Hello everyone!
My name is Pasha Fedorov.I live in town in Russia called Lipetsk.
Five years ago, a story happened to me. I came across the opportunity to participate in the “street view trusted” program and become a google photographer.
I Filed an application, passed the test, received an invitation to participate in an online conference and and it all started.A few weeks later I took the post I received the necessary equipment for shooting, which I ordered from Hungary.
Ever since then my favorite activity - long walks around the city has acquired a new meaning. I actively began add different places on google-maps, accompanying all with the information including virtual tours.Then I was a 25-year-old videographer cameraman then on a local small television channel, where the salary constantly forced me to think about additional earnings.
I received from the owner of a climbing equipment store, the first earnings for publishing on google maps with the shooting of a virtual tour,
And my remuneration was equal to the my salary on the TV channel.
I come from a poor family, from relatives
and the only relative i have got left is my mother and at that time I lived with her
After the first and successful try to earn extra money for shooting and publishing on google maps, I realized that it was my chance to change my life for the better and quit the TV channel to deal exclusively with filming virtual tours.
Since then, day after day I began to wander around the city peeking into which I found interesting.
At that time, in our city google-maps were empty, many business owners did not think how important it was to add information about themselves to the maps.
Because that, the city seemed lifeless and empty.
But thanks to communication with the owners of organisations, the situation began to gradually improve. I went to various institutions and talked with business owners.
I told the leaders how important it whos for them to place информейшен about the business on Google maps and shoot a virtual tour.
My interlocutors were usually mature, smart people, promoting their business, and I had to work hard on myself so as not to be nervous in the conversation and convey information confidently. Luckily most of them agreed and I filmed my virtual tours for google maps. Each shooting and publication is more than a mechanical process for me.
It is magic! A few hours ago completely unfamiliar people let me in the most interesting places of the city, were glad to see me and after that we became friends for many years.
At that time I had no idea how long my friendship with the project would last.
I just lived through the shooting, and each new publication has been a great adventure for me, wich I was looking for longingly.At any time of the day, in any weather, I was ready to go field work for publication.
Under a heavy rain, I was returning from the of the new paintball club on the hottest day of the year I shot a huge leisure base, and at cold snowy night, I photographed on a mountain ski resort.
Once I happened to shoot a virtual tour on the river Voronechz which divides our city. We sailind to the most magnificent places. Of course, I also marked them on the map.
One day, I was invited to take a balloon flit over the city to film a virtual tour and place information on google maps. It was something that I did not even dream of.
I visited thousands of places, talked with thousands of interesting people, made a lot of friends , earned some and even started help my mother a little, all thanks to program “Local Guides programme”.
Now I am 30 years old, I live with май my girlfriend in my own apartment in a good district in the city of Lipetsk.
I’m happy thanks to the « Local Guides program.»
My life has changed dramatically and will never be the same again.
I can say with confidence that the " Local Guides program" - is the best and greatest adventure in my life.
I know that there are a huge number of local experts and photographers who have experienced the most unusual adventures and visited the most fantastic places.
It would be cool to shake their hands.
Thank you for the opportunity to receive my portion of happiness.
*I want to express special thanks to my coordinator Maria Rotar. It is thanks to her guidance I had succeded.