{"id":73461,"date":"2017-12-16T05:59:31","date_gmt":"2017-12-16T13:59:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=73461"},"modified":"2017-12-16T05:59:31","modified_gmt":"2017-12-16T13:59:31","slug":"artistic-freedom-over-financial-freedom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/12\/16\/artistic-freedom-over-financial-freedom\/","title":{"rendered":"Artistic Freedom Over Financial Freedom"},"content":{"rendered":"

True happiness: artistic freedom, not financial freedom.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

What will we do once we have \u00e2\u20ac\u0153financial freedom\u00e2\u20ac\u009d?<\/h2>\n
\"Silhouette
Silhouette of man, rooftop bar in Hanoi.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Many of us are misled \u00e2\u20ac\u201d we think that true happiness will come from \u00e2\u20ac\u0153financial freedom\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d whatever that means.<\/p>\n

We fantasize about having \u00e2\u20ac\u0153passive income\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d being able to sit on our butts, and just let the money roll in.<\/p>\n

But \u00e2\u20ac\u201d once we achieve \u00e2\u20ac\u0153financial freedom\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d what would we do with our time?<\/p>\n

Financial freedom is boring<\/h2>\n
\"\"
Fog. Sapa, Vietnam<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We think \u00e2\u20ac\u201d perhaps, I can finally pursue my hobbies, do a little traveling, eat good food, and buy some fancy toys.<\/p>\n

But \u00e2\u20ac\u201d trust me, once you get to that point \u00e2\u20ac\u201d you will just be bored. And to be frank, I think boredom is probably the worst feeling in humans.<\/p>\n

Artistic freedom is happiness<\/h2>\n
\"Face
Face tattoo man, Downtown LA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My suggestion: seek artistic freedom over \u00e2\u20ac\u0153financial freedom\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.<\/p>\n

\n Artistic freedom: having the freedom to make whatever art you want.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

When I lost my artistic freedom<\/h2>\n
\"Kid
Kid and dad and ice cream knife<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This is what I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve discovered:<\/p>\n

\n You become an \u00e2\u20ac\u0153influencer\u00e2\u20ac\u009d by getting lots of followers and likes. Then, you get sponsored with free gear, cameras, phones. Then, you get some money from these companies. Then, you lose personal artistic freedom \u00e2\u20ac\u201d you are afraid of losing these privileges, so you start to compromise your artistic vision, and you lose freedom of what you want to talk about.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Let me give you an example \u00e2\u20ac\u201d in the past when I got free phones from Samsung, I would be afraid of losing my privilege of getting free phones. Therefore, either consciously or subconsciously \u00e2\u20ac\u201d I wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t 100% honest with my opinion on Samsung phones. I would be afraid to say that I thought that iPhones were better. I lost control over my honest opinion.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Or when I got free cameras from Fujifilm \u00e2\u20ac\u201d I would be afraid to try shooting other digital cameras \u00e2\u20ac\u201d because I was afraid of losing my privilege of getting free cameras. And who can say no to free?<\/p>\n

What do I really want?<\/h2>\n
\"Suit
Suit and graffiti<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sorry, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m getting off topic.<\/p>\n

I currently have \u00e2\u20ac\u0153financial freedom\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d I have enough money to pay my living expenses, and food expenses.<\/p>\n

But still \u00e2\u20ac\u201d I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not happy. I still feel restless.<\/p>\n

What do I truly desire? To keep exploring, learning, and sharing what I learned. I want to keep pushing my artistic boundaries. I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need more money, although having more money is always beneficial \u00e2\u20ac\u201d to use the money to empower my family, and help me be more generous.<\/p>\n

Enough is never enough<\/h2>\n
\"Suits
Suits and can<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I think this is a truth:<\/p>\n

\n No matter how much money you have, you will never feel 100% financially secure or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153free\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I think the secret is to realize and admit that you will never feel 100% financially secure \u00e2\u20ac\u201d and say, screw it \u00e2\u20ac\u201d I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m gonna still live an epic life and make the most beautiful art possible!<\/p>\n

What should I focus on?<\/h2>\n
\"Suit
Suit and orange graffiti<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you already have enough money to pay rent, and food, and own a camera \u00e2\u20ac\u201d you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re in the best possible situation.<\/p>\n

My suggestion: focus all your energy on making the best possible pictures according to your ability, in your own city.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Suit
Suit and NYC subway<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t live a fantasy life of wishing to win the lottery, start a business and life on \u00e2\u20ac\u0153passive income<\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, or none of that.<\/p>\n

Make the photos you desire, now, today.<\/p>\n

Photography Assignment ideas<\/h2>\n
\"Suit
Suit looking at magazine, Kyoto<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
    \n
  1. Shoot one square block of your house. <\/li>\n
  2. Only shoot inside your home. <\/li>\n
  3. Start a self-portrait series<\/a> <\/li>\n
  4. Build your own photography website or blog<\/a>, and organize and edit down your portfolio. <\/li>\n
  5. Start analyzing your own compositions<\/a>, and the compositions of the masters<\/a> \u00e2\u20ac\u201d and internalize composition<\/a>. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    For more assignment ideas, pick up:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. STREET NOTES<\/a><\/li>\n
    2. FILM NOTES<\/a><\/li>\n
    3. PHOTO JOURNAL<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      And to keep it simple<\/a>,<\/p>\n

      JUST SHOOT MORE!<\/p>\n

      ERIC<\/p>\n

      \n

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

      Conquer your fears and meet new peers:<\/p>\n