Photo Service

On January 30, 1937, Joseph-Henry Savard and Simonne Desautels became owners of Studio Rivoli, a black and white photographic laboratory located on Saint-Denis Street in Montreal. In 1945, they moved their business to the current Photo Service address located on rue Notre-Dame Ouest in Old Montreal. A few years later Photo Service already employs nearly a hundred people offering retail, repair, laboratory and photography school services. 

After the sudden death of Joseph-Henry in 1961, Simonne continued to manage the business with the help of her three children. With competition intensifying, Photo Service is concentrating its activities in the retail, commercial and institutional sectors. During this period, Monique Savard, “Mademoiselle Savard”, managed the company and twenty years later, her brother Pierre-Henri Savard succeeded her. In 2000 Jean-Charles Savard, son of Pierre-Henri, began the complete renovation of the store and introduced a mini digital laboratory. His sister, Mireille Savard, will ensure complete management of the laboratory. Photo Service is a dynamic family business that favors the purchasing experience that only a specialized store can offer. 

We derive our satisfaction from offering you practical and energizing expertise, whether for your professional development or your personal passion in photography.

With us, every customer who enters the store feels confident and benefits from the largest pool of photo expertise in Quebec. In fact, several of the employees have been with the company for many years. Who hasn't already done business with Jean-Yves, Serge or Jean-Charles to name only the seniors? This is a bit why professionals, semi-professionals and amateurs have adopted our store. In addition to a relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere, our customers can be sure to find answers to their questions whatever their level of expertise.

Obviously, our customers appreciate having people who can serve them at all times. Always with the aim of meeting the requirements of a clientele with diverse needs, we have been investing, for several years now, in the rental of photo, studio and digital equipment. It should also be noted that we have the enviable reputation of stocking the largest selection of professional refrigerated films in store. Our primary ambition is to be a professional resource so that everyone can have a good time with us. Welcome to our home, you have been part of the family… since 1937!

Foto Source is a group of professional experts in the photography market; dedicated and eager to deliver the highest level of satisfaction to its customers, by offering them the highest caliber of service and by being the industry leader in photographic products, through purchases planned and effective group activities combined with creative marketing. Foto Source currently has member stores from coast to coast. This allows you to benefit from the same friendly expertise across the country.

Foto Source began life in the late 1970s as IPPD (Independent Professional Photo Dealers). As the group grew, the name was changed in 1994 to Foto Source. This allowed us to add a marketing component to our purchasing power – a formidable combination that allowed us to experience exceptional growth.

Foto Source Canada inc. is among the largest photography marketing groups in Canada. The stores are owned by independent business people from the local market they serve. Photo Service joined Foto Source in 2002 and has been a member of the group's board of directors since 2004.