Travel Updates: My Experiences in NYC and Now Back in Berkeley!

Epic bokeh photo of me by my buddy Tyler Hayward n Toronto.
Epic bokeh photo of me by my buddy Tyler Hayward in Toronto.

Hey streetogs, after my 3-week trip in Chicago, Toronto, NYC, I am excited to finally be back home in Berkeley. It is wonderful to enjoy sleeping in my own bed, being back at home with Cindy, and the lovely weather of Berkeley. Unfortunately, I think I caught a mild cold while traveling, and will spend the next few days recuperating. Fortunately, caffeine and green tea has been my new friends (gonna take a break from the coffee for a while until I get better).


Traveling was a truly amazing experience. I loved spending time with my close friends that I haven’t seen in a while, and whenever I travel it better helps me appreciate home. I think sometimes you need some time away from home to better appreciate home.

The biggest takeaway point I got from being in NYC was this: although the city is incredible for street photography, there are still so many opportunities I have at home. NYC is considered the mecca for street photography in the world, and I won’t lie– it is absolutely amazing to shoot there.

But at the same time, I realized that Berkeley and home has a lot to offer, in terms of putting on exhibitions with other photographers (recently did a street photography show called “Paved Paradise” which I curated with my good friend Walter at Artis Coffee), potential collaborations with Carson at the Book & Job Gallery, and the chance to look through more of the film I shot the last year.

I also realized that from my trip how much I appreciate having time with my friends. As time has gone on, I have “curated” and “edited down” my group of friends. Rather than trying to network and become friends with everybody, I think I am starting to realize how much I value my close friends. I think it is better to have a few really close friends, rather than having a ton of acquaintances. There is a saying: “You are the average of the 5 closest people to you“.

Reminder to self: live day to day

A photo posted by Eric Kim (@erickimphoto) on

Some random things I am excited for being back home: cooking at home, walking around town more, and doing more reading. I recently finished “Becoming Steve Jobs“, and I have a lot of other random philosophy books to work through. Hopefully some of the ideas from them end up turning into blog posts.

Lots more cool stuff, videos, and features to come for the blog. Thanks always for the support and love :)

<3
Eric
4/15/2015, @ Artis Coffee in Berkeley


Here are some other books I’ve been reading:

Nonfiction/Fiction Book Recommendations

Here are some random books I’ve been reading:

  • Becoming Steve Jobs (a good book to balance out the “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson)
  • The Innovator’s Dilemma (interesting book on business, how to stay innovative, apparently Steve Jobs was really into this book)
  • IQ84 (Always been a Murakami fan, and also a big fan of “1984” by George Orwell)
  • Caffeinated: How Our Daily Habit Helps, Hurts, and Hooks Us (I’m an absolute caffeine fiend, all my blogging gets done with coffee and espressos. Lately been trying to cut back with green tea, but this was a fascinating read in terms of the history of caffeine, coffee, tea, and the industry behind this miracle drug)

Art Book Recommendations

Upcoming Street Photography Workshops in 2015

If you want to conquer your fears and meet new peers in 2015, invest in an experience you will never forget! Check out my full list of upcoming street photography workshops below:

April 10-12th

New York CityIntroduction to Street Photography Workshop – SOLD OUT!

May 9th

San Francisco – Special 1-day Essential Street Portrait Crash Course – OPENNEW(Early-Bird Deadline: May 2nd)

June 5-7th 

Seattle – Introduction to Street Photography WorkshopOnly 1 Spot Left! (Early-Bird Deadline: May 7th)

June 24-28th

Paris – Week-Long Intensive Travel Street Photography Workshop – OPEN! (Early-Bird Deadline: May 24th)

July 10-12th

Amsterdam – Intermediate/Advanced Street Photography WorkshopOPEN! (NEW!)

July 15-19th

Prague – Week-Long Intensive Travel Street Photography Workshop – OPEN!

July 31st-August 2nd

Vienna – Introduction to Street Photography Workshop – OPEN!

August 7-9th

Berlin –Introduction to Street Photography WorkshopOPEN!

August 14-16th

London – Introduction to Street Photography Workshop – OPEN! 

August 19-23rd

IstanbulWeek-Long Travel Street Photography Workshop with special co-host Charlie KirkOPEN! (NEW!)

August 28-30th

Stockholm – Introduction to Street Photography Workshop – Register Intent – NEW!

October 14-18th

New Orleans – Week-Long Travel Street Photography Workshop – Register Intent

You can also learn more about my street photography workshops here.