![ERIC KIM SELFIE in broken mirror. Kyoto, 2017.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-KYOTO-0135700-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530)
Photography and art is very important for my mental health.
![Cindy picture of ERIC sleeping in Ryokan. Uji, Kyoto 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-KYOTO-0135133-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530)
If I don’t take photos on a regular basis, I start feeling shitty.
![Kid playing with red ball at night in Uji, Kyoto 2017.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-KYOTO-0135073-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530)
For me, photography is all about exploring, playing and finding more appreciation in my everyday life. Without photography, I feel like I cannot breathe.
![Uji sunset, 2017.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-KYOTO-0135029-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530)
Photography keeps my life interesting and exciting. Photography gives my life a sense of purpose — to empower other photographers, to share open source information, but also to avoid feelings of depression in myself.
![Uji sunset. 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-KYOTO-0134954-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530)
If I’m indoors all day, I get antsy, and feel restless, listless, and have too much time to think. I think too much time to think (especially when you are indoors) I think — is bad for your mental health. Depression is certainly a modern affliction — in the past, when we were too busy just fighting for survival, we didn’t even have time to feel depressed. But now, with too much comfort and luxury, we are punished.
![Ryokan with Cindy. Uji, Kyoto 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-KYOTO-0134498-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530)
For myself, I still get suckered by wanting more stuff, money, and wealth. But photography reminds me —
True happiness is human relationships.
![Diagonal composition Uji, 2017. Note the edge of the top right frame and bottom left frame and top left frame... all connect quite well.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-KYOTO-0134478-800x1208.jpg?resize=800%2C1208)
When I make photos of Cindy, I remind myself:
My life is short. Let me appreciate every moment with Cindy. For me not to be petty, complain over bullshit, and live life with joy and appreciation.
![Reflection of Cindy in Ukata in our Ryokan in Uji, Kyoto 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-KYOTO-0134405-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Kyoto-Eric-Kim-Haptic-Snapshots-0133793-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530)
Photography always puts me in a better mood. I can turn off my brain, and just shoot — entering a zen zone, and treating photography as self therapy.
![Cindy laughing at red shrine. Kyoto, 2017.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Kyoto-Eric-Kim-Haptic-Snapshots-0133720-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530)
Lately, I’m trying to take more POSITIVE photos. Photos of people laughing and smiling. To feel more joy in life, rather than just looking for the shitty.
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-KYOTO-STREET-0021125-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-KYOTO-STREET-0021123-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530)
![Japanese man. Kyoto street portrait, 2017.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Kyoto-ERIC-KIM-STREET-PHOTOGRAPHY-2017-25-800x1208.jpg?resize=800%2C1208)
I think a lot of us are miserable in our photography because we try too hard to be “serious” photographers.
![Finger pointing to kids. Amsterdam, 2017. Kids run into the scene, thus completing the composition.](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/D69956BD-9DCC-4DC0-9F13-C27945201A5B-800x530.jpeg?resize=800%2C530)
I say fuck that — let’s just be big kids with cameras. Don’t take yourself seriously — just have fun.
![ERIC KIM Amsterdam Street photography workshop group picture, 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/P8570219-800x535.jpg?resize=800%2C535)
The reason I love to teach workshops — the chance to have fun, meet other new passionate friends, and to share my experiences.
I think anything that brings us closer to people is good for us.
If you had a billion dollars, but you were the only person left on planet earth, would you be happy?
![ERIC KIM abstract selfie, Amsterdam 2017](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ERIC-KIM-PHOTOGRAPHY-AMSTERDAM-DIARY-201753-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530)
Make photos that bring a smile to your own face
No pressure in your photography. Just make photos that bring joy to your own life, and bring a smile to your own face.
Smile,
ERIC