I've worked for the 'Theories and Practices', they have a great team, I really believe in them. I worked with 'Afisha' as a photographer, photo editor and a producer. It was difficult, but very interesting. Periodically, I take photos for different sites, but it happens not very often, because at the moment I'm focused on one very important project.
I have photographed since I was a child but I've never even thought about it as a profession. I studied to be a mathematician and I thought that I would work as some programmer or a financial analyst. Then my parents gave me a new camera and said with a sigh that it would be never used. But it happened in the completely different way — I began to shoot more and more, thanks to series of random events, I found myself in a magazine, and then there are other orders.
In any profession, there are three very difficult moments. The first one is to understand the task that you set, and solve it, and not to bring work with words 'I see it this way' or 'I feel so'. Very often when you work not for yourself, just do what you have to do. Sometimes, your vision and ideas in general are not wanted. The second point — when you solve the problem, but do it just in your own style. If you were asked to photograph the fence — the fence must be photographed, but it should be done in a way you think it would be right. The main thing is to remember about the fence. And there is a third moment — when you've set a task for yourself, making your own project. It is very important to understand what you are doing and why. To be able to explain every little detail. Or at least subconsciously feel it. This awareness is necessary, and it comes with time and experience.
The main joy in work is precisely at this moment, in this 'Why'. When you see a relationship when you realize that you do not just 'Taking pictures of your friend' but solve the problem, change something, affect on something. This is true happiness for a professional in any field.