Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Reporter Mihrigul Nasir Correspondent Li Xueli

"Murzabak Baixianali is good in photography, and he charges low for photographing for other people. My sister and I come here to develop the film," said Nurjamal Orkan, who works at the animal husbandry and veterinary station in Akqi Township, Akqi County, northwest China’s Xinjiang, while selecting suitable frames in a photo studio on April 20, 2023. The walls of the studio hung a plenty of sample photos including baby photos, wedding photos, personal portraits and so on.

Murzabak, the one that was praised by customers, is the owner of this photo studio. An accident in his childhood cost him a hand, but the setback never made him give up on his dream.

"I majored in computer art and design in college, and after graduation, I had the idea of starting my own business, so I opened this photo studio," said Murzabak enthusiastically.

Photo shows a customer picks out picture frames in Murzabak's shop. Photo by Li Xueli

At the end of 2014, Murzabak made together 30,000 yuan on his own, applied for a petty loan of 50,000 yuan, and opened a photo studio in Chuangye Street, Akqi County. He loves what he does and he believes photography earns significance by recording ordinary and small moments in people's good lives. “With Clicks, wonderful moments of life are captured.”

In the early days of his business, his parents were very supportive. In order to hew out his own path in life, Murzabak worked as an apprentice in various photo studios in Artux City to learn photographing, and also went to Urumqi, Shenzhen, Zhengzhou and other places to learn camera use, color grading, lighting, design, business model and other content, so as to improve professional knowledge and skills. Over the years, he has never stopped going out to study once a year in the off-season.

"Nowadays, smartphones have made taking pictures rather convenient, but there is a lack of a sense of ceremony compared with taking pictures in a photo studio. Many customers still come to the studio to take portraits." Murzabek is good at management and he runs special offers on festivals every year to draw customers.

Today, this photo studio has gradually developed into a well-known local photo studio, and its business scope has gradually expanded, involving 8 categories such as wedding photography, life photography, and fine art photography.

Photo shows Murzabak Baixianali at work. Photo by Li Xueli

This year, in order to steadily expand customer base, Murzabak went to Aksu City, Wushi County and Akto County to learn about the market, innovatively launched a preferential package suitable for the public, and plans to take free ID photos for frequent guests every September.

"I also thought of giving up, but with the support of my sister, I regained my confidence again and again and carried this photo studio forward." Recalling the entrepreneurial journey over the years, Murzabak is most grateful to his sister.

"Recently, I am preparing to participate in the Shandong Province Photo Contest to learn from the big shots." Murzabak said with a smile that in the future, he will continue to equip himself with professional knowledge, improve skills, broaden the scope of business, and create a better life for himself.

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