{"id":53967,"date":"2017-06-26T21:31:24","date_gmt":"2017-06-27T04:31:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=53967"},"modified":"2017-06-26T21:35:20","modified_gmt":"2017-06-27T04:35:20","slug":"how-to-build-self-confidence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/06\/26\/how-to-build-self-confidence\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Build Self-Confidence"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Downtown LA, 2011<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dear friend,<\/p>\n

I think street photography is 80% confidence, and 20% skills. Of course, confidence is also a skill– a skill you can build, develop, and mature.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

I. Why be confident?<\/h2>\n

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Okay, so the more I think about it…the more I am in the business of selling self-confidence. Self-empowerment.<\/p>\n

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To me, street photography is the best way to build self power, self esteem, and self confidence.<\/p>\n

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Downtown LA, 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

First of all, why<\/em> have self confidence? Many reasons:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Confidence will give you the confidence to actually make a photo of something you want to, without hesitation or fear. <\/li>\n
  2. Confidence will give you the strength and self-belief to actually share your work, and not fear judgement. <\/li>\n
  3. Confidence will allow you to believe in yourself, and your uncompromising artistic vision. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Confidence is the blood of the artist. And yes, as a photographer you are an artist.<\/p>\n

    II. Confidence is a skill.<\/h2>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    The reason why I teach workshops is because I want to teach this skill<\/em> of confidence to others.<\/p>\n

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    Downtown LA, 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    I believe in a growth mentality, the idea that we can grow. My life philosophy:<\/p>\n

    \n There are no limits.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    I want to conquer reality– conquer my own self-doubts, and even fight gravity. I want to become more powerful, to help more other people, and also for me to become a more fearless artist.<\/p>\n

    III. How to teach confidence<\/h2>\n

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    How do you teach confidence? Some ideas:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. “Exposure training therapy”<\/strong>: Have people actually do what they’re afraid of, and after they do it, they’re not that scared anymore. For example, giving a student the assignment to ask for permission to make a portrait of a stranger. Before doing it, the student is scared. After doing the assignment, the student is empowered and has less fear. <\/li>\n
    2. Not fearing failure<\/strong>: Modern society has taught us to fear failure. I believe in the Silicon Valley mantra: “Fail forward.” That means, don’t fear failure. Rather, channel forward to drive yourself forward, to become stronger and more self-confident. <\/li>\n
    3. Practice it everyday<\/strong>: If our muscles were no longer under the power of gravity, our bodies would wither and die. Astronauts in space lose a lot of strength and muscle mass. If we go a day without doing something that slightly scares us, we will lose our “mojo” or confidence. Confidence is a skill, like a muscle, which must be trained daily. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      IV. How ERIC KIM practices daily confidence building.<\/h2>\n

      \"\"<\/p>\n

      So how does ERIC KIM do it? Some things I do in my daily routine:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Say hello to everyone and ask them how they’re doing<\/strong>: I try to make as much small talk with everyone I meet. I ask them about their day, where they’re from, and their life dreams. This is why I like taking Uber and Taxis, I can make small talk with drivers. Often in a foreign language. <\/li>\n
      2. I make photos of what scares me.<\/strong> If I see a stranger that scares me, I ask to make a portrait of them. It helps me build my confidence. <\/li>\n
      3. Regret Minimization Framework:<\/strong> I don’t want to regret not<\/em> making a photo. This can be called the “regret minimization framework” in photography: life a life without regrets. Live a life of a photographer without regrets. For example, if you were on your death bed at age 90– what would you regret not<\/em> having done in life? You would probably regret not taking more risks– risks of travel, risks of job, risk of finding a life partner, or risk of publishing your controversial art, photos, or starting your own business. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        V. Why street photography is the key to self-confidence<\/h2>\n

        \"\"<\/p>\n

        Of course this piece is just another advertisement for an ERIC KIM EXPERIENCE<\/a>— to conquer your fears and meet new peers. To be honest, doing a workshop on how to conquer your fears in street photography– a good investment that will pay dividends for decades to come.<\/p>\n

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        I have found having confidence in my street photography help me in so many practical ways in life:<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Having the confidence to raise my prices for my services– because I started to value my labor more (read the “My labor is not free<\/a>” essay by Cindy Nguyen). <\/li>\n
        2. Having the confidence to take risks with travel– not to just travel to Paris, but to go to Portugal, rent a car, and see the beautiful seashore — an epic adventure with family I highly recommend. <\/li>\n
        3. Having the confidence to publish controversial ideas, even though I might be crucified on a digital social media cross. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          VI. Confidence building exercises<\/h2>\n
          \"\"
          Hollywood, 2011<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

          What are some practical things I can do today to build confidence in street photography and life? Some ideas:<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Make a photo of a stranger without permission<\/strong>. After you make eye contact with them, walk up to them and then ask for permission to make more photos of them. <\/li>\n
          2. Ask a bunch of stranger to make a portrait of them, and get 10 people to reject you and say “no.”<\/strong> Keep shooting and asking until you get 10 rejections. <\/li>\n
          3. Prefocus your lens to .7 meters (3 feet)<\/strong>, and only shoot at that distance for a month. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            For more inspiration, invest in an ERIC KIM EXPERIENCE<\/a>, or in STREET NOTES MOBILE EDITION<\/a>. Also see more empowering tools in the HAPTIC INDUSTRIES SHOP<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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            ERIC KIM x HENRI NECK STRAP<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

            Above all, know that you have the key to self confidence already — in your own palm. That golden key is hidden in your front shirt pocket, you just don’t know it. So friend, fly high– no limits.<\/p>\n

            \"\"
            Paris, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

            BE STRONG,
            \nERIC<\/p>\n

            \n

            STREET PHOTOGRAPHY 101<\/a><\/h1>\n

            \"Tokyo,<\/p>\n

            If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re new to street photography, start here:<\/p>\n