Photographic passions tend to grow with time...if you find ways to keep the creative fires burning and stay profitable! That's what Roger Williams, CPP, of Tranquility Art Photography in Springfield, Illinois, discovered when he opened his studio nine years ago. His studio was the culmination of his lifelong love of photography, and he's kept it growing ever since with his expanding product lines.

Making a Business out of a Passion
Roger remembers buying his first camera, a Canon AT-1, with the paychecks earned from his first job as a kid. Still, it wasn't until his own children were grown that he felt he was at a point in life where he could finally open that studio.

"When I started, I never would have guessed that it was this difficult to run a photography business. However, that is also what makes it rewarding," Roger says. "Plus, I had always wanted to have my own business, and this was a way to do it while satisfying a need."

With hard work and education, Roger turned his love into a solid business. For example, one way he has found success is by capitalizing on the resurgence of 1940s-style glamour and boudoir photography. He'll even be teaching a Super Monday class on the subject in Illinois this October!

While his glamour and boudoir photography is important, Roger still shoots many different types of photography. He believes in expanding product lines and simply enjoys the "variety of doing it all." As he says, "I don't want to be labeled as the baby photographer or a 'whatever photographer.'"

In fact, adding new product lines--from glamour and boudoir to destination weddings--has helped his business grow, so you might want to pay attention to his upcoming class!

Glamming Up Your Business at Super Monday
If you want to add glamour and boudoir photography to your product lines, don't miss Roger's "1940s Glamour & Boudoir" Super Monday class on October 24 in Springfield, Illinois. Attendees will learn tips for lighting this style, as well as how to advertise and brand it. You'll even be able to photograph a model to get in some practice during an afternoon photo shoot...and a second daylong photo shoot the following day!

So, get ready to expand your product offerings and attend Williams' Super Monday class this fall.

Learn more about Roger's class and browse more Super Monday classes in more locations at www.ppa.com/education-events/sm_new.php. Read more about Roger Williams here.

Super Monday is an educational program sponsored by PPA every spring and fall. These daylong, interactive workshops are conducted in locations around the country, allowing PPA members to earn merits for sharing their craft and enabling all photographers to learn new skills and develop professional networking contacts.

ALL IMAGES © ROGER WILLIAMS