PICASSO X ERIC KIM

Rather than trying to fit into the categories society shows you, why not make your own category?

Preface

From the series, “PHOTOGRAPHY ENTREPRENEURSHIP 101”

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Why create your own category?

GEORGE CONDO X ERICKIM

For example, I studied sociology and the only “options” I was presented was,

Become a sociology professor or lecturer
Become a social worker
Become a high school teacher

The problem is that society tries to just frame life as a few options. In reality, there are options 4, 5, 6….100 that aren’t presented to you.

Here are some other options I came up with:

Social media marketing: Combining sociology with internet, social media, marketing, and online communities.
Street Photography: my knowledge of sociology, combined with a camera… visual street photography / visual sociology.

The method I used was “cross-pollinating”– mixing different fields, and making something new out of it.

For example, I was passionate about technology, the internet, and society. Studying the sociology of online social networks is something that interested me, that led to teaching a seminar at UCLA: “The Sociology of Facebook and Online Social Networks”. I ended up studying other technology sociologists and theorists like Nicholas Carr, Clay Shirky, and Chris Anderson.

What inspires me.

Saigon, 2017

When I started this blog, I embarked to create the most definitive source for street photography education on the web.

At first, I saw the problem: No resources online on how to shoot street photography.

Therefore, I scratched my own itch. I created the information that I wanted to read and consume.

Therefore business lesson:

You are your best potential customer or client. Make the service or make the information that you would love to have access to.

You cannot design for the masses. You can design for yourself, and your preferences.

Don’t design by committee or asking people for their opinion. Rather, ask yourself for your own opinion. And then just build the product, platform, or service. Then seek people who have the same vision and philosophy as you.

“But you cant teach street photography!”

When I started teaching street photography workshops, nobody was teaching street photography workshops.

The concept of teaching a street photography workshop didn’t even exist.

In 2011, I got criticism saying:

How can you even teach street photography? It is something un-teachable.

I disagree. I think anyone can be taught street photography, visual education, and how to make better photos.

So I’m glad I ignored the nay-sayers, and followed my own gut. And I’ve succeeded.

How to create your own category

You are a category of your own. Innovation is hard, and often happens with luck. Some ideas on how to create a new category:

Cross-pollinate two different fields. Combine machine learning and photography. Combine sculpture and photography. Combine biology and photography. See what unique synthesis or hybrid you can make.
Tinker and experiment: There is no formula. You gotta just fuck around, mess around, and play. See what works. Keep throwing paint on the wall, and see what sticks.
Take more risks: Your life is short. Imagine yourself at age 90 on your deathbed. What would you regret not having taken a chance on?

BE BRAVE,
ERIC