Home
Between Coastline and Camera: How Arsen Finds His Roots in Schwerin
Arsen Kodra’s journey begins in northern Greece – between Thessaloniki, Chalkidiki, and Mount Olympus, where he spends two summers working at a campsite. It’s a time shaped by encounters, nature, and creative impulses. There, he not only discovers his passion for moving images, but also forms a special connection: he meets his future wife, who is originally from Schwerin.
For a year, they travel between countries and cultures. Eventually, they decide to build a life together and start a family in Germany.
From the Greek coast to the shores of Lake Schwerin: when Arsen follows his partner to Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, he brings three things with him – his camera, a longing for creative independence, and the hope for a fresh start. “I barely knew the city,” he says with a laugh. “But I knew I needed a place where I could build something of my own.”
Thus, moving to Germany means more than changing locations – it marks the beginning of a new chapter, with a new language and unfamiliar surroundings. Arsen speaks three languages fluently, but German isn’t one of them yet. This challenge still accompanies him today and shapes his creative approach: when words fall short, he lets his images speak.
Today, Arsen lives in Schwerin with his wife and their daughter. He works as a freelance videographer – calm, focused, and with a keen eye for stories that unfold through visuals.
Freelance Videographer in Schwerin – With Focus and Flexibility
Arsen has been working as a freelance videographer for about a month. That means he offers his creative services independently and autonomously – without a business license. As a result, freelancing allows him to respond flexibly to projects, shape his work individually, and communicate directly with clients.
What excites him most, however, is the variety in his daily routine. On some days, he carries 20 kilograms of camera gear through the city; on others, he edits videos over breakfast with his family – a creative freedom that thrives on movement and intimacy.
Without startup capital or a local network, but with a clear goal and creative energy, Arsen shows that self-employment is more than just an economic status. Rather, it’s an expression of freedom, trust, and self-realization.
Indeed, his founding story proves that passion and perseverance sometimes write better business plans – and that with images, you don’t just tell stories, you begin new chapters.
From First Camera to Creative Entrepreneurship
The camera is never far from Arsen. Back in 2016, he shoots his first video in Greece. “A local business asked me if I could make a short video,” recalls the 36-year-old. “I had no idea what I was doing – but it just clicked.” What begins as a spontaneous project soon grows into a hobby, and eventually a side job. “It didn’t take long for me to realize: this is my thing. I see images before they even exist.”
Years later, when Arsen moves to Germany to begin a new chapter as a Videographer in Schwerin, it’s immediately clear that he doesn’t want to let go of this creative tool. Arsen begins. The answer unfolds step by step, driven by a clear goal: to work independently and stay true to himself. “I didn’t want to apply somewhere,” he explains. “I wanted to show what I can do – and turn it into something real.”
“There’s no such thing as the perfect moment – you have to create it yourself.”
– Arsen Kodra, freelance videographer in Schwerin
Videographer in Schwerin – Step by Step to Expertise, Without a Roadmap
No business plan, no coach, no startup budget – just a clear idea in mind. “I wanted to work, be visible, and create something of my own,” says Arsen. “What I didn’t know, I taught myself.”
Instead of getting lost in paperwork and startup forms, he dives deep into self-research: “I spent hours watching tutorials, comparing prices, analyzing examples – and built my own system from scratch.”
His advantage? A trained eye. “I analyzed light, styles, and trends – that comes from my background in graphic design. Most of the time, I already know what the video will look like just by checking out the location.”
Becoming Visible – Through Camera and Trust
To land his first projects, Arsen doesn’t rely on advertising – he relies on presence. “I just started filming. Free of charge, but with intention,” he explains. His early work ranges from small cafés to local entrepreneurs – all with one goal: to build a portfolio that speaks for itself.
His approach is simple: show, don’t pitch. “I knew that quality would spread by word of mouth – but first, I had to make it visible.” And it pays off. Through a personal recommendation, he lands his first major client: "Pommesfreunde", a nationwide food chain in Germany. “Suddenly, I was in Munich, right in the middle of a shoot. That really motivated me.”
A Creative Base with Vision: Putting Down Roots as a Videographer in Schwerin
Many of Arsen’s clients come from across Germany – yet Schwerin remains his creative anchor. The proximity to nature inspires him, and the calm surroundings help him stay focused. At the same time, he increasingly sees potential in the regional media and film scene, which is slowly but steadily evolving. “There are so many creative people here and space for ideas to grow,” Arsen believes.
It’s exactly this space the 36-year-old now wants to cultivate further. He’s thinking bigger – but not broader for the sake of it. His next goal: a short film of his own. No client brief, no compromises – just his vision, told through images.
At the same time, Arsen hopes to build a small team in Schwerin. People who, like him, are passionate about storytelling and eager to create something new together. “I want to tell stories that last – together with others.”
Founder’s Insight: Opportunities arise when you take the first step
“There’s no such thing as the perfect moment – you have to create it yourself.” This sentence captures what Arsen has experienced: that self-employment doesn’t require perfect timing, but the willingness to begin. “I had neither capital nor a network,” he says. “But I had a clear idea of what I wanted to do.”
Especially in the early stages, he realizes how crucial movement is – not perfect conditions. “I’ve learned that you shouldn’t wait for the right moment. Clarity comes through action. Often, the real idea only emerges along the way.”
His message to anyone considering a creative path to self-employment: don’t hesitate – start. “You grow with every project. Even if things don’t work out right away – if you stick with it, uncertainty eventually turns into confidence.”
Contact:
Arsen Kodra
Photographer - Videographer - Editor
Schwerin
telephone: 0173 4089236
e-mail: arsenis.kodra@gmail.com
https://vimeo.com/arsenkodra
Facebook
Instagram
Ready to tell your own story?
Arsen has shown: starting a business doesn’t mean knowing everything — it means being willing to learn everything. Even without startup capital or the perfect environment, you can make yourself visible in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Do you have an idea? A passion you want to share? The courage to simply begin?
Then don’t wait for the perfect moment — create it yourself.
Start your journey into self-employment today.
