For more than four decades, Al Lewek has been working in photography.

He began running a business out of his house in 1969. And after two years in a studio in Lombard, he opened his shop in 1978 in Glen Ellyn at 507 Pennsylvania Ave., where he remains today.

Last weekend Lewek celebrated his 30th year of business with an open house. Days before he answered questions about his studio and why he chose to open it in Glen Ellyn.

Q When did you realize photography was your calling?

A I started with learning photography as a hobby in high school at St. Francis High School in Wheaton back in the mid-’60s. As luck would have it, I found a job with a camera shop in Yorktown Shopping Center in high school. … After seeing how much fun the customers were having, I decided to learn how to become a photographer and take pictures rather than just sell the equipment. And that’s what led me to own my studio.

Q What sets your store apart?

A Basically we are, were and continue to be a very traditional-style photography studio offering traditional services. I’m the only one here, basically, and we offer all the traditional services such as wedding photography, children, and family photography and commercial photography.

We offer all the traditional services rather than specializing in just one. New people today want to specialize in one thing — only wedding photography or children’s photography — and I still offer all the traditional things.

Q What convinced you to open a store in Glen Ellyn?

A I was looking for a better market for my products and services, and I wanted a downtown traditional, family-type atmosphere. That’s why I looked in Glen Ellyn.

Q What has been the biggest challenge about coping with the evolution of photography from film to digital?

A The first thing would be the learning curve, learning to transfer what you knew in traditional photography to digital.

The second challenge is paying for it. … As a full studio it cost me about $40,000 to (buy and install the new equipment) in a year’s time.

Q What is your favorite Glen Ellyn annual tradition?

A Being a member of the Glen Ellyn Rotary Club for almost 20 years, our annual citrus sale. It happens each fall, at this time of year.

The Rotarians get out and we sell grapefruit and oranges, and it’s all to benefit the polio eradication program.