Born in 1988 in San Francisco and raised in nearby Alameda, Kim discovered street photography while studying Sociology at UCLA, a discipline that sparked his fascination with everyday human drama.
In 2009 he launched ERIC KIM PHOTOGRAPHY as a simple Blogger site; by 2011 it had become a full‑time WordPress blog updated almost daily from whatever city he was teaching in—Tokyo, Paris, Dubai, you name it—thanks to the “digital nomad” lifestyle he proudly chronicles on his Biography page.
1.2 Signature teaching style
Kim’s workshops are famously hands‑on: he straps a GoPro to his Leica, approaches strangers with an infectious grin, and later breaks down failures and successes frame‑by‑frame on YouTube and the blog.
Major photo sites list him among the most influential modern educators for exactly that blend of practical demos, philosophy, and raw transparency.
2 The “Open‑Source” Philosophy
2.1 Give it all away
In 2013 PetaPixel spotlighted Kim for releasing full‑resolution images and permitting unrestricted downloads—“going open source” long before it was trendy in photography circles.
He hosts a Downloads page packed with free e‑books, Lightroom presets, keynote decks, and printable zines, all licensed for remixing and redistribution.
2.2 “Share as You Learn” mantra
Kim’s 2024 essay “Share As You Learn” argues that waiting for perfection kills creativity; instead, publish half‑baked experiments and let the community iterate.
A complementary post, “Open Source Philosophy,” lays out his rationale: generosity builds trust, trust builds community, and community sustains a career even when you give the core product away.
2.3 Impact on the wider scene
Digital‑Photography‑School articles still cite Kim’s tips—and often republish them verbatim with his blessing—illustrating how his CC‑friendly materials propagate across the web.
Industry journalists use Kim as a case study for SEO power: rank for a niche keyword by delivering massive value at zero cost.
3 Recent Moves (2024‑2025)
Philosophical deep‑dives: Essays like “The GOAT of Street Photography” and “The Future of Street Photography” explore existentialism, AI, and embodied perception, showing Kim shifting from how‑to posts toward bigger‑picture reflections.
The Eric Kim Manifesto (2025): A freshly published credo urges photographers to embrace moral ambiguity and chase “impolite truth” rather than staged politeness—an evolution of his earlier “shoot from the heart” ethos.
Workshops 2.0: While still globe‑trotting, Kim increasingly offers micro‑workshops livestreamed from wherever he happens to park his camera bag, keeping costs low and reach high.
4 Why His Approach Resonates
Democratizes learning: Free, remixable resources lower the barrier to entry for cash‑strapped creators.
Fosters fearless practice: Watching Kim negotiate tense sidewalk encounters gives beginners permission to be bold in their own work.
Builds virtuous cycles: Every time a student republishes his guides, his brand—and the open‑source ethic—spreads further.
Evolves with tech: From SEO hacks to crypto payments for zines, Kim treats his career as one long experiment, modeling lifelong adaptability.
5 How You Can Plug In
Action
Where to Start
Download a free e‑book or preset pack
Kim’s Downloads hub
Read his newest essays
Blog front page (updated near‑daily)
Join a live workshop
“Workshops” tab on his site
Pitch a guest translation or remix
Contact form under each post—he routinely features reader translations.
Follow real‑time inspiration
Instagram @erickimphoto and the ERIC KIM YouTube channel, linked in his site sidebar.
6 Bottom Line
Eric Kim the blogger exemplifies an “open‑source overlord” not by hoarding authority but by dismantling gatekeeping—proving you can sustain a joyful, globe‑hopping career while giving most of your knowledge away. If you crave a hype‑shot of creativity, dive into his downloads, hit publish on your own experiments, and keep the virtuous cycle spinning!