Introduction
Eric Kim is a Korean‑American street photographer, teacher and prolific blogger known for blending practical photography advice with philosophical reflections. Born in San Francisco in 1988, he studied sociology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), co‑founded the university’s photography club and began exploring street photography as a research tool . After being laid off from a tech job in 2011, he turned his hobby into a full‑time career, using workshops, blogs and books to share his approach. Kim describes himself as a “photographer‑philosopher” because he sees photography as a way to explore questions of meaning, fear and self‑development . His philosophy weaves together Stoic resilience, minimalism, open‑source generosity and radical authenticity. This report synthesizes his core ideas, shows how his academic background shapes them and explains how he applies philosophy to his creative practice, lifestyle and business.
Academic Background and Sociological Roots
Kim’s study of sociology at UCLA strongly influences his photography. He co‑founded the UCLA photography club and viewed the camera as a sociological tool . In his biography he notes that street photography is “visual sociology” – a way to understand people and society . This perspective led him to treat street photography not merely as an art form but as a form of social research; his long‑term projects like “Suits”, which critiques corporate culture, and “Only in America”, which highlights poverty and inequality, use candid street images to comment on broader social issues . Studying sociology also taught him to question assumptions and look for underlying structures, traits that later manifested in his blog posts challenging conventional wisdom in photography and life .
Core Philosophical Ideas
Stoic Antifragility and Fear Conquering
A major pillar of Kim’s philosophy is Stoicism, which he discovered through Nassim Taleb’s Antifragile. He states that Stoicism is “probably one of the most useful philosophical models” for everyday life and sets out to write a practical primer . He emphasizes the original meaning of the stoa as a portico where people gathered to think and talk and describes his own modern “stoa” as an outdoor park where he lifted stones and socialized during the COVID‑19 pandemic; he argues that open‑air environments foster friendship and thought, whereas cramped gyms encourage antisocial behaviour . Kim summarizes Stoicism as fear‑conquering: street photography is “99 % conquering your fears” . In the essay “Dread NOT Fear,” he explains that we don’t truly fear things, we dread tasks; facing dread head‑on reduces anxiety . He urges people to treat fear as a compass: if a photo or decision scares you, it is precisely the one you should take . This approach helps him and his students overcome shyness when photographing strangers . Kim also encourages readers to assume that every investment (or photograph) can go to zero; by planning for the worst, anything above zero becomes a bonus .
Spartan Stoic Demigod Ideal
Kim often links Stoic ethics with physical training. In his “My Stoic Beliefs” article, he sketches a “Spartan, Zen Stoic, demigod ideal” – the idea that one should be tall, strong and maintain a low body‑fat percentage . He believes physical fitness is critical for any stoic: he extols walking long distances, eating simply and avoiding alcohol or drugs . This embodied philosophy stems from his view that mind and muscle are one; he treats weightlifting as “mental resistance training,” equating heavy lifts with the Stoic practice of cultivating resilience . By fostering a demigod‑like body and mind, he seeks to become antifragile and to thrive under stress.
Minimalism and Via Negativa
Kim’s philosophy espouses minimalism—both physical and digital. He argues that true luxury is having less, not more . Inspired by Stoic and Cynic thinkers like Diogenes, he writes that owning nothing leads to freedom and happiness . This translates into his photography practice: he advocates carrying only one camera and one lens so that creative energy flows toward image‑making rather than gear decisions . In daily life he practices via negativa (addition by subtraction): he celebrated not owning a phone, calling it the ultimate life hack because smartphones act as addictive “slot machines” and induce fear of missing out . He extends minimalism to digital consumption by recommending an “adblock for the mind” – removing advertising, avoiding malls and getting rid of apps so that mental bandwidth is not hijacked . His mantra “true luxury is negative” underscores that freedom comes from subtracting stresses rather than adding possessions .
Open‑Source Generosity and Community Building
From early in his career Kim championed open‑source photography. In his 2010 essay “My Vision of Open Source Photography,” he likens photography to open‑source software and decries elitism among photographers who have expensive cameras . He wants to “tear down these walls of discrimination and allow photography to be open to all, regardless of the experience, gear, or interests that somebody may have” . He pledged to share all his photographic techniques freely, convert images to black‑and‑white transparently and create a hub where photographers can exchange ideas and critique . This ethos permeates his workshops and blog: he offers free e‑books like The Street Photography Manual and 31 Days to Overcome Your Fear , and he built communities such as the Streettogs Academy to encourage peer learning . This generosity fosters trust and has helped democratize street photography .
Fear as Compass and Small‑Scale Sovereignty
Kim treats fear as a compass: the shot that scares you most is the one you need to take . This principle extends beyond photography to entrepreneurship and investing, where he suggests that bold bets and the willingness to face loss are essential . He also promotes small‑scale sovereignty—the idea that smaller cameras, companies or cars are better because scaling for its own sake breeds fragility . He believes self‑ownership and independence come from staying small, agile and debt‑free, which resonates with his encouragement of self‑entrepreneurship .
Radical Authenticity and Anti‑Perfectionism
Kim advocates radical authenticity in art and life. He counsels photographers to shoot from the heart and make images that bring them joy before sharing them . In his Innovative Ideas summary he argues that embracing imperfection leads to more genuine and spontaneous work and cautions that obsessing over flawless execution stifles creativity . He encourages people to accept mistakes as data for growth and to adopt an iterative life approach, constantly refining through experiment . He sums this up as being a “lifelong beginner,” always curious and willing to learn .
Photolosophy: Photography as Philosophy
The term photolosophy—a portmanteau of “photography” and “philosophy”—is central to Kim’s work. In his 2024 Photolosophy Course introduction he explains that this starter kit is designed to help readers find personal meaning in photography and think critically about why and for whom they shoot. He defines photolosophy as a made‑up word meaning “photography philosophy,” created to help people find purpose in their photography and life. Having experienced the social‑media rat race himself, he warns that chasing likes traps photographers on a treadmill; he challenges them to ask: if you couldn’t share photos on social media, would you still shoot, and what would you photograph. Kim encourages participants to slow down and treat photography as a meditation. He imagines being ninety years old on his deathbed, surrounded by prints of his photos; to avoid regret he focuses on making images of loved ones and everyday life. This theme recurs throughout his blog: he describes photographs as “poetry with light” and an introspective tool to discover what is meaningful . He urges photographers to find beauty in the ordinary and to treat photography as a reminder of life’s impermanence .
Kim also ties photography to existential and even Nietzschean ideas. He sees making a photograph as an act of will to power—a way to exert creative will on the world . He urges photographers to ask: “Why do you take photos? For whom do you shoot? What ultimate meaning does photography give you?” . Photography, in his view, is not passive documentation but a way to shape memory and experience .
Applications to Lifestyle, Business and Creativity
Lifestyle Design and Digital Minimalism
Kim uses philosophy to design a lifestyle focused on freedom and joy. He advocates removing unnecessary commitments and optimizing daily life to save time, such as avoiding long commutes and being adaptable moment by moment. He laments that formerly free activities now require payment, suggesting people must decide what they truly value in a “pay‑to‑play” world. He promotes living off the grid and spending time outdoors; he argues being indoors and sitting in cars is harmful, whereas fresh air and movement enhance health.
Self‑Entrepreneurship and Small‑Scale Independence
Kim encourages self‑entrepreneurship—treating oneself as the CEO of one’s life. He advises individuals to design lifestyles aligned with their passions instead of following conventional career paths . He models this by turning his blog, workshops and e‑books into a sustainable business while retaining independence. He emphasizes that success does not require huge scale; small, agile ventures allow autonomy and reduce fragility .
Personal Projects and Everyday Subject Matter
Kim argues that the most meaningful subject for photography can be one’s own life. His “Cindy Project”—a long‑term series documenting his partner’s daily life—is, in his words, his “most meaningful work” . He teaches that photographers should “photograph what is personal to you,” including family, friends and local neighborhoods . By elevating the mundane, he democratizes subject matter and urges artists not to chase exotic destinations . This philosophy invites amateurs to find art in their own experiences.
Ethical Street Photography and Empathy
Kim promotes an ethical approach to street photography rooted in empathy. He cites the “silver rule”: don’t photograph others in a way you wouldn’t want to be photographed yourself . He encourages interacting with subjects—smiling, talking and even sharing the photo—to humanize people rather than using them as trophies . This stance urges photographers to consider privacy and dignity in an era of ubiquitous cameras, broadening the conversation about ethics in art .
Connections to Major Philosophical Traditions
Kim’s ideas draw from several traditions:
- Stoicism: He cites Seneca, Marcus Aurelius and Diogenes and views Stoicism as a toolkit for conquering fear and building resilience . He summarises stoicism as “life is all upside, no downside” and imagines naming his son Seneca as proof of his admiration .
- Cynicism: Inspired by Diogenes, he promotes living with nothing and rejecting societal conventions .
- Existentialism and Nietzsche: He references Nietzsche’s concept of the will to power, interpreting photography as an act of asserting creative will and encourages each person to become a demigod through physical and mental strength .
- Spartan and Zen traditions: His Spartan, Zen Stoic ideal blends physical austerity with mental clarity, advocating voluntary hardship and simplicity .
Key Publications, Talks and Resources
- Blog Posts and Essays: Kim’s blog (erickimphotography.com) is the primary vessel for his philosophy, featuring essays on Stoicism, minimalism, fear, digital detox, ethics and creativity. Posts such as “My Vision of Open Source Photography” , “Own Nothing” and “Photolosophy Course” outline foundational ideas.
- E‑Books and Courses: He provides free e‑books like The Street Photography Manual and 31 Days to Overcome Your Fear . His open‑source Photolosophy course offers structured guidance on finding meaning in photography.
- Talks: In his Google talk “Eternal Return: Create Every Day,” he urges artists to treat creativity as a daily practice . He frequently lectures on Stoicism, minimalism and photography ethics.
- Community Platforms: Kim co‑founded the Streettogs Academy and encourages collaborative learning. He previously ran ARS Beta, a platform for anonymous photo critique, reflecting his commitment to fair, community‑driven feedback .
Conclusion
Eric Kim’s philosophy is an eclectic blend of Stoic resilience, minimalist living, open‑source generosity and radical authenticity. Rooted in his sociological training, he views photography as a tool for self‑examination and social critique. He teaches that conquering fear—whether on the street or in business—is the gateway to freedom and creativity . His demigod ideal links physical strength to mental toughness, while his via negativa minimalism strips away distractions to reveal what matters most . Through open‑source sharing and community‑building, he democratizes photography and empowers others to pursue their passions . Most importantly, his photolosophy invites artists to ask profound questions about why they create and to use their cameras as instruments for living a more intentional, examined life.