Galas
Gala and ball photographer in Montreal
A gala photographer your guests enjoy.
I'm Tam Lan Truong, a Montreal photographer of galas and classical concerts. Since 2016 I've photographed galas, balls and benefit evenings for organizations like the Orchestre Métropolitain, the Opéra de Montréal and the CMIM. Your sponsors, co-chairs and guests are all photographed, and 15 to 20 edited photos are in your inbox by 11 a.m. the next morning.
Tell me about your eveningSee gala galleriesTrusted by
Orchestre Métropolitain · Opéra de Montréal · CMIM · Orchestre classique de Montréal · Viennese Ball of Montreal
Why organizations book me
Benefit evenings are most of what I shoot. These are the reasons the same organizations ask me back.
A photographer who knows the music.
I studied piano for six years and I've photographed hundreds of concerts. I know when to move during a performance and when to stay still, so your artists and your audience aren't distracted.
Trusted with your patrons.
The Opéra de Montréal and the CMIM have had me in rooms with their biggest donors for years. Guests relax, and sponsors get photos they're happy to share.
Flattering light, not harsh flash.
What people remember from bad gala photos is harsh flash and white glare on their glasses. I shape the light to each situation, with the care I'd take in a portrait session. I use one flash: bounced off a wall for soft light and clear glasses, off the ceiling for a group, or direct when the moment calls for it. I work it out while I'm talking with your guests, so nobody waits.
Ready when the plan changes.
You deal with me directly, in English or in French. When one client sent a new photo plan the afternoon of the event, the photos still went out that night.
"Tam is a real pro; he even manages to make ME look good. Honestly, not only do I trust him with my public image, but he also covers most of our high-end events. He gets it, and he's a charm to work with, putting your guests at ease and engaging with them in a fun and respectful way."
What's included
- Coverage from the cocktail to the last speech
- Your photo plan, followed through the evening: sponsors, co-chairs, VIPs, tables
- My own lighting, for flattering, natural-looking photos
- Quiet, well-timed coverage during performances
- 15 to 20 edited photos by 11 a.m. the next morning
- The full edited gallery in 7 to 10 days, in a private online gallery
- Use for your press release, website, social media and sponsor reports
- In English or in French, directly with me
Gala coverage from $1,600 + tax
Up to five hours, with the next-morning photos included. Your quote depends on the length of the evening, the guest count and any add-ons. I reply within one business day.
Get a quote
What you can add
If you'd like more from the evening, you can add any of these.
Red carpet
Arrival photos in front of your step-and-repeat, lit and directed, so every guest and sponsor gets a sharp photo to share. A photographer from my team runs it with my lighting, and I edit every photo myself.
Formal portraits
A lit portrait station in a corner of the room for couples, sponsors or debutantes, with direction so everyone looks at ease.
A second photographer
Recommended above 120 guests, or when the cocktail and your VIPs need covering at the same time. It's the same team that shoots the OM and Opéra galas with me, and I edit their photos myself.
See full galleries
Each one opens the full gallery from the evening.
Orchestre Métropolitain benefit galaArsenal, 2024View the gallery
Opéra de Montréal Nessun DormaBenefit dinner, 2026View the gallery
CMIM soirée-bénéficeRitz-Carlton Montréal, 2026View the gallery
ICAV 20th anniversaryBenefit cocktail, 2024View the gallery
OM au pied du mont RoyalOpen-air concert for tens of thousands, 2026View the galleryWhat clients say
4.9 stars from more than 50 reviews on Google.
"Top quality, 100% dependable and a joy to work with."
Thomas Leslie, Macdonald Stewart Foundation"He managed to capture the excitement and vitality of our attendees. His composition, attention to lighting and his crowd management skills and humor were all very beneficial to the final product."
Alex Bernet, GALA Conference, Montreal"High profile donors and sponsors loved his energy and his work."
Dina Barghout, former Director of Sponsorships, Marketing and Communications, CMIM"He captured the essence of the events beautifully, with rich colors and the perfect highlights of each moment."
Natalia Pérez Rodríguez, ICAVWho I shoot for
- Orchestre Métropolitain: benefit gala and the open-air concert at Mount Royal
- Opéra de Montréal: Gala Talent every year since 2020, receptions and opening nights since 2019
- CMIM: soirée-bénéfice since 2016
- Orchestre classique de Montréal: benefit evening
- Viennese Ball of Montreal: formal portraits and the evening
Venues include the Ritz-Carlton Montréal, the Bell Centre, the Maison symphonique and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
Any size of evening, from 40 guests at the Ritz-Carlton to a large-scale soirée at the Bell Centre.
Questions people ask
How do we book?
Send me your date and venue and I'll confirm my availability within one business day. I'm happy to hold the date while you settle the details. A short agreement and a deposit confirm the booking, and the balance is invoiced after the evening.
How much does a gala cost?
Gala coverage starts at $1,600 + tax for up to five hours, with the next-morning photos included. The final quote depends on the length of the evening, the guest count, and whether you add a second photographer, formal portraits or red-carpet photos. Tell me about your evening and I'll send you a quote.
Can we send you a photo plan?
Yes, please do. A list of the people and moments that matter is enough. If it changes on the day, send me the new version.
When do we receive the photos?
15 to 20 edited photos by 11 a.m. the next morning, and the full gallery in 7 to 10 days. If you have a fixed deadline, like a board meeting or a sponsor report, tell me and I'll plan around it.
How do we receive them?
In a private online gallery. You can download the photos and share the link with your team, your sponsors and your guests.
Who can use the photos?
You can. They are yours to use for your press release, your website, your social media and your sponsor reports.
Do you do red carpet or step-and-repeat photos?
Yes. A photographer from my team sets up lit, directed arrival photos in front of your sponsor wall, so every guest and partner gets a sharp photo to share. I edit them myself.
Do you also do video?
I photograph and I don't film. If your evening needs video, I can bring in one of the videographers I know and trust.
How many photographers does our evening need?
For most evenings, one. I recommend a second photographer above 120 guests, or when the cocktail and your VIPs need covering at the same time. I'll tell you what I'd suggest once I know your run of show.
Planning a gala or a ball?
Tell me the date, the venue and the guest count, and I'd be happy to talk it through with you. I reply by email within one business day, with my availability and a quote.
