The 1st Black Diamond WPJA Engagement Awards for 2026 are in!
The 1st Black Diamond Wedding Photojournalist (WPJA) Awards for Engagement Portraits for 2026 are in, and Valerie Rosen Photography has received recognition for 3 new photos from the same amazing early morning snowy engagement session! What started as an 8a.m. surprise proposal at the Kondiaronk Belvedere lookout on Mont-Royal, evolved into the sweetest, most heartwarming engagement session in and around the landmark 1930’s chalet. Check out the award-winning photos, as well as, more highlights from this beautiful surprise proposal and engagement session.
Heartwarming Chinese Tea Ceremony in Montreal
I absolutely love photographing the Jing Cha (Chinese tea ceremony ) at weddings—it’s truly one of my favourite cultural traditions to document. The intimate moments shared between family members and the deep symbolism behind each gesture make it such a meaningful experience to witness and to capture through my storytelling lens.
When Helen and Steven asked me to photograph their intimate wedding day, I couldn’t have been more honoured, knowing that the quality of how their tea ceremony would be documented was an expressed priority.
Thrilled to Announce our Latest Wedding & Engagement Photography Awards!
Super happy to share that Montreal Wedding Photographer, Valerie Rosen Photography has received two new Spotlight Awards for Wedding Photojournalism in the latest round from the Wedding Photojournalist Association(WPJA), and we couldn’t be more honoured and humbled. It goes without saying that this kind of recognition couldn’t happen without agreement from my beautiful couples to share these standout moments of their heartwarming love stories! Hope you love them as much as I did witnessing them, and capturing them! We’ve also received two new Black Diamond Awards for Engagement Portraits. Check them out, and discover a bit about the beauty of their individual love stories.
It’s Always an Honour: Two New WPJA Spotlight Awards!
We're thrilled to share that Valerie Rosen Photography has been honoured by Wedding Photojournalist Association [WPJA] with two new “Wedding Spotlight” awards. The standards for judgment are high, so we’re truly grateful. These international wedding photography recognitions celebrate our commitment to capturing authentic, heartfelt moments through artistic storytelling. Since 2016, we’ve dedicated ourselves to mindfully documenting weddings that truly reflect our clients’ unique stories. These awards inspire us to continue creating timeless images that resonate deeply with each person we have the privilege to photograph.
The Results Are In: New Spotlight Awards for Wedding Photography!
We’re absolutely thrilled to announce that Valerie Rosen Photography has received four (4) new “Spotlight Awards for Wedding Photography” by the Wedding Photojournalists Association (WPJA) and we’re so thankful! This fantastic recognition celebrates our commitment to documenting authentic, heartfelt moments with artistry and care. So much gratitude to our wonderful couples who entrust us to tell their unique wedding day stories, be it in an historical Old Montreal auberge, a private chalet in the eastern townships of Quebec, or in downtown Montreal. We continue to treasure the honour of being chosen to create these unique and timeless photojournalistic memories that you will cherish forever. Enjoy a closer look at our latest wedding photography awards!
Four New WPJA Diamond Awards for Engagement Portraits!
Valerie Rosen Photography has been recognized for Four (4) new “Diamond Awards for Engagement Portraits” by the Wedding Photojournalists Association [WPJA] and we couldn’t be more grateful! All three of these photos were created during “Discovery” photo sessions, as part of their Full Day Documentary Wedding Photography plan. These fun engagement photo sessions are an easygoing, unscripted one hour session in a location that might be meaningful to the couple, and serve as a light-hearted opportunity for us to hang out with my cameras, and discover a comfortable flow in our developing relationship of working together. By the time the wedding day rolls around, we just pick up where we left off, so they can feel supported and know they can rely on me throughout their wedding day. Thrilled to share these heartwarming images of love with you! Thanks for viewing!
Nuptials & Babies: A Love Story
Unbeknownst to Sam and Drew’s closest friends and family, the couple had already been secretly married for 2 years by civil marriage ceremony, before finally moving forward with their formal wedding day planning! Needless to say, their ceremony officiant, and dear friend, Alma would have the pleasure of informing everyone that validating the marriage by reading the usual legal texts would be unnecessary, and reveal their big secret, given that she was a witness for their civil marriage ceremony! The audience reactions were a blast to document, and a joy to capture for their memory of this special day in their love story.
WPJA Black Diamond Pre-Wedding | Engagement Photo Awards!
Valerie Rosen Photography is pleased to announce that five (5) photos have been selected by the Wedding Photojournalists Association (WPJA) for Black Diamond Awards for Pre-Wedding | Engagement photography in the latest round of awards! Each of these award-winning photos was taken during a casual engagement session that followed their surprise proposal in Montreal!
Your Documentary Wedding Photographer: Your Trusted Confidant…
When you meet with your photographer, be it in person, on a call, or any other way you connect, listening to you share some of your favourite memories and significant milestones as a couple, not only enriches the visual storytelling your photographer can capture for you, but also fosters a deeper bond between your photographer and you. This commitment to trust building in your working relationship is paramount to your mutual peace of mind.
WPJA Wedding Spotlight Awards!
Shortly after arriving in town for this stunning Carnegie Music Hall Foyer wedding, I met up with Charlotte and Karan at the hotel bar to reconnect. When I was first introduced to Charlotte’s maternal grandmother, her eyes lit up with love and pride, as she proceeded to tell me about her favourite memory of Charlotte’s character as a child. Caught this glowing candid moment under a chapel spotlight, while chatting with her husband just before the wedding ceremony procession would begin.
Engagement Portrait Awards!
Valerie Rosen Photography is an internationally awarded pre-wedding engagement photographer! The following photos have received BlackDiamond Awards for Engagement Portraits by the Wedding Photojournalists Association (WPJA)! Grateful to my amazing clients for trusting me to document these heartwarming moments in their love stories. Here are the 3 award-winning portraits, along with a few additional faves from each session.
Intimate Chalet Wedding at Domaine William Wentworth
Who would have thought that a handful of years after selling Vitor (V) a camera bag online, that we’d become industry colleagues, and he would invite me to document his intimate chalet wedding to Yaëlle (Y) at Domaine William Wentworth in Drummondville, Quebec. Little did we know upon signing the contract at the start of 2020 that Y&V would have to postpone their wedding date for 2 years while the world shut down, but finally the date had arrived, when their intimate circle of close friends and family could safely arrive from Brazil, England, and the west coast of Canada to celebrate this beautiful love story over the course of a wedding weekend reunion for the books.
Montreal Wedding at Pavillon de la Jamaïque in Early October.
To say it was an honour to document Steph and Alex’s wedding is an understatement, as these two truly epitomize the palpable joy of marrying your best friend. From the moment I met them for their fun engagement session at Parc Nature de l’Ile de la Visitation, where they swing danced and laughed and loved without a care in front of the camera, to planning final wedding day details together online, to witnessing and documenting their big day at the ever picturesque Pavillon de la Jamaïque, it was so easy to capture their deep connection.
Dear Wedding Photography Clients…
I’m back to blogging after way too long, so I thought I’d start by sharing my promise to you, a love letter of sorts, as your dedicated wedding photographer.
1) I fully commit to every couple I have the privilege to work with to ensure a truly great client experience. From our very first conversation all the way to long after your beautiful wedding day has passed, I am here for unlimited calls, texts, video calls, and emails to provide unwavering support. I genuinely enjoy staying connected with each couple as we navigate this incredible journey together.
White Claw Canada Product Launch Event at Terrasse Perche in Old Montreal
White Claw Canada recently hosted guests with a lively private event at the Terrasse Perché to introduce their latest vodka collection, and contracted Valerie Rosen Photography (moi) to document this super fun event.
Hotel William Gray’s urban oasis venue buzzed with anticipation as industry insiders, influencers, and aficionados gathered to celebrate the brand's newest creation with exclusive tastings and immersive experiences, including delectable vodka cocktails. Exuding a tropical holiday ambiance, the event provided a convivial candle lit setting to showcase the vodka collection's exceptional craftsmanship and unparalleled quality.
Chateau Ramezay Intimate Wedding
There’s something so special about the personal vibe of an intimate wedding, reserved just for your close family and your dearest friends, which is exactly how Steph and Tom decided to celebrate their special wedding day! They chose a September wedding, which in Old Montreal can be the most agreeable weather, allowing for a comfortable outdoor ceremony in Old Montreal’s historical The Château Ramezay - Historic Site and Museum of Montréal’s charming Governor’s Garden, that accommodated for a cozy seating arrangement.
I arrived early to meet Steph & Tom for portraits at the front of the venue, only to be greeted by the bride and her closest college friends, most of who’d flown into Montreal from other parts of Canada, and from abroad. This sweet occasion would serve as an overdue reunion for the girls, adding a whole other layer to how valuable this day would be remembered for all in attendance.
Have You Considered Doing a “First Look” on Your Wedding Day?
It’s common these days for couples to add a First Look or Reveal before their Wedding Ceremony to enjoy an intimate moment of revealing each other and to connect. If you’re thinking about doing a First Look, read about one couple’s reflections on their First Look experience during their Old Montreal Wedding Day, and enjoy these photo highlights for your wedding planning inspiration.
Another Perfect Marriage Proposal in Old Montreal for the Books!
Within the next week, he’d received her father’s blessing, and our planning and plotting was on, weather permitting! We agreed on Old Montreal, and then, he narrowed down to the perfect spot for the proposal vibe he wanted, and I found the best spot for me to remain out of view, with ideal afternoon light.
An Unforgettable Marriage Proposal in Montreal's Old Port!
It was a privilege and a joy to document Kinnard’s surprise marriage proposal for Sharon when they visited Montreal’s romantic Old Port, on the bridge to La Grande Roue de Montréal. I absolutely love having the honour of photographing surprise proposals! Check out these highlights and read an interview with Kinnard about their love story! Get in touch to plan yours!
Looking for a Bridal Dress that Brings You Joy?
If you’re a bride-to-be in the market for a wedding dress, I’ve got a gorgeous wedding dress recommendation for you! This beautiful bride wanted to look elegant and feel comfortable on her special day, so she chose “Joy” by Lea Ann Belter Bridal, it was just perfect! If you’re getting married in Montreal, this dress can be found within reach. Interested in chatting more about documentary wedding photography for your special day? Get in touch!