to fully pursue the passion that had been inside me all along. Upon my return, I invested in my first professional camera setup—this time, I was all in.
2020 · Taking the Leap
By photographing every single day, my passion only grew. The more I learned, the more hungry I became to master the craft. Little by little, people began seeking out my services—and the entrepreneur within me came alive.
2021 · Discovering Weddings
Everything moved so fast. A collaborator who became a friend, and later a business partner, introduced me to the world of wedding photography. I loved every moment of it: the beauty of the day, the pure joy of the people, and creating an atmosphere where connection comes first. The realness, the emotion. I had found my place.
2022 · Taking the Full Leap
In 2022, the drive became impossible to ignore. After more than nine years in a stable career, at exactly age 40, I left it all behind to dedicate myself full-time to photography and filmmaking—and I’ve never looked back.
Today
Today, 100 weddings later, my mission remains unchanged: to stay close enough to capture every detail, yet subtle enough that you forget I’m even there.
I would love for the next chapter to be yours.
Based in Montreal, Caroline Clouâtre has collaborated with Simon Patrie for years—capturing over 30 weddings together. Her lifestyle approach gives her images a rare sense of ease and authenticity, while her deep sensitivity for love stories shines through in every frame. Guided by a spirit of adventure, she follows couples wherever their journey leads—making her a priceless asset for destination weddings.
A passionate filmmaker since childhood, Simon Meunier St-Pierre joins Simon Patrie’s team to bring your wedding films to life. His artistic eye was forged by a love for cinema, prioritizing genuine emotion over technical perfection. This gives his films a subtle “dreamy” feel—making every scene feel like a living chapter of your story rather than a static memory. Discrete and attentive, he captures the authentic and spontaneous, entirely unforced.
