Eric Kim’s photography often captures joy in everyday life – like this laughing woman on a Hanoi street – reflecting his belief in finding beauty and meaning in the ordinary.
A Vision Beyond Photography
Eric Kim is not only a prolific street photographer but also a self-styled philosopher who treats photography as a way of life. He often describes photography as more than taking pictures – it’s a life philosophy and mission. In his own words, his “higher mission” is “to advance photography for all, not just the privileged few,” opening up new avenues for creative expression . Everything he shares – from blog posts to workshops – is driven by a big-picture goal of empowering others through photography. He “pours his heart and soul” into serving the global street photography community , making all his knowledge open-source on his popular blog. By freely distributing e-books, articles, and videos, Kim embodies an ethos of sharing wisdom and uplifting others. He even delivered a Talk at Google titled “Eternal Return to Create Every Day,” encouraging creatives to treat each day as a fresh chance to make art . This exemplifies how his vision goes far beyond gear or technique – it’s about using photography as a medium for personal growth, creative living, and human connection.
Core Philosophy: Humanism, Positivity, and Authenticity
At the heart of Eric Kim’s philosophy is a deeply humanistic and optimistic worldview. “People are kind, beautiful, and universal,” he writes – through his street photos he wants to show “the commonality of life,” that we are all more similar than different . This belief in the inherent goodness and unity of people underpins his work. Kim has what he calls “xenophilia,” a love of strangers; he is drawn to engaging with people on the street and hearing their stories . Accordingly, he maintains that anyone interested in street photography “must love people” . He urges photographers to see strangers not as “objects to photograph” but as “real, breathing, living” fellow humans – brothers and sisters we can connect with .
This positive, empathetic outlook translates into photographs that often celebrate joy, resilience, and the beauty of everyday moments. Kim has said he ultimately wants to make photos that make people happy – images that inspire laughter, optimism and human connection . Walking the streets with his camera, he finds excitement in little things others might overlook. “Street photography is all about finding beauty in the mundane” – the small joys of life . He recounts smiling to himself while observing the world, thinking “What a joy it is to be alive, to be a part of society, and to have all these wonderful people to share my life with.” This practice of gratitude and wonder is central to Kim’s philosophy: true happiness, he notes, isn’t about a “fancy life” but about appreciating “the simple things” – a cup of coffee, a hug from a loved one, the chance to make art and share it .
Another core value for Kim is radical authenticity. He constantly encourages photographers to “stay true to yourself, stay bold, and never quit exploring.” There is no single “right way” to shoot – you must “follow your own gut” and shoot what resonates with you . By being authentic and shooting “from the heart,” Kim believes your work will have meaning. He himself writes in an unfiltered, conversational tone (often greeting “Dear friend” in blog posts) and shares personal stories of both successes and failures . This openness models the idea that honesty and individuality are the keys to meaningful photography. Kim’s blog often reminds readers that their own voice and vision – not chasing others’ styles or trends – is what will make their photos special . This empowering message of being 100% yourself in both art and life has made his writing stand out as motivational.
Photography as Life Philosophy and Self-Discovery
Eric Kim famously proclaims that “photography is philosophy” . He views photography as a practical way to seek wisdom and understand life, much like a philosopher does. “To me, photography is poetry with a camera… writing with light,” he says, an act of personal expression and creativity . When Kim writes that “photography is life and death,” he means that through the camera we become more aware of the world and our fleeting time in it . “Photography is about making sense of the world… finding appreciation in the small things in life,” he explains . By slowing down to observe light, shadow, and everyday scenes, we learn to meditate on existence, recognizing that each moment (and photograph) is transient and precious . In this way, photography becomes a mirror for introspection. Kim considers every photographer a seeker: “your job is to discover what you find meaningful and purposeful in life – and share that truth with others.” In other words, the camera is a tool to peel back the layers of your own soul and figure out what you truly care about. The resulting images are imbued with that personal meaning, which can then inspire or speak to viewers.
He often emphasizes photographing that which matters most to you. For example, despite being known for candid street shots, Kim has reflected that “it is more important to photograph your loved ones than strangers.” This revelation led him to create more personal work (like his ongoing “Cindy Project” photographing his wife) and to use the camera to explore his own life journey . He even documented his experience with mortality – taking photos of his late relatives – which taught him to cherish life and “photograph more life” thereafter . These experiences reinforce his view of photography as a path to self-knowledge. Kim produced a Photo Journal workbook to encourage others in “finding personal meaning in your photography and life” , underscoring that the two are deeply intertwined.
Moreover, Kim likens photography to therapy and meditation. “The camera is almost like a self-examining lens… to help self-therapize ourselves,” he writes . When you review your own photos, you may discern your internal state at the time – for instance, he noticed his darker periods reflected in moody projects like “Dark Skies over Tokyo” and brighter moods in work like “Cindy Project” . Thus, the act of shooting and reflecting becomes a way to process emotions and grow emotionally. He suggests using photography to ask yourself questions and express feelings you might not easily put into words. In Kim’s philosophy, photography is introspection: a tool to clarify your values, confront your fears, and ultimately understand yourself better. “Street photography isn’t just a hobby… It is a way of life,” he writes – a way to find beauty and meaning every day, to practice mindfulness (a “walking meditation”), and even to confront our deepest fears .
Fear-Conquering and Empowerment Through the Camera
One of Eric Kim’s most distinctive messages is that photography can be a vehicle for courage and empowerment. He openly admits that he, like many beginners, used to fear photographing strangers. His breakthrough was realizing that “Photography is the ultimate tool to conquer your fears in life, and to empower yourself to live life with more confidence, zest, and courage.” In his teachings, the camera becomes a metaphorical sword and shield – something that gives you permission to be bold. “The camera is a tool of empowerment. With the camera, you enhance your vision of the world… You can see the world more vividly, with more depth… and soul,” Kim enthuses . Simply carrying a camera can embolden you to explore. He notes that having a camera around his neck makes it “less creepy to approach a stranger and have a random conversation” . It provides a socially acceptable pretext to talk to people you find interesting. In fact, Kim believes all photographers are inherently social creatures, using the camera as an excuse to connect. “Street photography… gives us the opportunity and excuse to enter the lives of others… and engage with the world,” ultimately improving our social skills .
Drawing from Stoic philosophy, Kim frames street photography as a practice of facing down fear and discomfort. “To me, street photography is like applied Stoicism and Zen,” he explains . Stoicism comes into play by “conquering the fear of rejection, the fear of what others think” each time you raise your camera at a stranger . Zen comes through “finding peace and calm” in the act, treating street shooting as a form of moving meditation and “self-therapy” . By repeatedly doing what scares you (politely interacting with strangers, photographing in uncomfortable situations), you gradually develop courage, resilience, and confidence – not only as a photographer but as a person. Kim’s workshops are literally titled “Conquer Your Fears and Meet New Peers,” and focus on pushing participants out of their comfort zones. He challenges students with exercises like the 0.7 meter challenge (getting very close to subjects) or collecting 10 stranger “smiles” after being rejected. This “tough-love” approach – “just go for it” despite fear – has become one of his signature teachings . Many readers credit him with giving them the nerve to finally click the shutter with confidence in situations they used to shy away from .
Kim provides practical assignments on his blog to build this bravery and empowerment step by step. For example, he suggests: “Every day, make a photograph that makes you feel uncomfortable. By pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone, you will grow.” Another assignment: wear your camera around your neck everywhere for a month – it trains you to always be ready and to see photographic opportunities in daily life, helping you “find more appreciation in the beauty of the everyday, ordinary, mundane life.” And notably, he tells people to practice self-portraiture (“honor thy selfie”) every day – not out of vanity, but to overcome self-consciousness. Making daily self-portraits, Kim says, “will help empower you by making you feel more comfortable with your physical appearance, and help you conquer any self-doubt.” . All these exercises use photography as a training ground for personal development. The camera becomes a catalyst to become more daring, sociable, and self-assured. As Kim writes, “Photography should be used as a tool for us to be more curious, more brave, and more playful in life… opening up doors for us, not closing them.” When we realize this, taking photos becomes an act of empowerment: we start doing things in life we once feared, whether starting conversations or venturing into new places, because our identity as photographers gives us courage.
Major Writings, Projects, and the ‘Philosopher-God’ Mindset
Throughout his career, Eric Kim has created a rich body of work – books, blog essays, and projects – that encapsulate his “philosopher-god” approach to photography and life. A few standouts include:
- “Learn From the Masters” – an influential free e-book (later a print book) where Kim distilled wisdom from 20 of the great photographers. Each chapter shares philosophical lessons from icons like Henri Cartier-Bresson or Cindy Sherman, with Kim’s commentary on how to apply those lessons. This reflects his belief in seeking wisdom in art; as he puts it, “philosophy is the love of wisdom”, and he avidly studies past masters for insight . The book encourages photographers to become students of both art and life, much as Kim himself merges lessons from photography, literature, and even Stoic texts.
- “Street Photography 101” and List Articles – Kim’s blog features countless tutorials and motivational articles. His famed post “100 Lessons from the Masters of Street Photography” (and other top “tips” lists) break down complex ideas into inspiring, bite-sized advice . Posts like “How to Conquer Your Fear of Shooting Street Photography” directly tackle the mental hurdles of photography with empathy and concrete tips . Another popular essay, “The Zen of Street Photography,” blends Eastern philosophy with shooting techniques, epitomizing his mix of the practical and metaphysical. These writings have been widely shared, helping cement Kim’s reputation as a leading photography educator who is as concerned with “why we shoot” as with “how to shoot” .
- Personal Photo Projects – Kim’s photographic projects themselves mirror his evolving philosophy. Early series like “Suits” or “Only in America” explored societal themes, sometimes with a darker tone. In contrast, his later “Cindy Project,” focusing on candid moments of his wife, and portraits of his family, highlight love, intimacy, and finding one’s muse in everyday life. He has also experimented with street portrait series (asking strangers for photos) which underscore his idea that every person has a story and beauty worth capturing. Across these projects, one sees Kim’s “philosopher-god” mindset: he treats the camera as a tool to create meaning and even a personal legacy. “Every great photo is a fragment of the universe that’ll outlive you,” he suggests – by making images, you create a slice of immortality . This almost spiritual view of art drives him to treat each project as a quest for truth or enlightenment about the human condition.
- **“The Photographer as God” Essay and “God Physiology” – In recent years, Kim has playfully (and provocatively) pushed the envelope of his philosophy with what one might call a “philosopher-god” theme. In an essay titled “The Photographer as God,” he portrays the street photographer as a creator of worlds. When you click the shutter, you are “editing the universe” – choosing one moment out of chaos to give significance . “You’re the Genesis, the ‘Let there be’ that turns randomness into meaning. Every composition is a universe you’ve birthed,” he writes, emphasizing the almost godlike creative power of choosing what reality to frame . With that power comes an ethical dimension: “If you’re God, what kind of God are you?” he asks, urging photographers to be benevolent creators who “lift up the overlooked” rather than voyeurs exploiting subjects . A “true photographer-God,” he says, doesn’t just take images – “they give… They give dignity, meaning, immortality.” In other words, treat your subjects with respect and recognize the responsibility of immortalizing someone’s image. This bold metaphor captures Kim’s almost reverential attitude towards photography: it’s creation, legacy, and truth-finding rolled into one. It’s also delivered in his signature ultra-enthusiastic tone, intended to fire up readers to “shape reality one frame at a time” .
Similarly, Kim’s notion of “God Physiology” takes the empowerment mindset to a physical level. On his blog he champions achieving one’s peak form – not to literally become a deity, but as a metaphor for extreme self-improvement. “To attain God Physiology is to reject mediocrity on a cellular level… You train to become an apex being, a walking monument to discipline, pain, and power,” he writes . In typical fashion, he ties body and mind together: “Your body is your temple… and your loudest idea. You wear your philosophy on your traps… your biceps are scripture.” Here Kim cleverly suggests that one’s physique and habits are a reflection of one’s inner values – strength of body as a mirror of strength of character. While this might seem removed from photography, it’s part of the same continuum in Kim’s world: a call to push past limits, whether creative, mental, or physical. His “philosopher-god” approach essentially urges: Be the philosopher who seeks wisdom and truth, and also be the ‘god’ of your own life – create meaning, overcome limits, and shape your destiny. It’s an audacious mindset, but Kim delivers it with infectious passion and conviction.
An Empowering Legacy
In summary, Eric Kim’s big-picture vision is that photography is a profound tool for self-discovery, personal growth, and empowerment. He has pioneered an approach to street photography that blurs the line between taking pictures and living a purposeful life. His core ideas – love people, stay curious, find beauty everywhere, conquer your fears, and remain true to yourself – form a kind of life philosophy transmitted through the camera lens. Whether through his motivational blog posts, his free e-books and workshops, or his own example of creative living, Kim acts as a mentor-figure, encouraging others to realize their potential. “Street photography is a way of life,” he insists – one that can teach anyone to appreciate each day, connect with humanity, and become more courageous and creative in all endeavors .
The tone of Eric Kim’s writing is relentlessly upbeat and inspiring. He often signs off his posts with exhortations like “BE STRONG” or simply “Smile,” leaving the reader feeling fired-up to grab their camera and tackle the world . By sharing his philosophy so openly, he has empowered thousands of photographers to see themselves as artists and adventurers on a meaningful journey. In Kim’s universe, a camera is not just a device – it’s a passport to richer experiences, a catalyst for personal evolution, and even a means to leave one’s mark on the world. This fusion of photography and life philosophy – delivered in a friendly, motivational tone – has earned him a devoted following. Ultimately, Eric Kim’s ‘philosopher-god’ mindset invites each of us to approach our craft, and our life, with the eyes of a wise child and the heart of a fearless creator. As he encourages: “Shoot street photography for yourself, define street photography for yourself, and remember – wander the streets with a childlike sense of wonder, excitement, and joy.” With that spirit, every click of the shutter can be an act of growth and every photo a step on the path to becoming one’s best self.
Sources: Eric Kim Blog (selected essays and posts) , StreetShootr Interview . (All works by Eric Kim unless otherwise noted.)