Bashkortostan Resident: Shift Work is Not a Life Sentence

Harsh shift work and the creative profession of a photographer — for the former you need a strong character capable of withstanding overload, and for the latter — a sensitive soul to feel a lot, see a lot, and convey it to the viewer. What unites both crafts is one thing — it’s very easy to burn out. There are few people who can combine these two specialties, especially maintaining a balance so that neither sphere is neglected. But they do exist! And Rasim is that very blogger, photographer, and shift worker in one bottle. UFA1.RU asked how he manages to combine these polar professions and not abandon either craft? Below — in his own words.

To be honest, I just went to work in the profession I studied for — and that«s how I ended up on shift work. Even before that, I combined shooting with work at a factory — photography and video were always nearby, even if not my main job.

When I started shift work, I put commercial shoots on hold for a while, but didn«t give up the camera — I continued shooting, blogging, sharing travels, nature, and some moments between shifts. Over time, I realized that it was important for me to return to this craft, but with a serious approach. There were doubts, of course, about how to combine it all, but later I looked at shift work from a different angle.

Maybe I«m exaggerating, but I think it could well turn out to be true. Shift work becomes a life sentence exactly when a person stops seeing anything in life besides work, when there is no more space for oneself and development. For me, shift work is just a stage, not an endpoint. I have no goal to spend my whole life on one specialty.

It must be said that the experience of such work influenced my style in photography. Firstly, the environment itself — the North, distances, silence, a sense of isolation. In such a regime, you begin to perceive time differently and value rare pauses. I became more attentive to those details that usually go unnoticed.

And perhaps the main thing — shift work gives inner focus and discipline. This directly affects my work as a photographer and videographer — I shoot less, but more consciously. I now better understand why I need each shot.

Career Choice in the Past and the Path to Photography

Contrary to stereotypes, I do have time for creativity on shift work. Some do manage to pursue their hobbies, while others are less fortunate due to working conditions. For example, my profession is partly creative too. I work as a fitter for control and measuring instruments — it«s automation, setting up devices, replacing them. I would even say that I treat these parts like my children. After all, I once chose this specialty myself.

I wouldn«t say that in the 11th grade I was »burning« with desire to go into oil and gas. Like most graduates, it was important for me to choose a prestigious specialty that pays big money. No one in school knows what they want to be — although no, I»m lying: a whole life may not be enough to understand. I was lucky again, photography was always by my side, only it never occurred to me to study for this profession right away — a hobby as a hobby. I shot my moments on not very high-quality equipment. I grew up in a village — who would buy me anything? Later, better quality phones appeared — that«s what I photographed on and even managed to win a competition from the university!

If my memory serves me right, in the 3rd–4th year I saw that the university was holding a photo exhibition competition. On the day, I had no idea that I would be invited to the stage in the assembly hall. As the winner, I was given a training certificate, by the way, it«s still hanging in a frame at home somewhere. And that was the first signal that I wasn»t doing this for nothing, that I was noticed.

I bought my first DSLR camera when I was already a master«s student. I had just started working part-time at my first official job in my specialty. I didn»t think long about spending my first vacation money on my dream — even if it was a used camera. Dreams must come true! By the way, it«s still with me, but in my work I use an iPhone. Behind me, I have already accumulated courses in studio shooting, lighting, and client communication. The main thing, as in any business, is not to stand still and learn, otherwise you can tread water for a very long time.

Blogging and Future Plans

Now I am consciously building a transition from shift work to creativity — developing a personal brand and telling about this path on social networks. And, by the way, I don«t think my blog will »shoot« suddenly. For me, it»s not a sudden jump, but a gradual process. Now I combine shift work, shootings, and blogging, gaining experience, building an audience, and coming to my understanding of how this whole tandem can work sustainably.

If at some point creativity can completely replace shift work — then yes, I will take that step. But it is important that it be conscious, not emotional. For now, for me, shift work is part of the route, and blogging and shootings are the direction in which I am consistently moving.

I don«t conduct shootings very often yet, because my audience is small, but interested people are slowly appearing. I immediately warn them on which days I am on shift and on which I am between shifts. Because of this, clients sometimes get lost, especially if they are in a hurry. However, if I attracted attention not just as a photographer, but as a person and author, they can calmly wait for me and have a photoshoot.

Now you shouldn«t have any more excuses, do what you love and read another story about a girl who combined work as a promoter and model.