Learn Hardcore Russian: Моя сестра занимается фотографией и хочет стать фотографом. - My sister is into photography and wants to become a photographer.

In Russian, the verb заниматься is used to indicate an activity or area of involvement, and it always takes its object in the instrumental case. Here, фотографией (photography) is in the instrumental case to show that the sister is actively involved in the field of photography.

What is the difference between фотографией and фотографом, given that both are in the instrumental case?

Although both nouns appear in the instrumental case due to the verbs that govern them, their meanings are distinct. Фотография refers to the field or art of photography, while фотограф means a person who practices photography. The first is used with заниматься (to engage in an activity), and the second is used with стать (to become) to denote a future professional role.

Why is the subject Моя сестра mentioned only once, even though the sentence has two predicates?

The sentence employs a compound predicate where the same subject, Моя сестра, is linked to two verbs by the conjunction и (and). In Russian, it is common and grammatically acceptable to omit repeating the subject when it applies equally to both clauses.

Why is стать followed by a noun in the instrumental case in хочет стать фотографом?

In Russian, when expressing a change of state or profession with the verb стать (to become), the new role is indicated by the noun in the instrumental case. Thus, фотографом shows the role or profession the sister aspires to, emphasizing the transformation she wants to undergo.

Is a comma required before и in this sentence, or is its absence acceptable?

No comma is required before и in this sentence. Since both predicates share the same subject and are closely linked, Russian punctuation rules allow the conjunction to connect them directly without a comma.