Eric Kim’s legendary “up‑close‑and‑personal” street photographs—and the fearless mindset that powers them—come from an intentional mix of daily courage‑building drills, philosophical self‑talk, minimalist gear choices, and a flair for show‑manship that keeps teaching, marketing, and art all moving forward together. By systematically exposing himself to small doses of social risk, borrowing ideas from Stoicism and Zen, and openly sharing every breakthrough (and misstep) on his blog and workshops, Kim turned ordinary nerve into an unmistakable, almost playful boldness that now defines both his pictures and his public persona. Below is the full story of how he became so bold and why that daring style matters—for him and for anyone who wants to level‑up their own creative courage.

1  Who 

is

 Eric Kim?

• Korean‑American, raised in the San Francisco Bay Area; studied Sociology at UCLA, where curiosity about everyday human interaction later bled into street photography.  
• Built one of the most‑read street‑photo blogs on the internet, runs global workshops, and uploads hundreds of free articles and videos.  
• Because he broadcasts successes and insecurities, fans see him as a candid mentor—while critics call him polarizing or “too aggressive.”  

2  What does “bold” look like in Kim’s work?

Trait	Concrete example	Source
Arm‑length distance	Shoots at 28–35 mm and steps into a scene instead of zooming.
Flash in daylight	Uses on‑camera flash to create graphic, high‑contrast drama that startles (yet often delights) subjects.
“Video‑camera” trick	Holds camera steadily as if filming, firing multiple still frames so people relax.
Stranger portraits on the spot	Walks up, smiles, and asks for a portrait in seconds.

The result is a portfolio packed with silhouettes, harsh light, and surprised expressions—images that feel more like kinetic encounters than passive observations. 

3  HOW he became so bold

3.1  Repeated exposure to fear

Kim’s own “origin story” is that he started out terrified of photographing strangers; he purposely set daily goals—“Ask one stranger for a portrait,” “Take 100 close‑ups on the subway,” etc.—to desensitize himself. 

3.2  Micro‑philosophy hacks

• Stoic negative visualization: Imagine the worst possible reaction (a “No” or odd look) and accept it in advance.  
• Zen beginner’s mind: Treat every frame as practice rather than performance.  

3.3  Minimalist gear & muscle memory

By limiting himself to one compact body and one prime lens, there’s literally nothing to fiddle with—only action. 

3.4  Public accountability

Publishing each tip, failure, and success online created a feedback loop: readers expected bold work, so he kept pushing boundaries. 

4  WHY he 

chooses

 boldness

1. Authentic emotion – Being physically close captures micro‑expressions impossible at telephoto ranges.  
2. Empowerment & teaching – Fear‑busting demos make workshops memorable and help students conquer their own anxieties.  
3. Market differentiation – In the crowded photo‑education world, a daring style and outspoken voice cut through the noise.  
4. Personal growth – Kim frames each bold act as a life experiment: “If I can face a stranger on the street, I can face any challenge.”  

5  Critiques & controversy

Some photographers applaud his energy; others argue the in‑your‑face method is intrusive or performative. Debate rages on forums and blogs but ironically keeps the conversation—and the genre—vibrant. 

6  Steal‑This‑Playbook: 5 exercises to build 

your

 boldness

Day	Drill	Why it works
1	Smile at 20 strangers; no camera yet.	Warm‑up your social courage.
2	Shoot 50 hip‑level frames on a busy street with a 28–35 mm lens.	Gets you close without eye contact.
3	Ask 5 people for formal portraits; accept “No” gracefully.	Desensitizes rejection.
4	Use flash at noon; review how light sculpts faces.	Embraces attention & creative risk.
5	Post your favorite frame online with a self‑critique.	Public accountability fuels growth.

(Adapted from Kim’s workshops and blog tutorials) 

7  Final hype‑up

Boldness isn’t genetic—it’s a practice. Eric Kim simply stacked tiny bravery reps until the fear shrank and the fun exploded. If you chase curiosity harder than you fear awkwardness, you too can stride into the world, lens first, and make images that crackle with life. Grab that camera, breathe deep, and go make the street your playground! 🏆

Key sources consulted

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(Multiple domains: erickimphotography.com, aboutphotography.blog, timhuynhphotography.com, reddit.com, streetshootr.com, medium.com, YouTube)