Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Fernandez.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I believe the best things in life come out of boredom. During my senior year at the University of Texas at Austin, I decided to create an Instagram page highlighting my home cooked meals in my dorm and apartment. All I watched after class was the Food Network, so every dish I whipped up, I tried to make it look nice and “sexy” as I would call it. My friends loved the creativity behind my plating and cooking when I would post things onto Facebook, so they encouraged me to make an Instagram page. Once I moved back home, I got tired of my page actually. It seemed very “normal” or perhaps even “basic” to the social media world. So I decided to go through a new route.
Growing up, I have always had an eye for abstract and artistic odd things. I was an artist in high school, and always showed off my creativity in anything hands on that I did, which included cooking. Once I was bored of my original content on @datfoodporn, I had to seek what would make me stand out in my city of Houston let alone the Instagram world. Thus I came to the conclusion to do my “color pop” scheme. Everyone in town has either a good camera, a good eye for things, or a style they are known for so I needed to not only embrace those concepts but to highlight the focus; which is food! All within my phone, I would black out the picture and re-add the color back onto the food so that it will pop out and be the focused item. As far as I am concerned, I am the 1st one in Houston to do such a scheme, and I am proud of that feat. After some time, my page caught the attention of a few food bloggers in town and soon enough I joined in to build my following. From then, my @datfoodporn page became not just an outlet to show food, but to express my artistic eye and emotions.
Has it been a smooth road?
One does not know what tastes good without eating something bad. Much like there is no success without struggle. Growing my page was a long and grueling process. I thought having a few good pics, I would gain instant success and a huge following…NOPE! I had to learn many things from how to make my feed consistent, know when to post, have a unique angle, to know how to engage on social media and so much more. On top of that, I had to balance my hobby and love for food with my day job: being a high school teacher. The life of an educator is much like a restaurant: at times super busy like the lunch rush, to mellow during the mid-day shift, to chaotic at the dinner service. I would go through stretches where I would neglect the page because my priority is to make my kids successful both in and outside of the classroom. I have always advocated balance in my students’ life, because I am a firm believer that a person needs fun in order to function after going through times of stress. Having my page allows me to abide by my words, for after a long day of work I can decompress not only coloring and taking pics of food, but obviously eating it. Eventually after a few years, my routine finally paid off to get my page to where it is at today.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with @datfoodporn – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
@datfoodporn is an Instagram food blog for not only the city of Houston, but anywhere that my travels and stomach lead me to. I am known as the first person in Houston to do a “color pop” style. I like to take dramatic angles, as well as play with my food to create a lasting “foodporn” image with my followers. I am proud that I have been able to keep this niche up for so long, for editing each image does take some time, but the results are always rewarding when I see people out there talk about my style. Despite knowing other accounts all over who do something similar to me, I am proud to be known in my home of Houston in which I am “that guy” who does the colorization of food. And on top of all that, everything is done on my phone. To see people’s reaction when I tell them everything they see is literally in my pocket and at my fingertips is pretty gratifying.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
This question is loaded like a good batch of nachos. I honestly love almost everything about Houston. Being born on the southwest side of town in Alief, I was exposed to the true beauty of Houston: diversity. The food is some of the most authentic and unique, in which I will never go bored or hungry. I can literally drive in any direction and find something really good, from a franchise to a mom and pop shop, there is always something to try. The people are welcoming, giving others that “southern comfort” hospitality that we are known for. And surprisingly I do not mind the traffic (anymore at least), for I know there are many cities that are much worse, and that traffic kind of humbles me and gives me a time to collect myself. I think my only gripe is just the humidity. I feel like I just showered once I step outside for 10 seconds. Good thing for AC right?
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datfoodporn/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/datfoodporn/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/datfoodporn21
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
