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Tam Lan Truong
August 24, 2023
EPISODE 33

TAM LAN TRUONG
Tam Lan Truong, a multilingual McGill University graduate, is a self-taught professional photographer specializing in classical musicians. He gained knowledge from mentors like his father and piano professor Rita Jans. His impressive portfolio includes work with Opera de Montreal and internationally acclaimed artists.
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GUEST ARTIST

Tam Lan Truong is a professional photographer of classical musicians and a graduate of the  Desautels Faculty of Management of McGill University. He is also multilingual; He speaks  English, French, Vietnamese, and German fluently. 

Though he never went through formal photography training, he had the fortune of meeting great mentors. His father passed on his cinematography knowledge from his years at the  Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography. His piano professor Rita Jans taught him to relentlessly hunt for perfection. His high school music teacher Hans Georg Hinderberger showed him that music is passion and joy, and it’s everywhere. 

After finishing his high school diploma in Germany, Tam Lan moved to Montreal, where he took a year to explore, joining a comedy dance troupe, and a Broadway choir, among other things. His professional photography journey started when the photos he took for the choir landed him a gig with Opera McGill at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University. From there, things progressed quickly as he photographed Schulich’s concerts, events, and students and built an impressive portfolio.  

Over the last few years, Tam Lan has accumulated a respectable list of regular clients, among them Opera de Montreal, Concours Musical International de Montreal, Schulich School of  Music of McGill University, and CBC Music. He has immortalized internationally renowned artists with his camera, such as pianist Lang Lang, New Zealand soprano Dame Kiri Te  Kanawa, soprano Dame Felicity Lott, and Acadian soprano Suzie LeBlanc, among others. A highly versatile and talented photographer, Tam is equally as comfortable at events of great cultural and corporate significance as he is in his studio. And when it comes to music, his artist's soul becomes one with his camera. 

For Tam, photography is a way of communicating, immortalizing the most precious moments, and harmonizing beauty and spontaneity.

Episode Description

Tam Lan Truong, a McGill University Desautels Faculty of Management graduate, is a multilingual professional photographer specializing in classical musicians. Despite no formal photography training, he gained invaluable knowledge from mentors like his father, a cinematographer, and Rita Jans, his piano professor. After moving to Montreal, his photography journey kicked off with Opera McGill, quickly expanding to include Schulich School of Music at McGill University and prestigious clients like Opera de Montreal and CBC Music. Tam Lan has captured internationally renowned artists and excels in both cultural and corporate events. His photography is a medium for preserving precious moments and merging beauty with spontaneity.


Takeaways
  1. Photography goes beyond technical skills; it requires genuine passion and interest in the subjects you capture.
  2. Focus on the aspects of everyday life that truly captivate you, as they will shape your photography style.
  3. While preparation is important, it is equally crucial to embrace spontaneity and let go of control during a shoot.
  4. Building connections with clients involves understanding their vision, engaging in meaningful conversations, and creating a comfortable environment to capture their essence.
  5. Trial and error is a valuable learning process in photography, allowing for growth and continual improvement.
  6. Self-learning, research, and exposure to inspiring work contribute to the development of photography skills.
  7. We are our own best teachers and learn at our own pace when we are ready.
  8. Genuine connections with clients and the community lead to recommendations and long-term relationships.
  9. Organic marketing, based on trust and a sense of community, plays a vital role in photography.
  10. Creating a positive and enjoyable experience during a photoshoot is crucial for capturing genuine moments, as people remember how they feel.
  11. Embrace both artistry and business aspects for success.
  12. Know your audience and market your work accordingly.
  13. Adapt to the digital age while staying true to your artistic vision.
  14. Embrace new experiences and learn from failures.
  15. Persistence is key to building a successful creative career.
  16. Be open to trying new things and accepting initial shortcomings.


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What’s Next?!

Thank you for supporting this show by listening and sharing with your friends. If you liked this podcast, please rate and write a review of how this show has helped you. This will help us be able to increase our visibility nationally and in being able to make an impact on the profession.
If you would like to hear more about any specific topics, please email us at ⁠info@themoderartistproject.com⁠. I would love to help support your community in all artistic disciplines.

Kristine Dizon
The Modern Artist Project

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