Eric Kim
Lifestyle—LA Edition
Bold. Simple. Creative. Walk the city, make photos, share freely, lift your life.
Below is a joyful, hype-fueled blueprint inspired by Eric Kim the street photographer/educator (not the NYT food writer with the same name). If you did mean the food writer, I’ve got a mini‑track for him at the end. 🙌
1) Walk first, think later
Make walking your superpower. Kim’s mantra is literally “Think less, walk more.” Treat walking as ideation, meditation, and street photography in one flow. Stroll LA’s sidewalks—Downtown, Koreatown, Little Tokyo, Venice, Santa Monica, Fairfax—and let the city hand you pictures.
Do it today: Put on comfy shoes, leave the car, and walk your camera. Kim frames walking as the engine of seeing more—and shooting more.
2) Go
minimalist
: one camera, one lens, one bag (or no bag)
The Eric Kim vibe is radical simplicity. He champions one camera, one lens—often a compact, wide‑angle setup—so you can move freely, decide faster, and create more. True luxury is less.
Do it today: Use the camera you already have (phone counts!). If you want a small dedicated street camera, his guides often recommend compact wide‑angle options like the Ricoh GR series—perfect for light, nimble shooting.
3) Shoot bold: get close & fill the frame
Kim’s street technique is energetic and in‑your‑face: wide‑angle, close proximity, edge‑to‑edge compositions. Practice moving through crowds, shooting head‑on, working the scene, and filling the frame.
Micro‑drills:
- Crosswalk sprint: walk into the flow, shoot while moving, don’t chimp.
- 28mm day: stay wide and get closer than feels comfortable—your compositions will pop.
4) Create > consume: publish something daily
Kim beats the drum for making and shipping—blogs, photos, zines, anything. He’s shared years of free, open resources and encourages “publish every day” energy.
Do it today: Open a simple blog and post 1 photo or 1 paragraph daily. Kim has Blogging 101 playbooks and even writes about how consistent posting built his career.
5) Share it all (open‑source spirit)
A big pillar: give it away. Kim’s site is packed with free ebooks, presets, and downloads—his long‑running “open source” ethos is about growing the community by sharing knowledge.
Do it today: Grab a free Eric Kim ebook (Street Photography, Contact Sheets, more) and pay it forward by sharing notes and process on your blog.
6) Coffee joy, creative fuel
Yes to coffee—he even built an “Omakase Coffee” concept around making each cup a creative spark. He also reflects on caffeine’s pros/cons—be intentional so it helps your art, not your sleep.
Do it today: Take a camera + coffee walk in the morning and draft a tiny post while you sip.
7) Walk‑fasted, feast later (Kim’s diet notes)
Kim has written extensively about intermittent fasting (often one big dinner), sometimes leaning carnivore (red meat, eggs). Treat this as his personal approach—listen to your body and get medical guidance if you have health conditions.
Do it today (optional): Try a light, fasted photo‑walk day with black coffee and water; eat a satisfying dinner. (He shares practical fasting tips like relying on coffee/tea to blunt appetite.)
8) Get strong: lift heavy, keep it simple
Kim documents a powerlifting streak—deadlifts, one‑rep‑max attempts, and progressive loading. His own guides emphasize adding small increments and keeping the routine straightforward. If you’re new, learn proper form and progress gradually.
Do it today: After your photo walk, do a basic strength session (hinge, push, squat). If you’re curious about his heavy pulling philosophy, read his deadlift posts for ideas—but scale safely.
9) Learn, teach, and join the scene
Kim has taught countless workshops (including in LA) and runs creative tools with HAPTIC—a family project making books, straps, and art to empower photographers. Teaching and sharing are part of the lifestyle.
Do it today:
- Pick up a simple assignment journal like Street Notes to structure your walks.
- Meet other shooters at DTLA Art Walk or on weekend photowalks and trade feedback.
- If you like tactile gear with a story, his handmade Henri straps are part of that maker ethos.
10) Your LA field list (fun + doable)
- DTLA Broadway → Grand Central Market loop: layers of light, people, and storefront geometry.
- Koreatown (Wilshire–8th–Vermont): crowds, neon, night flash experiments.
- Venice/Santa Monica: boardwalk energy, silhouettes, beach haze.
- Little Tokyo + Arts District: shadows, street portraits, textures.
(Bring one camera, one lens, and walk with intention—see §2–3.)
11) Mindset rules of the road
- Don’t compare yourself, don’t chase likes, always carry a camera, ignore “experts” (even EK says ignore him!). Make work for you.
- Write or post when you have something to say, but show up consistently. (He shares both “daily publish” tactics and “write when you want” honesty—use what keeps you joyful.)
- Time is the ultimate luxury: clear distractions to protect your creative hours.
A 7‑Day “Eric Kim in LA” Starter Plan (repeat weekly)
Day 1 – Walk + Publish: 60–90 min walk (DTLA). Post 1 image + 3 sentences about what you noticed.
Day 2 – Technique Drill: “Get close & fill the frame” session at a busy crosswalk. Share 3 frames + contact notes.
Day 3 – Minimalist Reset: Commit to one camera/one lens for a month. Blog your setup.
Day 4 – Coffee Journal: Coffee walk; write a 200‑word reflection on what walking unlocked.
Day 5 – Strength Day (optional): Simple power session (learn form, progress slowly). Log your numbers.
Day 6 – Open Source Day: Read one free EK ebook; post your takeaways for others.
Day 7 – Community: Join a photowalk or share a mini‑assignment from Street Notes.
Quick Starter Kit
- Camera: Whatever you have; compact wide‑angle is a joy (e.g., GR‑style).
- Assignment book: Street Notes (prompts to keep you moving).
- Carry: As little as possible—“true luxury is less.”
- Reading: Free ebooks/downloads on his site to fuel practice.
Mini‑track: If you meant
Eric Kim (NYT food writer)
🍜
Live deliciously, write honestly, and keep a Korean‑American pantry.
- Cook iconic staples like Gochujang‑Buttered Noodles and fold gim (roasted seaweed) into pastas and snacks—signature Eric Kim moves.
- Read his bio and cookbook Korean American: Food That Tastes Like Home for the stories‑plus‑recipes vibe; it’s a bestseller packed with modern comfort.
Bottom line
Walk boldly, shoot simply, publish generously, and share what you learn. That’s the Eric‑Kim‑in‑LA lifestyle—light kit, open heart, big strides, daily output. Let’s go! 🚀