{"id":668020,"date":"2025-08-24T12:20:27","date_gmt":"2025-08-24T16:20:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=668020"},"modified":"2025-08-24T12:21:16","modified_gmt":"2025-08-24T16:21:16","slug":"how-to-save-money-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2025\/08\/24\/how-to-save-money-5\/","title":{"rendered":"save money in photography"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Key Strategies for Saving Money in Photography<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strategy<\/strong><\/td>Action \/ Insight (Eric\u2019s Advice)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Lean, Pocketable Gear<\/td>Favor affordable, compact cameras (e.g. Ricoh GR II, Fuji X100F). Eric calls the 28\u202fmm Ricoh \u201cbest bang-for-the-buck\u201d street camera . These fit in a pocket and let you shoot more without breaking the bank.<\/td><\/tr>
One Camera, One Lens<\/td>Stick with a single kit to cut complexity. He lives by a \u201cone camera, one lens\u201d workflow \u2013 for example, carrying only a Ricoh GR II on a neck strap \u2013 so you focus on shooting, not gear.<\/td><\/tr>
Buy Experiences, Not Stuff<\/td>Use savings on travel, workshops, or books. Eric advises, \u201cinvest in a cheaper camera, and use the extra money to attend workshops, buy photo books, or travel\u201d .  He sums it up: buy experiences instead of gear, which brings lasting joy.<\/td><\/tr>
Avoid Debt<\/td>Never finance photography purchases. His motto: \u201cMaximum freedom and no debt.\u201d   Always pay cash. Keeping gear inexpensive means never being enslaved by loans or credit cards.<\/td><\/tr>
Minimalist Mindset<\/td>Embrace frugality as \u201csexy.\u201d He proclaims \u201cAscetic is sexy\u201d and \u201cEconomical is sexy,\u201d meaning living simply is empowering . Focus on essentials: own fewer, high-quality items and cut the excess .<\/td><\/tr>
Simplify Workflow<\/td>Reduce technical complexity. Shoot in Program mode and JPEG with a preset (as Eric does) . Keep only the best photos (binary keep-or-ditch) and share on your own site. Less editing and gear fuss means more time shooting (and saving on software\/storage).<\/td><\/tr>
Lean Business Ops<\/td>Cover only your basics first. His rule: \u201cjust cover your rent and food\u201d as a freelancer . Downscale life (no car, cheap housing, simple meals) so you only need a modest income. This minimalist lifestyle lets you survive (and thrive) with lower earnings.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Budget-Friendly Gear Recommendations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Figure: A compact Ricoh GR-series camera \u2013 one of Eric\u2019s favorite pocketable street cameras. Eric Kim champions simple, affordable gear. He notes that the Ricoh GR II (APS-C 28\u202fmm) \u201cis the best bang-for-the-buck camera\u201d for street photography \u2013 its small size and quality let you carry it everywhere and shoot spontaneously.  For a fixed-lens alternative, he praises the Fujifilm X100F: it\u2019s not the cheapest, but \u201cconsidering what you get\u2026 it is the best bang-for-the-buck\u201d camera , with fast AF and superb image quality on a 35\u202fmm equivalent lens.  For film shooters he recommends a Leica M6 with a 35\u202fmm f\/2.5 Voigtlander lens \u2013 a classic, lightweight rangefinder setup \u201conly costs a few hundred bucks\u201d yet delivers sharp results .  Other budget options he mentions include the Panasonic Lumix LX100 (a fast 24\u202fmm micro 4\/3 camera) and even modern smartphones \u2013 all proving you don\u2019t need a $5,000 camera to make great images.  In short, Eric advises: use small, lightweight cameras you already own, rather than chasing the newest heavy gear .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Pocketability: He loves cameras that fit in your hand or pocket.\u00a0 The GR\u00a0II, for example, \u201cfits in your front pocket\u201d . A light kit means you always have it with you, so you shoot more and waste nothing on storage or weight.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Quality over quantity: He often says it\u2019s better to own fewer, higher-quality items .\u00a0 For example, invest in one great lens (like the Voigtlander 35\u202fmm) instead of many mediocre ones, and you\u2019ll use your gear more and not fall prey to \u201cbuy more to be better.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Essential accessories: Even Eric\u2019s accessory picks are budget-friendly: he suggests a simple camera strap and screen protector instead of fancy bags. (See his gear list for examples like a $14 LCD protector.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Minimalist Philosophy & Creative Frugality<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Eric blends minimalism with a joyful, abundance mindset. He repeatedly reminds us that \u201ceconomical is sexy\u201d \u2013 that living frugally isn\u2019t deprivation, but \u201cmaximizing freedom, creativity, and fulfillment\u201d .  Key principles include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Ascetic, not asceticism: He urges a disciplined lifestyle (no extravagance) to amplify freedom. As he writes, choosing the cheaper option can be a \u201ccreative constraint\u201d that makes you more inventive .\u00a0 Owning fewer things means \u201cfewer things own you\u201d \u2013 more control over your time and passion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Mindful consumption: He stresses being thoughtful with resources. \u201cBeing economical doesn\u2019t mean being cheap\u2026it\u2019s about being intentional with your resources,\u201d he explains . For example, rather than cheap gimmicks, he advises buying long-lasting gear that has \u201csoul\u201d .<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Focus on essentials: Minimalism pervades his life (he even wears a simple black outfit daily to eliminate decision fatigue ).\u00a0 He views both photography and life like an \u201cedited photo\u201d: strip out distractions so the core subject stands out .\u00a0 In practice, this means sticking to a core camera\/lens and preset workflows, and not cluttering your process with unnecessary steps.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Creativity under constraints: Eric loves the idea that limited resources spur innovation. He notes \u201ccreativity thrives under constraints\u201d ; there\u2019s \u201cnothing sexier\u201d than doing great work with just a simple camera .\u00a0 For example, he shows that a modest camera plus natural light can yield stunning street shots, proving you don\u2019t need expensive gear or elaborate lighting.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Economy of effort: He preaches \u201cProducerism\u201d \u2013 being happiest when creating (blogs, photos, products) rather than consuming. As he says, \u201cwe are happiest when we are creating and producing, not when we are just consuming and purchasing.\u201d \u00a0 This entrepreneurial spirit means funneling any savings into creative projects (books, workshops, writing) instead of gear piles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      In short, Eric\u2019s philosophy turns minimalism into a positive mantra: \u201cAscetic is sexy\u201d and \u201cEconomical is sexy\u201d . By clearing clutter (of both gear and life), you free creative energy. As he puts it, the goal is \u201cliving intentionally, with purpose, and with clarity\u201d \u2013 focusing on what truly matters .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Avoiding Unnecessary Purchases<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Eric offers many practical tips to beat G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) and curb impulse buys:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Hedonic Adaptation: Recognize that any new gadget will lose its thrill in about 2 weeks . In fact, he realized there\u2019s no long-term benefit to the \u201clatest\u201d \u2013 whether you spend $500 or $5,000, excitement fades the same.\u00a0 So \u201cdoesn\u2019t it make more logical sense to invest in a cheaper camera?\u2026 and use the extra money to attend workshops, buy books, or travel\u201d .\u00a0 In other words: resist the new-shiny-thing trap, and funnel cash into experiences that truly enrich your art.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • More Cameras, More Problems: Owning lots of gear adds stress and decision fatigue . Eric notes \u201cthe more cameras we own, the more we need to charge\u2026 and the less focus we have to master one camera and one lens\u201d . His solution: follow the \u201cone camera, one lens\u201d rule.\u00a0 For every new camera or lens bought, he even suggests selling two others . By actively culling gear, you simplify choices and waste less money on unused equipment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Buy Books, Not Gear: Instead of splurging on gadgets, invest in knowledge. \u201cBuying new gear\u2026won\u2019t make you a better photographer,\u201d he warns .\u00a0 Improvement comes from studying masters (through photo books or learning), not from bigger cameras. His mantra: \u201cBuy books, not gear.\u201d \u00a0 This simple rule shifts spending from fleeting thrills to lasting skills.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Quality Over Quantity: As he says, being frugal doesn\u2019t mean cheap. Rather than chasing cheap, fast fashion, buy quality that lasts (like a well-made jacket vs. two quick-fail ones) . In gear terms, that might mean spending on one excellent lens instead of several mediocre ones. Fewer high-value purchases mean less waste and often lower cost over time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Debt Is the Enemy: Never finance photography gear. Eric bluntly calls \u201cphotography debt\u2026 the devil\u201d and insists on paying cash. Buying on credit not only costs extra interest, it steals freedom. He says, \u201cMaximum freedom and no debt.\u201d Avoiding loans ensures you\u2019re not chained to your gear.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Embrace Contentment: Finally, recognize you\u2019ll never feel fully satisfied by gear alone . Eric recounts buying a Leica M9 expecting lifelong joy, only to find \u201cI still didn\u2019t take as many photos as I thought I would\u201d . The lesson: if a new camera promises utopia, be skeptical. Remind yourself that inspiration comes from within, not from the price tag. This mindset stops endless upgrades.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        By following these guidelines, you learn to question every purchase: \u201cDo I really need this, or would my time and money be better spent otherwise?\u201d  In Eric\u2019s words, fighting G.A.S. means less gear stress and more creative freedom .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Lean Business & Freelance Strategies<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        When running a freelance photography business, Eric\u2019s advice is also famously frugal and practical:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        • Cover Basics First:\u00a0 His number\u2011one mission for any entrepreneur is simply \u201ccover your rent and food.\u201d \u00a0 Don\u2019t aim for million-dollar dreams right away. Like a starving student, strip monthly expenses to the bare minimum: cheap rent, basic meals, no car or luxury bills . This means you only need to earn enough to live, not to impress. As he puts it, \u201cSurvival is first, thriving is second.\u201d . Once you cover necessities, anything extra is a bonus.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Downscale to Scale: Eric urges thinking small to gain freedom. He writes that by \u201creducing or subtracting superfluous things from our life \u2014 rather than trying to \u2018gain\u2019 more\u201d , you suddenly have more independence. In practice this might mean selling your car, moving to a modest neighborhood, or ditching expensive hobbies so you can afford a creative career. The leaner your lifestyle, the less money you need to make, and the more resilient you become.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Invest in Productivity, Not Stuff:\u00a0 Time and attention are your real capital. He echoes, \u201cWe are happiest when we are creating\u2026 not when we are just consuming\u201d . In business, this means spend on things that amplify your productivity or skill (good camera strap, backup drive, online courses) but avoid frivolous buys. Every dollar you save by cutting a needless expense is an extra dollar to put into marketing yourself or upgrading your knowledge.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Multiple Income Streams: Eric built his career on varied efforts (books, workshops, blog, Patreon\/Bitcoin content). While not explicitly a saving tip, it reflects his ethos: create your own future rather than depend on one paycheck. This self-reliant mindset goes hand-in-hand with frugality \u2013 if unexpected expenses arise, multiple small revenues keep you afloat without pricey loans.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Mindset of Abundance: Finally, in business as in life, Eric\u2019s mantra is \u201ceconomical and ascetic is sexy.\u201d By living below your means, you gain financial freedom to make creative choices. You won\u2019t be tied to any one client or project by debt. And in his view, a conscious, low-overhead lifestyle is not just cheaper \u2013 it\u2019s more attractive: it shows confidence and clarity of purpose .<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          Key Takeaway: Eric Kim turns frugality into creativity. By choosing modest, high-quality gear and cutting out excess (both in life and business), he frees up time, money, and mental energy for the art itself . As he cheerfully says, \u201cAscetic is sexy\u201d \u2013 living lean isn\u2019t painful, it\u2019s empowering. Follow his lead: sell what you don\u2019t need, buy only what adds value, and you\u2019ll end up shooting more, learning more, and living more fully than chasing the next gadget ever could.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Sources: Eric Kim\u2019s blog posts and essays on gear and lifestyle (official content as cited).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          Key Strategies for Saving Money in Photography Strategy Action \/ Insight (Eric\u2019s Advice) Lean, Pocketable Gear Favor affordable, compact cameras (e.g. Ricoh GR II, Fuji X100F). Eric calls the 28\u202fmm Ricoh \u201cbest bang-for-the-buck\u201d street camera . These fit in a pocket and let you shoot more without breaking the bank. One Camera, One Lens Stick […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-668020","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-posts"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/668020","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=668020"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/668020\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":668022,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/668020\/revisions\/668022"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=668020"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=668020"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=668020"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}