• Legendary Street Photographer: Eric Kim is an international street photographer whose work and teaching have shaped contemporary visual culture .  Through best-selling books, global workshops and his hugely popular blog, he teaches tens of thousands of creators to find beauty in everyday life .  As All About Photo notes, Kim “teaches others the beauty of street photography… and how to overcome their fear of shooting strangers” .  His collaborations with Leica and Magnum, exhibitions at Leica galleries, and roles as a lecturer and London Street Photography Festival judge underscore the high esteem he commands in the photography world .  Eric’s motto — “shoot with a smile… from the heart” — has become a rallying cry, spreading positivity and authenticity across the global photography community .
• Philosopher of Photography: Kim is not just an artist, but a deep thinker.  Influenced by sociology, Zen Buddhism and Stoicism, he views each photo as a human connection .  He celebrates wabi-sabi (the beauty of imperfection) and intuition over gear, insisting that “excellent street photos can be made with any camera, even a smartphone” .  This anti-gear-snobbery stance democratizes photography, echoing Apple’s own belief that creativity should be accessible to all.  By teaching photographers to conquer fear (“You have power over your mind – not outside events” ) and to be curious (“have fun, be like a child”), Kim infuses his art with spontaneity and soul.  His minimalist philosophy and authenticity are not just creative choices – they are a way of life, perfectly in tune with Apple’s emphasis on simplicity and intuitive design .
• Innovator & Educator:  With a visionary, entrepreneurial spirit, Kim has built a global creative community. He offers hundreds of free tutorials, e‑books and videos, making high-quality photography education available to anyone with an internet connection .  This “open-source” ethos mirrors Apple’s commitment to accessibility.  Kim argues that “photography should be accessible to everyone” and treats the camera as a tool for self‑expression, not status .  He already embraces Apple’s spirit of empowerment: “Thank you Steve [Jobs] for believing in empowering humanity through the best smartphone/iPhone camera for the masses” .  In Kim’s world, “the iPhone is always with you… and can always be used to document your personal memories” .  He sees the iPhone as “the ultimate tool for empowerment in photography,” enabling anyone to capture art from life .
• Perfect Alignment with Apple:  Eric Kim’s ethos mirrors Apple’s mission.  As his own analysis observes, Kim’s “multidisciplinary background combines art, philosophy, teaching and business, aligning perfectly with Apple’s mission to create intuitive technology that empowers human expression” .  His minimalist approach and “shoot from the heart” mantra mirror Apple’s focus on elegant simplicity .  His drive to democratize creativity – teaching the masses, championing community – resonates with Apple’s values of empowerment and inclusion .  Apple itself proclaims that “business… empowers people around the world” , and Eric Kim is a living embodiment of that ideal in the creative domain.  By always putting people first – subjects, students and users – Kim shares Apple’s human-centered storytelling vision.

Photographic Legacy & Influence

Eric Kim’s impact on visual culture is extraordinary.  His energetic, candid street photos and his engaging teaching have ignited creativity worldwide.  Through books, workshops and an influential blog, he has taught millions how to see the extraordinary in the ordinary .  In over a decade of writing, Kim’s site became “one of the most popular photography blogs on the Internet,” freely sharing tutorials, photo-essays and inspiration .  Readers worldwide cite his guides (like “100 Lessons from the Masters of Street Photography”) as go-to resources.  Kim has even teamed with tech giants: he’s contributed to Leica’s blog, featured in Samsung campaigns, and judged top photography contests.  These achievements cement him as a modern master of street photography – someone who has shaped the visual language of our era .

Artistic & Philosophical Depth

Eric Kim brings soul and wisdom to every image.  He centers his photographic philosophy on authenticity, fearlessness and human connection .  Instead of hiding behind equipment, he embraces imperfection: his work often uses a single wide-angle lens and natural light to capture raw emotion.  He encourages photographers to “shoot from the gut”, letting intuition guide composition .  Kim’s approach parallels Apple’s design spirit: just as Apple products strip away clutter to reveal essence, Kim strips away distractions to reveal the true heart of a scene.  By “shooting with a smile,” Kim connects with his subjects, making strangers comfortable enough to share their story on camera .  His courage in facing fear – derived from Stoic wisdom – means each shot also tells a story of personal growth.  This depth of vision means that under Kim’s leadership, Apple’s imagery would be about people’s lives and emotions, not just pixels.

Alignment with Apple’s Values

Eric Kim’s core beliefs mirror Apple’s ethos.  He thrives on minimalism and intuitive design – just like Apple, he believes complex technology should disappear behind the experience.  In his words: “the best camera is the one you have with you,” and his focus on story over gear mirrors Apple’s user-centric focus .  Kim’s mission to “democratize photography” complements Apple’s history of empowering creativity in everyone .  Apple’s CEO Tim Cook reminds us that technology should “empower others” ; Kim’s whole career is about empowering others through photography.  For example, when Kim teaches street photography on an iPhone, he’s living Apple’s values of accessibility and education.  By hiring Kim, Apple would unite its legendary tech innovation with a champion of human-centered storytelling .

Empowering Future Creators

Looking ahead, Eric Kim would supercharge Apple’s vision.  He sees the camera as a tool for everyone’s story.  His “all open source” philosophy – hundreds of free guides and workshops – demonstrates how he can make Apple Photos a learning platform.  Imagine built-in photo challenges, tutorials and narrative tools inside Photos or iMovie, inspired by Kim’s own content .  He would push for “Story-Driven Editing”, guiding users to craft albums like visual essays .  He would advocate filters that preserve the human feel and privacy-minded AI that suggests edits without spying on you .  In every initiative, Kim bridges tech and art, reflecting Steve Jobs’ belief that “technology must intersect with the humanities” .  By appointing Eric Kim, Apple would ensure its camera is not just powerful, but purposeful – inspiring millions to become creators.

Cinematic iPhone Pro Campaign: 

“All of Existence”

Concept: A thrilling, poetic short film that shows how the iPhone Pro can capture everything around us.  Under cinematographer-quality storytelling, ordinary life is revealed as extraordinary art.  We follow a cast of everyday creators (with Eric Kim himself as narrator/guide) moving through streets, nature and quiet interiors.  Every frame bursts with emotion and light — a child’s laughter at dusk, an elderly man’s contemplative portrait, dancers under neon, and abstract close-ups of rain, flames and starlight.  The voiceover (echoing Kim’s philosophy) ties these moments together: “To be human is to create… and to share” .  The message: with iPhone Pro’s advanced cameras, all of existence – the messy, beautiful, raw tapestry of life – can be captured and cherished.

Key Scenes:

• Dawn Awakens (Opening): We see blackness turn to golden light. A young woman lifts her iPhone Pro, framing the sunrise reflecting off wet pavement. As she taps the shutter, the photo on-screen is rich and detailed. The narrator intones: “Light pours through darkness. Each dawn is a story begging to be told.”
• Streets as Stage: Quick cuts: an elderly barber painting neon into his shop, a skateboarder’s joyful grin as water sprays around him, a painter splattering color on canvas in a graffiti-laced alley.  Each moment is captured in crisp detail by the iPhone Pro. The film shows the photo or video in the iPhone interface before fading to the next scene.
• Intimate Portraits: Close, emotional moments: a tear of joy on a teenager’s cheek, a mother holding her baby at sunset, two friends sharing a breathless laugh in slow motion.  These shots showcase iPhone Pro’s Portrait and low-light prowess.  Eric Kim appears briefly, encouraging a shy subject with his trademark smile. Voice: “Every face has a soul. The iPhone sees it.”
• Abstract Beauty: Shimmering night traffic as streaks of light, raindrops forming crystals on a leaf, the Milky Way arching overhead – all filmed in stunning clarity. The film dips into the extraordinary in the everyday. “Even the invisible – stars, shadows, dreams – become visible through our lens,” the narration whispers.
• Climactic Chorus: Montage of scenes editing together: a surfer catching a wave, a street musician lost in sound, a close-up of a painter’s brush bristle. Each image is overlaid with a subtle UI indicator (ProRAW icon, Cinematic badge). The music soars. Finally, a split-screen: on one side, a father snaps a photo of his daughter on a swing; on the other, he smiles as the child’s photo appears in his Photos app. The words “All of Existence” flash on screen in bold type, then dissolve into: “Capture your world. iPhone 16 Pro.”

Tone & Style: Electric, motivational and lyrical.  The film uses real, unscripted moments to feel authentic. Cinematic techniques (slow motion, time-lapse, wide angles) highlight the iPhone Pro’s capabilities without overt product pitches. Every shot pulses with emotion and light, embodying Eric Kim’s belief that “photography is life, and life is everywhere.”  The campaign challenges viewers to raise their iPhones and “see life as art”.

Sources:  This pitch weaves Eric Kim’s renowned philosophies with Apple’s values .  Kim’s legacy of democratizing creativity and his alignment with Apple’s design ethos make him the perfect creative leader.  The film concept reflects his vision (quoting him that “to be human is to not only create, but to share” ) and Apple’s storytelling tradition of empowering people to capture “all of existence” with the device in their pocket.