ANNETTE KIM // NEW ERIC KIM LOGOS x HAPTICLABS

PHOTOGRAPHY ENTREPRENEURSHIP 101 by ERIC KIM

To succeed as a photography entrepreneur, seek to be “meaningfully different” from everyone else out there.

Preface

The one book I recommend all entrepreneurs or folks trying to start their own business is “Zero to one”, a book by Peter Thiel on how to succeed as a startup.

He has a concept of “meaningful differentiation”.

One. What is “Meaningful Differentiation”?

Meaningful: The work and ideas you have just be meaningful.
Differentiation: You must be different from others.

First of all, you are already different from others.

My suggestion: let your “differentness” shine.

Don’t be ashamed of how you are different. Rather, proudly show how you are different.

Two. Proudly show your black feathers

You are weird. You are the square peg that doesn’t fit in the circular hole.

You are an innovator (maker of new things) because you think differently from the crowd. You are not one of the “sheeple” (sheep people). You are the black swan amongst the white swans.

Therefore, don’t hide the fact that you look different. If you’re a black swan, don’t try to bleach your feathers white. Rather, show off your radiant midnight-black feathers, and make it cool.

Three. How can you help others?

To show your work is meaningful, figure out how you can help or benefit others.

For example, when I write street photography articles, I try to dispel myths, and give practical assignments (see STREET NOTES).

My job as a teacher is for me to be a filter. To take all this information on the internet, and simplify it. And to make the information practical. To take ideas, to transform it into “actionable” concepts.

Ways you can be useful in today’s economy:

Simplify: Take complicated ideas, and break it down for others, in simpler, bite-sized bits. Digest ideas and make it more nourishing and palatable to people. For example, I turned “Learn from the masters” into a practical resource, because I made “tips” from the master photographers, based on complicated photography theory. I’m interested in turning theory into practice.
Facilitate self-development. I’m not a “teacher.” I’m a “facilitator”. You already have all the knowledge in your head. You’re a seed, and you have the potential to turn into a great redwood tree. I’m just a gardener, who helps guide your growth. I prune your leaves, kill the surrounding weeds, and build supports for your branches. I keep away pests, predators, and parasites to help you grow. The same for you, help others facilitate their own self-learning.
Inspire: Most photography blogs are sources of “inspiration.” Present old ideas and remix them to make them more interesting in modern times. This is what hip hop producers do, they “sample” old school vintage music, and mix it with contemporary sounds, and make something new. So to be valuable in today’s world, publish things that inspire others into action.

Four. Teach Yourself

Obviously we are all different. What works for you won’t work for me and vice versa.

But there are some folks out there who are similar to you.

My suggestion:

Find solutions that work for you, and devote your life trying to share those remedies with others.

If you’re a doctor and you found the cure for CANCER, you have an ethical duty to share that cure with humanity. But maybe this cancer cure only works for 1% of the population. But still, you should share this information.

Therefore, seek a solution that works for you, and share this self-knowledge with others.

For myself, I like to publish because even if it helps 1 other human being, the effort is worth it.