Memento Mori by Annette Kim

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.

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

For me, I like to think about death a lot. Why? It is the ultimate motivator.

Me and my mom, were both gonna look like this one day.

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

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.”