Life & Work with Bianca Delmar

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bianca Delmar.

Hi Bianca, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
As the first person in my family born outside of Texas, I felt like it was a curse from the beginning. St. Cloud, Florida, was my birthplace (outside of Orlando), followed by the Tampa Bay area for 16 years, and then my favorite city, Austin, Texas, in 2015. Every year from four years old to about 14, I visited my family in Texas during the summer and knew that I would eventually live in the Lone Star State.

After high school, I took a trip with my father to my cousin Madeline’s graduation in Wimberley, and while I was there, I visited the University of Texas in Austin. Standing in front of the tower, looking at the Texas State Capitol, I had my first ever feeling of belonging. Austin was going to be my city.

Through a chaotic childhood, unstable household, abusive partners, terrible retail jobs, I got through my years in Florida, not knowing what I wanted to do when I grew up.

My love for cameras came from capturing, keeping, and reflecting on positive moments. Among all the chaos and lack of love in my life, I needed to find some sort of light to embrace. I could never put my first cheap camera down when I received it. Occasionally, I would borrow my dad’s video camera and record stunts my friends and I would do, inspired by the show, Jackass. Back then, I didn’t consider myself very “creative” but did not realize that creativity has so many forms, and this love for photography would be a creative outlet for my entire life.

When I was 26 years old, I was working a remote position and had the opportunity to move to the ATX, and after much uncertainty (you know… uprooting my whole life to move across the country), I said, let’s do it! My boyfriend at the time (now fiance) and our cat came along for the 18-hour road trip. The first meal we ate after moving to Austin was SLAB BBQ, and from there, my decision was supported and solidified that this was the right place for me.

After eating so many incredible types of food and wanting to document them all, I started photographing food and blogging about it, which became a hobby of mine. People started asking me where the best place was for this or that, and somehow I became a human directory for Austin. Friends really enjoyed hearing my hot takes and passion, so I was encouraged to share them with the world. This was the beginning of the FYI empire.

During this time, I worked a 5-year manager position in communications while posting on social media about food here and there. That was until March 2020 when I was laid off and was able to take this time to focus on helping Austinites figure out where to eat and how to navigate these new social waters. I ended up with a marketing job where I was able to learn a bit but I was ready to work for myself and make an impact.

So, in June of 2021, motivated to help empower local Austin, I quit my full-time job as a social media manager. I started following my dreams as a professional photographer and business owner.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think we all have struggles; it helps shape and mold our passions and drive. I grew up in a household where I had to take care of my parents, leading me to grow up quickly and eventually teaching me to become independent. During this time, I felt unloved, so I ran to anyone who showed me affection, which landed me in two different, terrible, abusive relationships. After realizing I was being used and knew I did not deserve this, I worked up the courage to leave. I developed a hardened exterior, not letting many people in, unable to trust others, which didn’t help me establish and grow new friendships (which I’m still working on).

Fast forward to a more recent time, when I found myself without a job thanks to the pandemic, I knew I needed to help the Austin community as much as possible. So, I wrote a couple of articles on my website, “How To Support Austin Service Industry Through Coronavirus” and “Austin’s Shelter In Place Order – I Read It So You Don’t Have To,” which blew up my page and my following. From there, I dedicated my page to helping local businesses get patrons through their doors (or curbside). The same thing happened during Winter Storm Uri, and I spent my days going through social media at home, trying to find who was open offering food and who had potable water for those who did not have water. Struggles can bring together, build, and strengthen a community.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a professional photographer and business owner. ATX FYI is one of the businesses I run, a media company whose motto is “Empower Local Austin.” I use social media, my website, events, networks, and more as platforms to promote and get the word out about small local businesses in Austin. These categories include restaurants, bars, events, services, and anything Austin!

Something I am proud of is the network I have built so far in this community. Since October, I’ve been hosting my Sunset Boat Cruise series that features one local alcohol title sponsor and supporting local food sponsors. This has introduced smaller local brands to Austinites and visitors, which has been incredible! My next one is Friday, March 11th on the Lone Star Riverboat kicking off SXSW with ATX FYI! (Tickets on my website)

I got into automotive photography because I grew up obsessed with cars, going to many car meets, having fun cars to drive, and loving horsepower. Back in March of 2018, I bought a Sony A6000 with tax return money right before a Texas-based Drag Racing Event, TX2K18, with the idea of wanting to get cool videos and photos on Instagram. Fast forward to today, and I’ve obtained media passes to several racetracks along with paid shoots for RM Sotheby’s, BringATrailer, Cars&Bids, and more.

My skill of photography is also being put-to-use with the umbrella company I use to bring all of these ventures together, Grey Spaces ATX, where I have photographed many different impactful moments. A brand new restaurant and its owner to prepare for their soft opening, Hopdoddy’s new products, Cuvée Coffee’s fall menu, Lammes Candies, and so much more.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I’m not sure if I believe in luck because I believe in God and have faith in Him and His plan. I know that He laughs at the plans we make, and after having the lowest of low times, I learned to Give it To God when life gets hard.

Additionally, I work so damn hard, and for someone to call it luck is almost insulting.

Pricing:

• Business featured on Instagram: Free
• 10 professionally edited images: $250
• 25 professionally edited images: $500

Contact Info:

• Email: Bianca@ATXFYI.com
• Website: https://atxfyi.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atxfyi/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ATXFYI/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ATXFYI
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbch5NqulPaKM5WIjg87gMw
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=xofQ2rg34TbnGTEo0Iwdew
• Other: https://GreySpacesATX.com

Image Credits
Wonderspaces Austin photo: Armando Villareal (@m_a_n_d_o_m_a_n_d_o)