ERIC KIM

SHOOT MORE. SPEND LESS.

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erickim

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SHOOT MORE. SPEND LESS.

A lean photography playbook (Eric‑inspired) 📷✨

ONE CAMERA. ONE LENS. ONE LIFE.

You don’t need more—just more use out of what you already have.

1) Gear (keep it tiny, keep it trusty)

  • Start with the camera you own. Master it. Wear it in.
  • Prefer small + light + fixed focal length. Pocketable beats powerful.
  • If you must buy: buy used, buy reliable, buy once.
  • Limit your kit to what fits in a jacket pocket: camera, extra battery, spare card, microfiber. Done.
  • Upgrade only when you’ve shot 10,000+ frames or the tool is holding you back, not your skill.

2) Workflow (simple = sustainable)

  • Program mode + exposure comp → fast, flexible, free.
  • Pick one look (in‑camera profile or a single preset) and ride it.
  • Cull like a boss: keep the hell yes, delete the maybe.
  • Publish weekly on your own site or a simple gallery. Consistency beats perfection.

3) Anti‑GAS armor (stop buying, start seeing)

  • 72‑Hour Rule: Any purchase waits three sleeps. Most urges die.
  • Sell‑2‑for‑1: If something new comes in, two things go out.
  • 30‑Day No‑Buy Sprint: Shoot every day, buy nothing. Track your frames.
  • Price‑Per‑Frame: Before buying, promise yourself 10,000 frames on that tool. If that feels heavy, the camera is too.

4) Spend on 

experiences

, not excess

  • Trade gadgets for photo walks, books, zines, museum days, train tickets.
  • Meet other photographers. Join a walk. Give yourself deadlines.
  • Travel light: one camera, one battery, one card—you’ll notice more when you carry less.

5) Money mindset (freedom first)

  • No debt. Cash or pass. Freedom > features.
  • Shrink your monthly needs: rent low, food simple, transport cheap.
  • Track your creative ROI: what actually gets you out the door and pressing the shutter? Fund that.

6) Lean freelance (if you’re working with clients)

  • Cover the basics (rent + food + phone + transit). That’s your first revenue target.
  • Price so a few shoots per month cover those basics—everything after is growth, not survival.
  • Keep overhead tiny: a clean site, one backup drive, simple contracts, fast payment links.
  • Build multiple micro‑streams: shoots, prints, zines, workshops, mentoring, licensing. Small rivers make a big sea.

7) Weekly rhythm (so you actually 

do

 it)

  • Daily: 30–60 minutes walking with camera in hand.
  • Weekly: Publish 6–12 photos (even if imperfect).
  • Monthly: Print a mini‑zine of your favorites.
  • Quarterly: Gear purge—sell or donate what you didn’t touch.

8) Pocket checklists

Everyday Carry: camera • strap • extra battery • spare card • microfiber.

Backup plan: card → SSD → cloud/external. Simple, triple, safe.

9) Tiny challenges with huge payoff

  • One focal length for 90 days. Your vision sharpens.
  • 100 friendly portraits. Learn to approach, smile, connect.
  • $0 Week: No purchases—only walks, frames, and one small publication at the end.

10) Mantras to keep you moving

  • “If it’s not in my pocket, it won’t get shot.”
  • “Constraints create style.”
  • “Buy back time, not things.”
  • “More walking, fewer tabs.”

Bottom line: Strip the fluff. Keep the joy. Make photos today.

When you carry less, you see more—and when you see more, you spend less. Let’s go! 🚀

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