Eric Kim: The Street Photographer as Philosopher

Eric Kim: The Street Photographer as Philosopher

Eric Kim is a renowned street photographer who has built a reputation not just for his images, but for the wisdom and philosophy he weaves into photography and life. Through personal experiences, deep reading, and open teaching, Kim approaches street photography as a vehicle for self-understanding and meaning. Below, we explore the dimensions of his philosophy – from his core ideas about photography and personal journey, to the thinkers who inspire him, his teaching style, minimalist lifestyle, and the key themes of creativity, failure, self-knowledge, motivation, fear, and meaning that pervade his work.

Street Photography as a Philosophy of Life

Photography as self-expression and truth: Kim believes a photograph is far more than a picture – it’s an expression of the photographer’s soul and viewpoint. In his words, “to me, photography is putting human emotions, perspective, and soul into an image… all about expressing yourself as an individual” . He often describes photography as “poetry with a camera” or “writing with light,” emphasizing that the camera is a tool to illuminate one’s inner vision . Rather than merely documenting reality, Kim’s philosophy is that a photographer should convey a unique personal truth.

Finding beauty in the mundane: A recurring principle in Kim’s philosophy is to appreciate the ordinary. He writes that “photography is about making sense of the world… finding appreciation in the small things in life,” essentially “finding beauty in the ordinary and mundane” . This reflective approach turns street photography into a form of mindfulness. By walking slowly and observing closely, Kim treats “photography as a meditation on life and death,” reminding himself that “everything you photograph will eventually perish” . This awareness of impermanence adds depth to each click of the shutter.

Introspection through the camera: Kim’s philosophy holds that photography is a mirror to the self. “As a photographer… your job is to discover what you find meaningful and purposeful in life – and share that truth with others,” he says . Notably, despite being known for candid street shots of strangers, Kim realized that “it is more important to photograph your loved ones than strangers” . In recent years he shifted to more “personal photography,” making his wife Cindy and even himself (through self-portraits) central subjects of his work . This evolution underscores his belief that the deepest photographic stories begin with personal meaning and relationships. By documenting family and even confronting mortality through photographing death, Kim found a greater urge to “photograph more life” . In essence, photography became a tool for Kim’s own self-knowledge and reflection on what matters most.

Photography as applied wisdom: Ultimately, Eric Kim views photography itself as a philosophical act. He directly equates photography with philosophy, describing it as “philosophy — applied with a more discerning lens” . For Kim, philosophy means the love of wisdom, and “wisdom is knowing the difference between right and wrong… between meaningful and shallow… between real and fake” . By that token, making photographs is a way of practicing wisdom – choosing to seek the meaningful over the trivial. He often challenges his audience by asking whether they are “a photography philosopher, or do you make photos for the gram?” . In other words, are you shooting to look deeper into life, or merely chasing social media validation? This ethos of depth and authenticity lies at the heart of Kim’s photographic philosophy.

Early Life, Setbacks, and Self-Discovery

From academia to street photography: Eric Kim’s personal development journey has been marked by bold changes and pivotal lessons. Born in 1988 in San Francisco and raised in California (with a couple of formative years in Queens, New York), Kim initially followed a conventional path. He enrolled at UCLA as a biology/pre-med student – “to become a doctor like a ‘good Asian kid’” as he jokes – but soon realized “I hated math and science” at the academic level . This led him to switch to sociology, a decision that opened the door to his true passion. While at UCLA, Kim co-founded a photography club and “discover[ed] Street Photography as my passion,” even starting his blog in 2010 for fun to share photos, essays, and tips . This period was a turning point: he pivoted from an expected career in science to an uncertain creative calling, laying the groundwork for his later philosophical outlook that one must follow one’s passion and curiosity.

Career risks and a new start: After college, Kim faced a major setback that would become a catalyst for growth. He landed a job as an online community manager at a tech company (Demand Media), but after about a year the company went public and promptly crashed – “the company IPO’s… and I lose my job” . Rather than seeing this failure as defeat, Kim took it as an opportunity. In 2011, at around 22-23 years old, he made the daring decision to pursue street photography full-time . “I decide to try to pursue this street photography thing for a living,” he notes of that moment . This leap of faith was a significant turning point in his personal development. It meant rejecting a safe corporate path for a life of uncertainty, travel, and self-employment – a choice very much in line with the philosophies of embracing uncertainty and freedom that he would later espouse.

A nomadic creative life: From 2011 onward, Eric Kim essentially crafted his own path as a “digital nomad” photographer. For about eight years he was self-employed, traveling across the world to teach workshops and shoot street photography . He lived in cities from Los Angeles to Michigan to Berkeley, and then embarked on an international nomadic lifestyle with his wife (marrying Cindy in 2016) living for stretches in Vietnam, Japan, Mexico, Europe, and more . This period of constant movement taught Kim as much about life as it did about photography. He often likens himself to a flâneur, the wandering observer of urban life – documenting myriad cultures and streets, while also reflecting on globalization and technology’s impact on society . But Kim eventually discovered that perpetual travel was not a panacea for fulfillment. In a candid reflection influenced by Stoic wisdom, he wrote that after all his roaming, “I’ve found that true happiness resides in myself. In my heart… No matter how much I change where I live, my problems always follow me” . Here we see a major lesson Kim learned: that you cannot run away to find contentment. This echoes Seneca’s maxim “Everywhere means nowhere,” meaning if you’re always searching elsewhere, you’ll find peace nowhere . Kim realized he needed a change of soul more than a change of scenery – a profound insight that shifted his focus inward.

Embracing failure as fuel: A defining aspect of Kim’s personal philosophy is his relationship with failure. Despite his successes, he frequently describes himself as failing – and says that’s a good thing. “I think failure is something I always fear – but something I have learned to embrace,” Kim admits frankly . Early in his photography journey, he experienced the humbling realization that his work was full of “almost” photos that never quite hit perfection. And he came to accept that “in street photography (and in life) there are no perfect photos or perfect moments. They are all imperfect in little ways” . This acceptance of imperfection is central to his wisdom. Rather than avoiding failure, Kim deliberately uses it as a teacher. “Every time I fail in something – it gives me more information, inspiration, and motivation to better myself and my photography,” he says . In fact, he credits his many failures with helping him continually re-evaluate and improve. Kim even proclaims, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, “I am the biggest failure in street photography, but it is those failures which help me learn from my mistakes” . Instead of chasing an impossible ideal of flawlessness, he focuses on growth – understanding that mastery is a long-term journey of trial, error, and resilience. This mirrors the Silicon Valley mantra “fail fast, fail often,” which he has cited, and the Stoic idea that adversity is an opportunity in disguise . By openly discussing his fears (like the fear of being disliked or the fear of taking a difficult shot) and how he pushes through them, Kim has turned his personal development into a narrative of continuous learning. In practical terms, he even advises: “to double your success rate… double your failure rate” – meaning the more you put yourself out there, the more you will achieve in the end. This attitude has endeared him to many as a source of hard-won wisdom.

Stoic and Intellectual Influences

One reason Eric Kim is seen as “wise” is that he actively studies wisdom traditions and applies them to his life and art. He often quotes philosophers, stoics, and writers, integrating their insights into his own. Stoicism in particular has had a profound impact on him. “The individual who has influenced my life the most is Seneca,” Kim writes, referring to the Roman Stoic philosopher . Seneca’s letters and essays have been Kim’s constant companion – he has read “Letters From a Stoic” over a dozen times . What Kim admires is that Seneca “talked the talk, but also walked the walk,” living by his principles even up to his forced suicide . Inspired by this example, Kim has playfully adopted Seneca as a kind of spiritual mentor. He even changed his online persona to “Eric Seneca Kim” as an homage . As he explains: “You cannot choose who your parents are, but you can choose who your spiritual teachers are.” By symbolically taking Seneca’s name, he reminds himself daily of the Stoic values of tranquility, courage, and wisdom.

Kim’s engagement with Stoicism goes beyond quotes – it shapes his daily outlook. He practices the Stoic exercise of negative visualization and embracing hardship. For instance, he notes that strength training and difficult physical challenges build mental fortitude against fear . During the COVID-19 lockdowns, he worked out with heavy stones in the park and reflected on how “open-air environments” free of modern comforts spur better thinking and toughness . In his blog posts like “Stoicism 101,” he traces Stoic ideas from Zeno and Epictetus down to practical modern advice on dealing with fear and uncertainty . Notably, Kim’s gateway into Stoic philosophy was through contemporary literature: “I think I might’ve first learned about Stoicism from Nassim Taleb and his Antifragile book,” he recalls . Taleb’s concept of via negativa – improving life by subtracting the unnecessary – resonated strongly with Kim’s emerging minimalist ethos . From there, he voraciously consumed Stoic writings and even obscure texts, integrating their lessons into his own life.

Beyond Stoicism, Eric Kim’s intellectual influences range widely. He draws inspiration from ancient wisdom to modern entrepreneurship. He often cites the dictum attributed to Seneca, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity,” applying it to street photography (carry your camera and be ready) . He also references the Cynic philosopher Diogenes, Lao Tzu’s Taoism, and Zen Buddhism parallels to Stoicism, appreciating their common thread of simplicity and inner discipline . When it comes to creativity and innovation, Kim looks to figures like Steve Jobs as well. He admires Jobs’ obsession with simplicity and credits him as an influence in design and lifestyle choices . In one post Kim even says he’s inspired by “Picasso, Steve Jobs, and Kanye West,” among other artists . This eclectic mix shows that Kim’s philosophy isn’t derived from any single source; rather, he absorbs ideas from business leaders, musicians, writers, and artists alike. He has mentioned hip-hop artists Jay-Z and Kanye for their confidence and originality, and even quoted Kanye’s line “No man should have all that power” to discuss the folly of domination and ego . Likewise, he cites the Roman writer Publilius Syrus when reflecting on the futility of trying to please everyone , and references Japanese haiku poet Bashō when talking about inspiration from nature .

What unites these diverse influences is Kim’s constant search for insight into living a more intentional and courageous life. He often invokes the Delphic maxim “Know thyself”, calling it “the greatest wisdom given to us by the ancient philosophers.” This principle – knowing one’s own values, desires, and weaknesses – is at the core of his approach. By studying great thinkers and creators, Kim refines his own identity and philosophy. Importantly, he approaches this humbly. “I am certainly not a ‘master’ myself; just a humble student dedicated to a life-long pursuit of learning,” he writes, emphasizing that he is always learning from others (be it the ancient Stoics or the masters of photography) . This humility and openness to knowledge are a big part of why followers consider him wise; he models the role of the perpetual student of life.

Sharing Wisdom: Workshops, Blogging, and Open-Source Teaching

Eric Kim’s reputation for wisdom is also tied to the way he communicates and teaches. Early on, Kim recognized that knowledge gains value when shared freely. He made it his mission to disseminate what he learns, dubbing his approach “open source photography.” As he states succinctly on his website bio, “My passion in life is to contribute ‘open source’ knowledge about street photography, life, and philosophy on my blog.” This ethos of open sharing is reflected in the enormous amount of content he’s published. Since 2010, Kim’s blog (erickimphotography.com) has become one of the most extensive resources on street photography in the world – featuring thousands of posts ranging from technique tutorials and camera advice to personal essays and philosophical musings. All of it is available for free. He has even released several free e-books and PDFs (such as “100 Lessons from the Masters of Street Photography” and “Street Photography 101”) and has allowed high-resolution downloads of his photos for personal use . By removing paywalls and encouraging others to remix or reuse his materials, Kim embodies the “open source” ideal borrowed from software culture. This generosity in education has significantly contributed to his image as a wise mentor in the community.

Workshops and personal teaching: A major avenue for Kim’s influence has been the international workshops he leads. Since going full-time, he has taught street photography workshops in dozens of cities across Asia, Europe, the Americas – essentially wherever his travels take him. These multi-day workshops cover shooting techniques but also dive into mindset, fear-conquering exercises, and portfolio reviews with philosophical critique. Participants often speak of Kim’s enthusiasm and supportive, no-ego style. As one testimonial notes, “You’d be hard-pressed to find a more courageous, knowledgeable, and friendly photographer/teacher… Eric’s energy and passion show when he teaches” . During workshops, Kim prioritizes his students’ growth over his own shooting opportunities. “When I’m teaching the workshop, the majority of the focus is on the students,” he explained in an interview . He will even demonstrate techniques using a student’s camera or point out scenes for them rather than taking the shot himself . This selflessness in teaching – essentially living the principle that to teach is to learn twice – reinforces his wise persona. Attendees often credit him with giving them the courage to approach strangers or the insight to find their style . By openly discussing topics like dealing with rejection or the philosophy of “why shoot street at all,” Kim turns his workshops into more than just photography classes; they become life lessons in fearlessness and creativity. Many people who have never met him in person still feel they know him through his writing and videos, where he often addresses the audience as “Dear friend” and speaks in an encouraging, candid tone .

Blogging as a form of teaching: Kim’s blog posts often read like reflective journal entries or letters to a friend, which makes his philosophical ideas very accessible. He has written on topics such as “How to Conquer Your Fears in Life,” “Why You Shouldn’t Seek Others’ Approval,” “How to Stay Motivated in Photography,” and even abstract subjects like “What is the meaning of life?” – always tying it back to his personal experiences and photography. In doing so, he has effectively blurred the line between a photography how-to blog and a self-help/philosophy blog. For example, one can find an article on camera techniques next to an essay on Nietzsche’s concept of the will to power. This blend of technical and philosophical content attracts a broad readership. Some come for the camera tips and stay for the life advice; others come for inspiration and end up learning about zone focusing on a rangefinder. By communicating in plain language and sharing his own failures and questions, Kim creates a sense of camaraderie with readers. He frequently invites dialogue, either through comments or via email newsletters, strengthening the community aspect of his platform.

Kim’s YouTube videos and lectures also amplify his teachings. He’s published numerous video talks – from casual vlogs during a morning coffee to formal presentations like a Google Talks session titled “Eternal Return to Creative Every Day” – where he encourages viewers to live each day as an opportunity to create art. In these videos, he often distills philosophical concepts into practical advice. For instance, he interprets Nietzsche’s idea of eternal recurrence as a prompt to ask: If you had to live this day over forever, what would you do to make it meaningful? Such questions challenge his audience to rethink their habits and fears. Similarly, his “PhotoLosophy” series on YouTube is literally a free course merging photography and philosophy . Through all these channels, Kim’s consistent message is one of empowerment: that anyone can find more purpose and happiness by approaching photography (and life) with curiosity, courage, and minimal baggage. This teaching approach – generous, wide-ranging, and personal – has made Eric Kim a mentor figure to many, even those who have never met him. It’s a key reason he’s viewed as someone who offers wisdom, not just shooting tips.

Living the Philosophy: Minimalism and the Stoic Lifestyle

A distinctive facet of Eric Kim’s public persona is his minimalist lifestyle, which he aligns closely with his philosophical convictions. In both his personal life and art, Kim strives for simplicity, focus, and a kind of Stoic austerity that he finds liberating. He often says that “true luxury is less” – a paradoxical motto suggesting that having fewer material possessions and distractions is the ultimate richness . This is an idea he credits to Stoic and minimalist influences (indeed, it echoes Socrates’ statement that “contentment is natural wealth”). Kim takes this to heart: for years he has maintained an extremely pared-down life, especially while traveling. He is famous for wearing the same outfit nearly every day – a simple all-black ensemble of a shirt, jeans, and shoes. As Kim explains, this frees his mind for creative matters: “I just wear #allblackeverything and life is simpler… I like the idea that people should admire me for my photos and creative work – not my clothes or exterior. The less distracted I am with clothes, the more focus I can have on making art.” . This choice reflects both Steve Jobs’ influence (the uniform turtleneck) and Stoic humility. By deliberately reducing decisions about fashion or luxury, he channels his energy toward photography, writing, and experiences. It’s an intentional practice of what he calls “pruning the inessential to maximize the essential” .

Decluttering life for clarity: Kim extends minimalism to almost every area of living. He travels light (often one camera and one lens, no camera bag) and has even experimented with not owning a phone for periods of time . In one post he muses that the greatest luxuries are things like a quiet home, few electronic noises, and freedom from email – essentially luxuries of absence rather than acquisition . Citing Nassim Taleb’s via negativa concept, he notes that “to improve your life means to subtract or get rid of stuff”, whether that means toxic people, unnecessary gadgets, or mental clutter . This philosophy led him to delete social media apps, reduce digital subscriptions, and even practice intermittent fasting (consuming less, even with food, to gain more health) . By “uninstalling the non-essentials” in life, Kim believes we reclaim freedom for what truly matters . He argues that minimalism isn’t about self-deprivation at all, but about making space for creativity and rich experiences . “Minimalism helps reduce friction in life,” he explains – fewer choices and items mean fewer distractions and decisions, which allows one to “experience more” of the world directly . We can see this principle in his photography as well: many of Kim’s images are stark black-and-white compositions focusing on a single subject or moment, without extraneous elements. That visual simplicity echoes the Stoic aesthetic of clarity and directness.

Stoic aesthetic and discipline: In appearance and habit, Eric Kim often invokes the Stoic or even Spartan archetype. He has adopted a vigorous physical routine – weight-lifting (notably deadlifting very heavy weights), calisthenics, and walking – tying bodily strength to mental fortitude in classic Stoic fashion . He has written about the benefits of cold showers, early rising, and fasting, all practices favored by Stoic-minded individuals seeking resilience. His personal brand imagery at times even depicts him as a bronze-like bust or “Spartan” figure , which is partly humorous self-stylization, but also a nod to his admiration for ancient warrior-philosophers. This Stoic minimalism also influences how he and his wife designed their home and workflow – keeping only high-quality, useful tools and eschewing excess furniture or luxury decor. In photography gear, Kim famously touts one camera, one lens as an ideal: “One camera, one lens is bliss,” he says, preferring to master a simple setup rather than juggle multiple cameras . All these choices reinforce his philosophical stance that less is more. As he succinctly puts it, “Have less, in order to do more, and become more.” . By living with intentional limitation, Kim finds greater creative output and personal growth. This minimalist, Stoic lifestyle isn’t just for show – it’s a practical reflection of his values. It demonstrates how deeply his philosophical commitments run: they guide everything from how he dresses and eats to how he composes a photograph. This coherence between his life and teachings further cements his reputation as someone who lives his wisdom.

Themes of Creativity, Fear, and Meaning in His Work

Across Eric Kim’s blogs, talks, and images, several key themes consistently emerge – threads of wisdom that tie his diverse output together. Among these are creativity, fear, failure, self-knowledge, motivation, and meaning. Kim returns to these themes repeatedly, each time refining his understanding and sharing new insights.

Creativity and staying inspired: A core message in Kim’s content is that everyone has the capacity for creativity, but it must be nurtured like a muscle. He often encourages people to create something every day, even if small, to build their “creative muscle.” At a talk at Google, he urged the audience to “achieve your personal artistic maximum” by daily practice . One of his popular mantras (borrowed from Picasso) is to “rediscover your inner-child” – essentially to approach art playfully, without fear of mistakes . Kim shares that his own inspiration comes largely from external sources: loved ones, books, music, art, and nature. “Nobody is born inspired… Everything I have learned is from society, and those who I love. Nothing is from myself,” he writes, crediting his wife and others for fueling his ideas . This humble view—that creativity is a collective inheritance—leads him to advise aspiring artists to feed their minds with rich inputs. He finds inspiration in the everyday surroundings: “treat your everyday, mundane, ordinary life as the deepest source of inspiration and motivation… You can find as much inspiration in the suburbs as the streets of Paris,” Kim writes, echoing his belief in the beauty of the ordinary . By sharing how he finds creativity in everything from hip-hop lyrics to a walk in the park, Kim provides a kind of template for others to stay motivated and imaginative. He also counsels not to force creativity – if uninspired, do something else and allow ideas to flow naturally . This balanced approach to creative work (discipline mixed with flexibility) is a frequent theme in his essays on making art and avoiding burnout.

Overcoming fear: Fear is an obstacle Kim identifies in both photography and life. The fear of approaching a stranger for a photo, the fear of criticism, the fear of failure – these are all parallels to deeper fears like the fear of rejection or the fear of change. Kim speaks candidly about his own fears: “there are moments of fear that I always feel – when it comes to taking photos, sharing my work with others, or not getting admiration from others,” he admits . By laying his insecurities bare, he demystifies them. He frequently tells the story of how street photography taught him courage: “If you can make a photo of a stranger, you can conquer your personal fears in life”, he asserts . In practical terms, he offers tips like using a small camera or practicing with friends to build confidence, and even techniques like “shooting from the hip” or using a flash to force oneself out of the comfort zone . Philosophically, he reframes fear as a guide rather than an enemy – “we certainly know what we’re afraid of photographing,” he writes, which means our fears point to areas where we can grow . One of his blog posts titled “Conquer Your Fears by Making Fear Your Slave” encapsulates his attitude: identify what you fear, confront it repeatedly, and thereby rob it of its power . Kim also differentiates between good fear (the kind that keeps you alive) and bad fear (the irrational kind that holds you back) . By analyzing fear in this way and sharing strategies to overcome hesitation, Kim has empowered many readers to not only be bolder photographers but also to take risks in other areas of life, whether it’s starting a creative project or traveling solo. This emphasis on courage in the face of fear is a hallmark of his “wisdom messaging.”

Embracing failure and imperfection: Hand-in-hand with fear is the notion of failure, which Kim addresses so often it’s practically a motif in his writing. We’ve seen how he personally embraces failure as a teacher. He also evangelizes this to others: “to double your success rate… double your failure rate” . He tries to remove the stigma from failing by sharing stories of his own flops – failed photo projects, workshops that didn’t sell out, blog posts that received backlash – and what he learned from them . In one article, he systematically lists his “failures” like not getting certain jobs or not pleasing everyone, followed by the realizations each brought (for example, failing to please everyone taught him to please himself and meet his own standards instead) . This reflective practice is something he encourages his followers to do as well: examine your failures for the lessons within. Kim’s outlook is fundamentally optimistic in this regard; failures are not final, they are feedback. This ties to the Stoic idea of amor fati – loving one’s fate, even the setbacks. By openly normalizing failure, Kim inspires others to take action without the paralyzing fear of messing up. As he succinctly puts it, “I’m glad that I fail regularly – because it gives me the motivation to try even harder in my work.” Such reframing of failure as fuel for improvement is one of the reasons people find his perspective encouraging and “wise.”

The search for meaning and self-knowledge: Ultimately, all of Kim’s themes funnel into a larger one: finding personal meaning. Whether it’s through photography or any life pursuit, he constantly prompts the question “Why?” Why take photographs at all? Why live a minimalist life? Why seek success? For Kim, the answer revolves around understanding oneself and creating a meaningful existence. He has written that “the purpose of my life is to produce knowledge, and to distill information and lessons I’ve learned… to the masses”, essentially dedicating himself to sharing and teaching . This sense of purpose drives him. But he doesn’t impose his purpose on others; rather, he encourages everyone to define their own “self-directed purpose” . In his journaling prompts and blog posts, he often asks readers: what do you want out of life? What does success mean to you? He warns against defaulting to society’s definitions and echoes the maxim “Know thyself” as the key to unlocking meaning . In photography terms, he advises people to shoot what genuinely fascinates them, not what they think will impress others. “Don’t worry if your photos qualify as ‘street photography’ or not. Just aim to make meaningful and memorable images,” he urges . By removing external benchmarks, he directs people inward to find what moves them.

Kim’s emphasis on meaning is also evident in how he talks about legacy and mortality. He is aware that photographs are a way to cheat death – to save a transient moment. This gives photography a weighty purpose: memory and connection. He often says that at the end of the day, the meaningful photos are those of loved ones and personal moments . This perspective helps him (and his audience) remember what’s important in life. It’s a philosophical stance aligning with Stoic and Buddhist thoughts on impermanence and cherishing the present. By sharing these insights – e.g., writing about the death of his grandparents and how photographing them in their final days affected him – Kim uses his platform to explore the human condition, far beyond just cameras and streets . This depth is what elevates his content to something “wise.” Readers come away not just better photographers, but perhaps with a bit more insight into themselves.

Motivation and authenticity: Finally, Kim consistently champions staying true to oneself (authenticity) and staying hungry (motivation). He disdains chasing accolades or social media fame for their own sake. His advice is to create from intrinsic motivation – because you love it or because it helps you grow – rather than for external validation. In line with this, he has stepped away from metrics like Instagram likes and instead focuses on blogging, which he finds more fulfilling even if less instantly gratifying. He has also maintained a beginner’s mindset, frequently calling himself a student. This attitude keeps him motivated to keep learning. When people ask him how he stays so productive, one thing he points to is gratitude – he considers it a blessing to have an audience and an opportunity to create, so he doesn’t want to waste it. And he remains “hungry and foolish” (a phrase from Steve Jobs) in exploring new ideas, whether it’s dabbling in cryptocurrency philosophy or experimenting with new art forms .

In summary, the key themes in Eric Kim’s work form a cohesive philosophy: embrace your creativity, confront your fears, learn from your failures, know yourself, stay motivated by what you love, and seek meaning over approval. It’s a blend of Stoic endurance, Zen-like presence, and an almost childlike enthusiasm for life’s wonders. This is how Eric Kim, through writing and example, has come to be known as a source of wisdom in the realm of photography and beyond. He demonstrates that street photography is not just about taking pictures – it’s a conduit for understanding life. As he once wrote, “Ultimately, to find your own personal vision… you just need to know yourself as a human being. ‘Know thyself’ is the greatest wisdom.” By following that credo, Eric Kim has carved out a unique role as both an artist and a philosopher on the street, inspiring a global community of creatives to shoot with not just their eyes, but with their mind and heart.

Sources:

• Eric Kim, “Photography is Philosophy,” EricKimPhotography.com .
• Eric Kim, “103 Lessons I’ve Learned From Street Photography,” EricKimPhotography.com .
• Eric Kim, “Biography,” EricKimPhotography.com (Personal blog) .
• Eric Kim, “On Failure and Street Photography,” EricKimPhotography.com (Feb 28, 2014) .
• Eric Kim, “10 Lessons Seneca Has Taught Me,” EricKimPhotography.com .
• Eric Kim, “F**k ‘Lifestyle’” (blog article), EricKimPhotography.com .
• Eric Kim, “How to Find Inspiration,” EricKimPhotography.com .
• Flickr – About Eric Kim (Profile description) .
• Blake Andrews, “Q&A with Eric Kim,” Blake Andrews Blog (Apr 27, 2014) .
• Mike Evans, “Eric Kim on failure and street photography,” Macfilos (Feb 28, 2014) .
• Eric Kim Photography Blog – various posts on Minimalism , Stoicism , Fear , and Philosophy of Photography .