![Memento Mori by Annette Kim](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/IMG_0651-1-800x571.jpg?resize=800%2C571)
MEMENTORI MORI: remember that you will (and must die).
If today were your last day on earth, what would you photograph? What would you NOT photograph?
![My mom at her childhood home. Bottom, same spot 2 years later with Cindy.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/MEMENTO-MORI-ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-DEATH-AND-LIFE1-800x1083.jpg?resize=800%2C1083)
We don’t like to think or talk about death. Why? Nobody wants to die. We falsely think we will live forever.
![My mom sleeping on our coach bed. Berkeley, 2016](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/R0001111-mom-umma-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530)
For me, I like to think about death a lot. Why? It is the ultimate motivator.
![eric kim mom soul memento mori death](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/eric-mom-soul-1-800x1010.jpg?resize=800%2C1010)
If I were to live forever, I wouldn’t be motivated to do anything. Rather, by knowing my time is limited like a river in a desert oasis, I don’t waste a single minute.
![Pouring Soju for my grandfather. Busan, 2016](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/MEMENTO-MORI-ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-DEATH-AND-LIFE8-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530)
How can you use death in a positive way to inspire your photography?
- Use photography to document the joy of your loved ones. Buy PHOTO JOURNAL and always reflect, that they will die. At least when you take a picture, you can immortalize the good times.
- Only seek to make photos that YOU like. Because when you die, why leave behind photos that random strangers will like? Wouldn’t you rather be on your death-bed, and smile at all your PERSONAL PHOTOS that you created for yourself, family, and loved ones?
- HONOR THY SELFIE: Whenever I shoot a selfie, I remind myself that I’m not gonna look young forever. Even now, I see stress marks, and wrinkles on my face. To document self portraits of myself is a good reminder to myself: “Eric, you are gonna die. Don’t waste any of your life on stupid shit, like acquiring more toys, accruing money for the sake of it, or whatever.”
![MEMENTO MORI by HAPTICLABS](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_20170813_114144_709-800x800.jpg?resize=800%2C800)
To learn more, read how it was like photographing death on my grandfather’s funeral.
BE STRONG,
ERIC
HAPTIC / ERIC KIM FORUM / BOOKS
PHOTOGRAPHY PHILOSOPHY
Why do you make photos? Reflect in PHOTO JOURNAL:
- YOU ARE A PHOTO GOD.
- How to Gain More Control, Freedom, and Happiness in Your Photography
- The Will to Shoot
- The Art of Constantly BECOMING
- The Frame
- How to Increase Your Visual Perception
- Could an AI Shoot the Same Photo as You?
- A Photographer’s Guide to Seeing
- THE LESS REAL YOUR PHOTOS, THE BETTER.
- Photography as Experience
- SHOOT YOU.
- MAKE PICTURES, NOT PHOTOGRAPHS
- Why You Should Ignore Photography and Art Critics
- Do You Live to Photograph, or Photograph to Live?
- Living a Good Life is More Important Than Photography
- How to Start Fresh in Your Photography