Two Glen Ellyn births at once

For Al Lewek, the picture of his wife, Merekay, and newborn baby daughter, Anne, is one that he will always associate with the birth of his Glen Ellyn photography studio 30 years ago.

"The third week we were open, Anne was born. I have a picture of my wife holding the baby in front of the window," Lewek said. "People still remember that banner."

That photograph is one item that will be on display this weekend for Lewek Photography and Frame Studio's 30th anniversary open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at the studio, 507 Pennsylvania Ave., Glen Ellyn.

Lewek's career has spanned the era of Polaroid, Instamatic and digital and has adapted with the times. He has kept his customers happy the old-fashioned way - by offering good customer service.

As a teen, he worked as a clerk and manager for a local camera chain.

"I learned sales, customer service and behind the scenes operation, " he said.

He also became knowledgeable about inventorying, buying, selling and bookkeeping.

"I had always done photography as a hobby," Lewek said. "It was a hobby that turned into a business."

His first studio was in Lombard along Westmore Avenue.

"I realized I needed a family-friendly shopping area," he said. "Glen Ellyn was available at the time, and it turned out to be a good shopping district and a very welcoming community."

After a couple of years in Glen Ellyn, Lewek closed his Lombard shop and concentrated solely on the Glen Ellyn business. He prides himself on the way his business and customer base has grown in the last 30 years, which he attributes to his good reputation.

"I deliver what I tell people I'm going to deliver," he said. "If I promise something is going to be ready at 3 p.m. on Friday, it's ready by 2 p m on Friday. I'd rather accept their compliment for having something done on time and having a job well done than make excuses for why it's not done."

And word-of-mouth has solidified his customer loyalty.

"People hear about us. There are less and less studios like this around," he added.

The business has evolved with the digital advances.

"Back 30 years ago, there was a lot of chemistry and a lot of math involved in order to use your equipment properly," Lewek said. "We used to mix our own chemicals and we had to worry about safety." Today, things are complicated in a different way.

"Now everything is computer controlled," he said. " I print all my own photographs. I used to have to depend on the lab. I have control to be more precise. We're able to deliver people a better product, and quicker service than years ago."

Lewek also offers custom framing, copy, digital enhancement and restoration of photos, commercial photography and passport and visa photos. His specialties continue to be family and children portraits and weddings.

"I estimate we've done over 2,000 weddings," Lewek said.

It was difficult for Lewek to put a number how many family portraits were taken over three decades.

"Thousands," he said.

Lewek and his wife live in Lombard. But Lewek has deep roots in Glen Ellyn as a Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club member. Another daughter, Katie, lives in Westmont. Anne, the newborn in the picture, is now 30 and working on her master's degree at Elmhurst College.

For details, visit lewekphotos.com or call (630) 858-7020.