‘From being a worker to a photographer, I’ve loved every minute’
dubai — Ali could have been any other construction worker in Dubai but what changed the dynamics of his story was his constructive mind and positive approach in life. He is now a professional videographer/ photographer who prefers only to converse in English. It’s not the pride or showing off. Although he loves his mother tongue Urdu, speaking in English is his need as he has to interact with people of different cultures everyday in his profession.
“Observing people speak in English and reading books are the only two ways that have helped me improve my English. And that is why I mostly converse in English, to keep the practice on.”
He changed his name from Bilawal Al Mohammed Nasier Saliemi to Ali over the anger that his name was perpetually pronounced wrong in this part of the world.
Ali came to the UAE in 2006 when he was just 18. In fact, he was sent to Dubai by his family as Ali wanted to study fine arts and literature while his family thought
It was like I am on a train and it is stopping at different stations where I get out to meet different people and get back on the train.” Ali, photographer
he should study science. The conflict led them to send him to Dubai as a construction worker.
“I was lean and young, and the foreman at the company didn’t really make me do the strenuous lifting and moving the heavy stuff around. Instead, he was kind enough to give me easier work.”
This is when Ali started planning his life and set small goals for himself. “This was my chance. I realised that the next level I could aim for was to become a civil foreman. I made friends with the foreman and he taught me a bit about the construction site drawings.”
The formula that worked for Ali was that he started by setting small aims and never targeted the moon. “The good part of setting small aims is that even if you don’t achieve them, you won’t be disappointed. If I would aim too high then not achieving my goal would make me feel like a failure and I would fall in this pit of disappointment and lose faith in myself. It would make me underestimate myself.”
After eight months, Ali was made a chargehand of 10 workers and then evaluated his life again. “Next I needed to get my driving licence and within a year, I got it.”
Ali then started driving around construction vans and laundry vans before landing a job as a limousine driver, where he was required to learn English.
Ali worked on his English, read newspaper, made notes, tried speaking in English most of the times even when his roommates made fun of him. “Never even for a second did I ever feel I was in a miserable condition. I was enjoying each and every minute. It was like I am on a train and it is stopping at different stations where I get out to meet different people and get back on the train.”
Life changed
While on job, Ali met a photojournalist of international claim. “While driving him around, he obliged Ali by asking him to take a few shots from his camera, which came out well. “He told me that this showed that I had some sense or skill about taking pictures. And that became my new goal to venture in this field of photography. I bought a small camera and joined photography groups and attended workshops. Although it was just a hobby my aim was to hone my skills further.”
After investing about five years into photography, Ali started taking up assistant production jobs with photographers through networking. “I was doing it for free as it was my need but later the director of Gulf Photo Plus in Al Quoz, Mohammed Somji, sensed my passion for photography and employed me.”
Ali worked on his skills and is now a professional production assistant, videographer and photographer. He recently made a documentary titled “I was not happy” that was showcased in a film festival in Pakistan.