During the pandemic, while working as a commercial construction superintendent, I often found myself endlessly scrolling through Facebook and Instagram.

As time went on, I noticed how many locally-owned restaurants were struggling. Unlike big chains like McDonald’s, these small businesses didn’t have government bailouts or consistent support. Although people kept sharing posts about supporting local businesses, I felt much of it was performative—real support just wasn’t there.

Amid the lockdown and downtime, I was searching for a way to help. I thought about reviewing local restaurants to give them some much-needed spotlight. I wasn’t sure if it would catch on or if I’d have much impact, but I felt compelled to try.

The first photo I took was at Hurtado BBQ in Arlington. As I wrote the caption, the words just poured out. It felt natural, and I immediately connected with the process. Over time, my Instagram grew beyond anything I could’ve imagined, evolving into what became the “GFB” brand. My mission was always to uplift local restaurants—not criticize them. If I didn’t have something positive to say, I kept it to myself or shared feedback privately with the owner, chef, or team.

For a brief period, I even wrote for the *Dallas Observer*, discovering and sharing some great finds—many of whom I still stay in touch with today. Throughout this process I fell in love with telling the whole story of the people behind the food as well as the food itself. I eventually invested in a camera and, through plenty of trial and error (and some not-so-great photos), taught myself how to shoot and edit food photography.

Now, I’m focused on helping those same local restaurants with professional photography for their social feeds, websites, and marketing.

Take a look through my gallery, and if you’re interested, let’s collaborate to bring your vision to life!