Gavin Kim

Where do you live: Seoul, South Korea
Your education: Business Major Bachelors
Describe your art in three words: Tenderness, Imperfection, Love
Your discipline: To make each day count, make it count

Can you tell us more about your journey from the structured world of IT to the creative realm of analog photography? How does your professional background influence your artistic practice?

My first encounter to film photography was quite simple. A friend of mine showed me the new film camera, and it reminded me that there was a vintage one at home, passed down from my parents. That’s how I first started. However, what truly pushed me to actively capture moments through film was my desire to preserve memories with my grandmother, who has since passed away. While I could take countless digital photos and videos on my smartphone, I found myself wanting something more irreplaceable — a tangible way to hold onto the moments we shared.

Working in the IT industry means keeping up with constantly evolving trends, summarizing news, and analyzing business performances — all tasks rooted in efficiency, speed, and data-driven decision-making. It’s a field where being practical and staying ahead of rapid technological shifts is essential. But when it comes to the things I personally value — moments, relationships, and emotions — I choose a different approach. Through analog photography, I intentionally embrace slowness and imperfection, allowing time to unfold naturally.

This contrast between my structured, fast-paced professional life and the thoughtful, deliberate process of film photography shapes my artistic practice. It’s a way of balancing two worlds — using technology to push forward, while using art to hold onto what matters.

Your project is called ‘Ephemeral Moment of Happiness.’ How do you define ‘ephemeral’ moments in your life, and how do you capture them through your camera?

“Ephemeral moments”, to me, are those brief, passing instances that hold emotional weight—like a subtle glance, a fleeting smile, or a shift in light that lasts only for a second. These moments are significant because they often go unnoticed, yet they carry a sense of authenticity and spontaneity. Through photography, I aim to capture these moments by being fully present and observant, anticipating the instant when emotions surface naturally. My work focuses on preserving these temporary flashes of time—not to freeze them, but to highlight their existence and emotional depth. Ultimately, ‘Ephemeral Moment of Happiness’ is about documenting the raw, unscripted side of life, allowing viewers to feel the intensity of a moment that has already passed.

Gavin Kim | Kamo River, Kyoto | 2023

You mention using film and Polaroid cameras during your travels. What does it mean to you to preserve these raw, unaltered moments in a world of constant digital manipulation?

Unlike digital cameras or smartphones, which allow unlimited shots and instant duplication, photos captured with film or Polaroid cameras feel more meaningful to me — a fleeting moment frozen in time, becoming eternal.

With film, there’s a unique anticipation and uncertainty, as you can’t immediately see the results. The process of waiting — from capturing the image to developing the film — adds a sense of excitement and care. This delay encourages me to assign greater significance to each moment and fosters a deeper emotional connection to the photographs.

Of course, there are times when I catch myself becoming overly pragmatic or cynical, making calculated choices to navigate life efficiently. But through film and Polaroid photography, I strive to preserve the transient beauty of a single moment — not just for myself, but to share that sense of wonder with others. It’s my way of holding onto these raw, unaltered slices of life and reminding myself that some moments deserve to linger a little longer in our hearts.

Your photographs convey a sense of warmth and tenderness. How do you choose your subjects and settings to reflect these emotions?

Rather than seeking out special subjects or dramatic settings, I focus on discovering warmth and tenderness in everyday life. Our lives are intricately woven with countless connections and moments of kindness, yet we often become so consumed by the weight of our daily struggles that we overlook these small but meaningful interactions.

My approach to photography isn’t about staging or crafting a perfect scene — it’s about capturing the quiet beauty of ordinary moments that might otherwise go unnoticed. Through my work, I hope to remind people that there is softness and sincerity all around us, even in the most unremarkable moments. By documenting these fragments of everyday tenderness, I want to evoke a sense of warmth — not just in what’s seen, but in what’s felt.

Gavin Kim | Biei, Hokkaido | 2020

What is the role of light and color in your work, and how do you manipulate these elements to evoke specific feelings in the viewer?

Light is the most crucial element in my photography — not artificial lighting, but natural light. It’s an uncontrollable force, ever-changing in its direction, intensity, and tone, shaped entirely by nature’s rhythm. What draws me to natural light is its unpredictability. While I can’t manipulate it, I can embrace it — allowing it to softly dictate the mood and color of each frame. Sometimes it’s a gentle, golden hue that adds warmth to a fleeting moment; other times, it’s a cooler, diffused glow that lends a quiet stillness to a scene.

Rather than forcing a perfect composition, I let the light guide the emotional tone of the photograph. My hope is that this sincerity comes through — that viewers don’t just see the image, but feel the happiness or serenity embedded within it. Light, in this sense, becomes more than an aesthetic choice; it becomes a silent storyteller.

In your statement, you refer to the beauty of fleeting moments. What role do you think capturing these moments plays in our understanding of life and happiness?

I believe everyone should live life as if they are swimming through it, enjoying each moment. This is something I remind myself on a daily basis and strive to put into practice. Even when the world feels overwhelming due to practical concerns, I hope that each person can find happiness anywhere. Rather than constantly raising the threshold for happiness, I wish we could lower it, allowing us to find joy in simple, everyday things. That’s why I’m passionate about capturing fleeting moments and the beauty of ordinary life through my photography. By reflecting on these images, I hope people will realize that even the most mundane, transient moments were, in fact, beautiful. My goal is for everyone to cherish each moment, seeing it as precious and worth remembering.

Do you ever plan to explore digital photography, or do you see yourself exclusively working with analog techniques?

I do take photos with my smartphone as well, but I don’t actively manage or share them through social media or other platforms. While I believe it could be interesting to explore creative projects that blend analog and digital techniques, for now, my focus remains on analog photography.

Despite the time and effort it requires, I find value in the hands-on process — from carefully composing a shot to developing the film. There’s something deeply personal and intentional about analog photography that I want to preserve as I continue my artistic journey.