Meet Charlie (Ung) Kim | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Charlie (Ung) Kim and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Charlie (Ung), what makes you happy? Why?
As a photographer, whenever I hold my camera, it fills me up with happiness and gratitude. Just being able to see and capture meaningful moments of happiness, love, or or sadness in just a still frame is one of the most beautiful things about photography. I can preserve the memories one flick at time and be deeply fulfilled.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

All my life I loved taking photos.

I grew up on the seaside in Busan, Korea where I was born and raised. Even growing up and throughout my adulthood, I still find myself living nearby beaches. Places like Oahu, Hawaii, San Jose and Torrance in California,

I go to the beach almost everyday to take photo because I love it there. The colorful skies, the sandy beach, the distinct smell, the animals, and the environment that is there. I feel like the beach is where my destiny lies.

Originally, photography was just something that I did for fun. It all started in photography club in my high school, where I fell in love with taking photos. I was going to go to college for photography, but my parents never let me. It was at this time I stopped taking photos. After I moved to the US, I found myself back into photography. In the US , I was lucky enough to be offered an opportunity that allowed me to pursue it as my career. I also built an Instagram page for the past 7 years, where I have met many like-minded people and found a great community over there.

I am very lucky to have my favorite hobby also as a career because I believe that you should be doing what you love to do.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

One of my favorite spots in the city is Hermosa Beach. It is a beautiful coastal city in California known for its stunning beaches, vibrant atmosphere, and various activities. There are lots of delicious restaurants, cozy cafes, and buzzing bars along Pier Ave. So, if my best friend was visiting, I would definitely take him here.

In the mornings, I will bring him to the beach and show him the famously beautiful skies. Then, we can have delicious brunch at the local cafes. During the day time, we will go surfing. The waves are great, the water is fantastic, and the beach is one of the cleanest in the areas. If it is his lucky day, then we might be able to even swim with dolphins while in the water. Later at nights, one of my favorite places to go to is the Hermosa Beach Pier, where and show him the scenes where La La Land took place. After that, we can grab food will check out The Lighthouse Cafe, another place where La La Land was shot.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

I have to say everyone around me.

First, it is my family for sure. Without encouragement and support of them, my career would not be as meaningful as it is now. They got me to where I am today so I definitely I would like to give a big shoutout to my family.
I want to dedicate a huge shoutout to the people who work with me. And I also appreciate everybody that appears in my photos. Whether I snap a random person in public, in areas like the beach and on the streets, I appreciate every single person that allows me to do what I love. I wish they can see this shoutout  Also, all of my IG followers. A great place to meet new people and share photography interests alike.

Last but not least, my photographer community “Charlie and the Photofactory”. We go to take a photo once a while together and share the knowledge and know-how of photography. Everybody that supports each other in that group really makes my job great.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bkcoffee_photography

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/bkcoffee