Eric Kim is a Korean-American street photographer, educator, and prolific blogger whose work blends practical “how-to” advice with deeper life philosophy . He often calls himself a “photographer-philosopher,” teaching via a high-traffic open-source blog and global workshops. His core message is that photography is far more than a technical craft – it’s a tool for self-expression, mindfulness and personal growth . As one profile notes, Kim “urges photographers to ask ‘Why do you take photos? For whom? What meaning does it give you?’” . In his own words, a photograph is “far more than a picture – it’s an expression of the photographer’s soul and viewpoint” .
Philosophy of Photography
Eric Kim defines photography in broadly human terms. He uses poetic metaphors (e.g. “photography is poetry with light” ) and emphasizes emotional authenticity. He writes that photography is introspection, a way to “discover what you find meaningful and purposeful in life – and share that truth with others.” It’s a means of making sense of the world, of “finding appreciation in the small things in life” and “beauty in the ordinary and mundane” . Photography, he says, is a “meditation on life and death” – a reminder that every moment is transient. In this view, each image is a personal philosophy: as he puts it, “the only stamp of what makes art good or bad is how authentic your art is.”
- Introspection & truth: “Photography is introspection…your job is to discover what you find meaningful and purposeful in life – and share that truth with others.”
- Mindfulness & wonder: “Photography is about making sense of the world…walking slower, looking at things, and finding beauty in the ordinary and mundane.”
- Life & impermanence: “Photography is a meditation on life and death” , forcing us to see that images (and life) are fleeting.
- Authentic expression: He urges photographers to shoot “from the heart” – first creating images that bring them joy, then sharing them. In his e-book he advises: “Always first make photos for yourself, which bring you joy. Then share those photos with others.”
Above all, Kim rejects chasing perfection or external approval. He encourages a bold, honest approach: “Be bold,” he writes in a photography journal, as a daily motto . By framing photography as a personal philosophy, Kim empowers artists to pursue their own vision and values, not merely to mimic trends or seek likes.
Street Photography: Fearlessness and Empathy
Street photography is Kim’s specialty, and he sees it as a democratic, inclusive practice. He notes that today “anything could be street photography – I’m less interested in whether something is quote/unquote street photography or not. It’s whether it makes me excited, whether I could feel it in my heart.” . His definition is broad: street photography can be candid, staged, colorful or monochrome; what matters is honest emotion and storytelling. “I take a more liberal view, and I think that street photography is more inclusive than exclusive,” he told one interviewer .
A key theme is conquering fear. Kim often says street shooting is “90% guts” – approaching strangers on the street triggers anxiety for everyone . Influenced by Stoic philosophy, he calls fear a “compass”: if you’re afraid to photograph someone, that is often a sign you should do it . “Leaning into what scares you is precisely how you grow,” he teaches . In practice, his workshops include exercises (like approaching people very closely) to transform nervousness into confidence.
Equally important is friendliness and empathy. Kim’s motto is to “shoot with a smile, and from the heart,” believing a warm approach yields better pictures . By smiling or even chatting with subjects, he says, he turns each click into a human interaction rather than a secret steal. His style is often described as bold yet empathetic: he’ll get physically close with a wide-angle lens, but always “with respect, humor, and an open heart” .
This friendly courage is central to his teaching. Kim’s energy and no-ego attitude give students permission to overcome shyness. As one profile notes, his “enthusiastic, no-ego” teaching style builds students’ courage to raise their camera and connect with strangers . In interviews he even downplays the notion of “teachers” vs “masters,” saying he sees himself “less of a teacher and more of a facilitator” in guiding others .
Importantly, Kim embraces street photography’s accessibility. He sees smartphones and social media as democratizing forces: “street photography [is] the most democratic form of photography – you don’t need a fancy camera” . Even while he often shoots film with a Leica, he insists there’s “no reason you can’t take a great image with what you have, even an iPhone” . This anti-elitist stance frees newcomers to experiment. (He frequently says: the best camera is already in your hands .)
Finally, Kim’s creative vision extends into social commentary. As a trained sociologist, he photographs the street as “visual anthropology.” His own projects – like the “Suits” series (men in business attire to symbolize feeling trapped in corporate life) or “Only in America” (depicting poverty, racism and inequality) – use street imagery to spark social awareness . These bodies of work underscore his belief that photography can capture and critique real-world issues, elevating ordinary moments into reflections on society.
Minimalism and Simplicity
A hallmark of Kim’s philosophy is minimalism – both in gear and lifestyle. He preaches that “true luxury is less,” advocating traveling light and cutting non-essentials . In practice, he often carries just one camera and one lens; he even quips that the best camera is “the one you have on you” . By owning fewer lenses and gadgets, he argues, a photographer sharpens creativity instead of being paralyzed by choices. As he writes, one of his key street rules is: “the least you really need to carry with yourself is one camera and one lens.” . Kim suggests that for many outings, the best “bag” is none at all – simply tuck film or cards in your pocket and move unencumbered .
He extends minimalism beyond equipment. Kim famously dresses in a simple black outfit daily, underscoring that focus should be on the work, not the wardrobe . He encourages digital decluttering too – for example, uninstalling distracting apps – so that one can “shoot with eyes, not cameras” . In his writing he describes modern life as plagued by “artificial needs” created by advertising (new gadgets, fashions, etc.), and he counsels reducing these by avoiding gear forums, magazines and media. Removing distractions, he notes, often brings more happiness and creativity.
This minimalist approach frees Kim and his followers to create. As he puts it, less stuff means more freedom – both physically (lighter loads on walks) and mentally (fewer choices and anxieties). By keeping gear simple, he says, photographers can be more present on the streets, noticing life instead of fumbling with equipment. In short: carrying “less stuff” lets him focus on making the photograph and enjoying the moment.
Empowerment and Creativity
Empowerment is a through-line in Kim’s vision. He consistently urges photographers to find personal meaning and joy in their art. In his Photography Empowerment Manual, he writes: “If you want to use photography as a tool of empowerment for yourself, this book is for you.” . He encourages artists to pursue what they find meaningful – and reminds us that we make pictures primarily for ourselves. As one passage advises: “Always first make photos for yourself, which bring you joy. Then share those photos with others.” . This humility fosters resilience: Kim warns against seeking praise or likes at the expense of passion. “Photographers who make photos to please their audience…will be massively disappointed,” he notes .
Kim contrasts active versus passive mindsets. Being active – experimenting, shooting daily, sharing work – feels empowering. Being passive – endlessly browsing gear reviews or daydreaming – leaves one feeling stuck. He writes: “To be PASSIVE is to just mindlessly read gear reviews…rather than actively harnessing the opportunities you already have.” . Consequently he asks himself (and readers): “Is this going to make me more active as a photographer, or passive?” . This simple question embodies his belief that empowerment comes from doing, not consuming.
Positivity and growth are also emphasized. Kim wants photography to be fun and joyful. He coins the term “cheerful photographer,” championing optimism in a world of “doom and gloom.” In his manual he insists: “We need to be more cheerful, by making photos that bring a smile to our own face.” . He acknowledges that photojournalism often focuses on hardship, but he poses: “What if we could make more photos that show the joy, optimism, and hope in the world?” . In short, he believes cameras can capture happiness as well as pain.
Creativity is treated like a muscle. In talks and blog posts he urges making art every day. For example, he gave a Google Talk entitled “Eternal Return: Create Every Day,” where he said creativity grows through consistent exercise . He often posts “less-than-perfect” images on his blog, saying “honest imperfection is often more compelling than sterile perfection” . He coined the phrases “always be a beginner” and “lifelong learner” , stressing that every photo outing is an experiment and even a failed frame is useful data for growth.
In summary, Kim’s message is that photography empowers us to confront fears, express ourselves, and find joy. He invites everyone to use the camera boldly: to shoot what scares them, to share their unique perspective, and to keep learning. His motto “BE BOLD” captures this spirit – a call to push personal boundaries in art and life.
Teaching, Community and Open Sharing
A key part of Eric Kim’s vision is giving back. He has built a global community of learners by generously sharing knowledge. His blog (started 2009–2010) has hundreds of posts and free e-books – on topics from composition to overcoming fear – all available at no cost . Kim vows never to charge for information, making his images freely downloadable and offering dozens of free PDF guides like Street Photography Manual or 31 Days to Overcome Your Fear . This open-source ethos, as one profile notes, fosters trust: followers know Kim isn’t hoarding secrets but uplifting them .
Kim engages with his community on social media and forums. He replies to comments and emails, runs a “Street Club” forum for photo critiques, and even organizes online assignments. In person, he teaches energetic, hands-on workshops around the world, from Los Angeles and New York to Tokyo and London . In interviews he emphasizes that his focus is confidence-building: his classes build fundamental skills and encourage students to overcome shyness . He describes himself “less of a teacher and more of a facilitator” who walks beside students on the street to demonstrate and motivate.
His mentorship style is famously enthusiastic and empathetic. Attendees say Kim’s “enthusiastic, no-ego” instruction gives them courage to raise their cameras . He treats followers as collaborators on a creative journey, not customers. Even in tone, his blogs and videos address readers as “dear friend.” This warmth and accessibility – combined with real, tough-love advice – has inspired many photographers to say Kim’s blog was “the spark that got me started.” .
Ironically, Kim is simultaneously active on social media and skeptical of its downsides. He uses YouTube (his “Photolosophy” series) and Instagram challenges to share tips and engage viewers , but he warns against living for likes. In a noted blog essay “Why You Should Delete Your Instagram,” he argues that platforms turn creators into “behavior modification” subjects. He even announced he quit Instagram himself: “I deleted Instagram… and I haven’t used it since. And it has been phenomenal.” . His message is to focus on your own creative platform (like a personal blog) and the joy of making images, rather than chasing followers or filters.
In all, teaching and community are central to Kim’s purpose. He believes in empowering others through education. His vision is not to elevate himself, but to democratize street photography: “Anyone, anywhere can learn his methods,” notes one report . By freely sharing wisdom, mentoring with enthusiasm, and fostering an inclusive network of photographers, Eric Kim lives out his broader life philosophy of generosity, courage and continual learning.
Sources: Eric Kim’s official blog and site (erickimphotography.com), along with published interviews .