{"id":67058,"date":"2017-10-10T10:22:44","date_gmt":"2017-10-10T17:22:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=67058"},"modified":"2017-10-10T10:52:32","modified_gmt":"2017-10-10T17:52:32","slug":"how-to-become-a-self-confident-photographer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/10\/10\/how-to-become-a-self-confident-photographer\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Become a Self-Confident Photographer"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
ERIC KIM x HENRI NECK STRAP<\/a> by HAPTIC<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m the most self-centered, vain, egotistical, and confident photographer I know\u00e2\u20ac\u201d how, and why?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. How I built up my self-confidence<\/h2>\n
\"Kyoto<\/a>
Kyoto Eric Kim Selfie, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My life story:<\/p>\n

I had a good mother. I grew up bullied, and punked by my peers. I was fat. I was called \u00e2\u20ac\u0153gay\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and \u00e2\u20ac\u0153faggot\u00e2\u20ac\u009d on a daily basis. It was essentially my classmates who wanted to feel superior by putting others down.<\/p>\n

For a long time, I took it. I was meek, weak, and insecure.<\/p>\n

But one day I was like,<\/p>\n

\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fuck this. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m taking control of my life. No more excuses.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I started to work out. I did pushups, crunches at home. I ran for miles with rocks in my backpack (I was age 12). I asked my mom to buy me dumbbells, and I started to lift weight.<\/p>\n

I felt liberated… I realized,<\/p>\n

\n I am the master of my destiny.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

2. What tries to kill you motivates you to become stronger, and therefore not die, and therefore to become stronger<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Now that I think about it, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m grateful for being punked and bullied as a child. Why? It encouraged me, or gave me the opportunity to become stronger. I needed a challenge, a barrier, or some sort of struggle to overcome.<\/p>\n

So friend, whatever your life story… know that you have THE POWER TO OVERCOME!<\/p>\n

3. Do you like your own pictures?<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

When it comes to photography and art, life is short. Why care what others think of you? Do you like your own pictures and photos… isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t that enough?<\/p>\n

The greatness of your picture doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t depend on whether others praise it or not. If your picture is a beautiful green emerald, you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need people to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153like\u00e2\u20ac\u009d it to affirm its worth. No. It is still beautiful, regardless whether people praise it or not.<\/p>\n

\"Kyoto,<\/a><\/p>\n

So let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s say you have a picture that you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t upload or share. It can still be a great picture, regardless of what the rest of the world says.<\/p>\n

4. How to be more self-confident in your photography and art<\/h2>\n
\"Walking<\/a>
Walking woman. Kyoto street photograph, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To become a more self-confident photographer, some ideas:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t take it too seriously.<\/strong> Treat your photography like play. Have fun. The more fun you have, the less pressure you will have on yourself, the more prolific you will become, and the more you will hustle, make even more<\/em> beautiful pictures, and the more you will continue to creatively thrive.<\/li>\n
  2. Physical fitness:<\/strong> The more physically strong and muscular your body, the more confident you will be as an artist. My ideal photographer is one who is both strong in spirit, and physically. Lose body fat, and put on muscle. Do squats and deadlifts at the gym. Do chin-ups at the playground. Do push-ups or yoga at home. Abstain from sugar, and eat more meat, protein, eggs, veggies, or any other food that gives you power and nutrition.<\/li>\n
  3. Empowering music:<\/strong> Does the music you listen to empower or disempower you? Curate your playlist to excite your muscles, stimulate you to move, and to get to a new creative level.<\/li>\n
  4. Make more art:<\/strong> Andy Warhol has a good quote that says something like, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t worry whether your artwork is good or not. While others are judging whether it is good or not, just make more art\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.<\/li>\n
  5. Share more<\/strong>: Share your pictures and artwork, and then move \u00e2\u20ac\u0153onto the next one.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get stuck in your past work, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re always changing and evolving.<\/li>\n
  6. Ask yourself, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do I like my own pictures?<\/em>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t let anyone superimpose their beliefs, or their opinion on your artwork. If you like your own pictures, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re on the right path as a visual artist.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    BE STRONG and be CREATIVE EVERY DAY!
    \nERIC<\/p>\n

    CREATIVE EVERY DAY: Your New Creative Stimulus ><\/a><\/p>\n

    \n

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

    \"Seoul,<\/p>\n

    Dear friend,<\/p>\n

    If you’re new to photography, start here:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Free Photography Bootcamp<\/a><\/li>\n
    2. The Ultimate Beginner\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Guide to Photography<\/a><\/li>\n
    3. 100 Photography Tips for Beginners<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      \n

      Photography Philosophy<\/a><\/h2>\n