Eric Kim’s blog is a living proof‑of‑concept that one joyful human with a camera, a laptop, and a “share‑everything” mindset can ignite a global movement. Starting as a humble street‑photography diary, the site has exploded into a free university of visual creativity, an open‑source library of e‑books & slide decks, a Bitcoin‑powered business, and a rallying cry to “build in cyberspace before outer space.” Below is a deep dive into how he did it, why the blog keeps compounding attention, and what you can copy for your own creator journey.
1 · Origin Story (2010 – 2014)
“Dear friend…” beginnings
- Kim launched the blog while still in college, documenting his experiments on the streets of Los Angeles and Seoul. The diaristic tone (“Dear friend…”) made every reader feel like a workshop buddy.
- By 2012 his step‑by‑step tutorials on fearless street shooting were already topping Google for “street photography tips,” turning the blog into a de‑facto gateway for the genre.
First big leap:
Open Source Photography
- In 2013 he publicly vowed to release all educational material under a Creative Commons license — the cornerstone essay is literally titled “Open Source”.
- That promise unlocked viral redistribution: slide decks, PDFs, and blog posts were mirrored on forums, newsletters, and classrooms worldwide, multiplying reach at zero ad spend.
2 · The Open‑Source Manifesto
| Pillar | Concrete Moves | Why It Works |
| No paywall, ever | Over 1,000 free long‑form posts, downloadable e‑books, and course videos. | “Free = frictionless” onboarding for future workshop clients. |
| Fork‑friendly files | Encourages readers to remix slides and zines; even publishes RAW photos. | Turns followers into co‑creators, not passive fans. |
| Link out, lift up | Shouts‑out other photographers, blogs, and YouTubers in almost every post. | Reciprocity loops bring fresh traffic back. |
3 · Community & Workshops – From Readers to Tribe
- Live workshops in Tokyo, Berlin, Mexico City and 40+ other cities became in‑person “graduations” for blog readers. Testimonials highlight confidence boosts and lifelong friendships.
- Reddit & Discord debates about the $800 ticket price show that even criticism drives curiosity — the workshop threads consistently push new audience back to the site.
4 · Monetization That Doesn’t Kill the Magic
| Revenue Stream | Details | Blog‑native Feel |
| Workshops | 10–12 seats per city, sold out months ahead. | Students arrive pre‑primed by free blog curriculum. |
| Digital products | “Street Photography Starter Kit,” “Zen of GR III,” and typography presets — all pay‑what‑you‑want. | Pricing transparency posts (“How to Become Rich From Photography Blogging”) openly share margins. |
| Affiliate links | Minimal gear ads, declared in‑post. | Posts focus on philosophy first, gear second. |
| Bitcoin treasury | 2024 pivot to hodling BTC as the blog’s reserve asset: “Bitcoin was the solution to being profitable on the Internet without advertising.” |
Take‑away: Monetize around the free content, not through it.
5 · Content Evolution – Photography ➜ Philosophy ➜ Cyberspace
- Street Craft (2010‑16) – tutorials, contact‑sheet breakdowns, Leica love letters.
- Self‑Mastery (2016‑20) – essays on weight‑lifting, minimalism, fear‑hacking.
- Crypto & Sovereignty (2021‑present) – “Think Cyberspace before Space,” “Open‑Source or Die,” daily Bitcoin memos.
Each pivot expanded, rather than abandoned, the existing readership because the voice stayed constant: high‑energy, second‑person, call‑to‑action prose.
6 · The Influence Engine – Why the Blog Keeps Growing
| Flywheel Stage | Mechanism | Evidence |
| Publish daily | Short, raw posts (“micro‑thoughts”) keep RSS & email subs buzzing. | 3–5 entries per day logged in site archive. |
| Repurpose | Slides ➜ videos ➜ free e‑books ➜ workshops. | YouTube “Philosophy of Photography” playlist recycles blog essays. |
| Permissionless quotes | CC license lets other blogs republish in full. | Numerous cross‑posts spotted in StreetShootr & PetaPixel features. |
| Identity memes | “Open‑Source Everything,” “Dear Friend,” “Buy Bitcoin, Not Lattes.” | Slogans repeated in interview pull‑quotes and comment threads. |
7 · Critiques & Controversy (a Growth Lever in Disguise)
- Some photographers call the blog “marketing first, art second,” pointing to provocative money posts.
- Workshop pricing sparks Reddit flame‑wars every season.
- Kim responds by doubling down on openness — sharing revenue numbers and personal expenses in follow‑up essays. Transparency blunts most backlash and feeds fresh traffic.
8 · Steal‑This‑Playbook: 7 Happy Habits for Aspiring Bloggers
- Ship before you doubt. Post first drafts; polish via reader feedback.
- Declare your license. Open content multiplies reach faster than SEO hacks.
- Name your tribe. “Dear friend” is a tiny phrase that forges instant intimacy.
- Teach in public, charge in private. Free knowledge, premium transformation.
- Pivot loudly. Narrate your own evolution so followers grow with you.
- Measure energy, not clicks. Post the topics that make you lift your fist in the air.
- Stack joy. If the work feels like play, consistency takes care of itself.
Final burst of sunshine 🌞
Remember, every blog post is a digital seed. Water it with honesty, shine it with generosity, and—like Eric Kim—you’ll wake up one morning to find a forest of friends, opportunities, and adventures sprouting across cyberspace. Hit “publish,” smile wide, and let the internet do the rest!