Miniatures make it better 📸

6 questions with miniature photographer Bart Sasam

A miniaturized version of the Long Center during the Wintertime

Bart’s photos are mostly taken via drone. | Photo by @miniatureatx

Are you ready to see Austin in a whole new perspective?

Bart Sasam, a UT graduate and computer engineering technical writer, has always taken photos as a hobby, but it wasn’t until 2020 that he began sharing his miniaturized portraits of Austin on social media.

A busybody by nature, staying inside due to COVID-19 was difficult for Bart, who spends much of his free time outdoors or volunteering. Sharing photography on his Instagram was a way of spreading some good cheer, and getting him out of his own head.

Three years later, Bart has upgraded his setup and is working to boost his follower count. We talked with Bart about what photography means to him.

A mini-looking tourist ship on Lady Bird Lake — Most of the work to make the images so toy-like involves editing in post.

Obviously, the whole pandemic changed a lot of people’s mindsets — my dad passed away in 2020. It was like, what else can I do? I’ve always volunteered — I’ve probably put in 5,000 hours of volunteering in the past five years with my company. That in itself was like a side job. ... I always just wanted to get more involved and make a difference, so I wanted to see where my photography and art could go in that aspect. Could I make somebody happy? Can I make somebody stop for a second?

Do you have any goals or any places you want to travel this year?

I want to be able to, for one, raise my influence. I went from nobody to 500 (followers), which I’m happy with because if I think about it, I wouldn’t speak to 500 people in an auditorium. This was always a hobby of mine and I really enjoyed the process. So if it grows, it grows, if not, I’ll just keep posting anyway.

FOUR MORE QUESTIONS

Which Austin-based social media account would you like to see us profile next?

LET US KNOW

Click here to have your event featured.

Tuesday, Feb. 14

Signs and Symbols: The Trees are Talking | Now-Sunday, Aug. 13 | Times vary | Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel St., Austin | $8 | This one-woman show features the work of longtime Austin glass artist and painter Rejina Thomas.
Anti-Valentine’s Day | Tuesday, Feb. 14 | 11-12 a.m. | Pluckers Wing Bar, 11066 Pecan Park Blvd., Austin | Cost of purchase | Valentine’s Day isn’t all about hearts and love — it’s also about $1 wings and $2 beer.
Bucket List | Tuesday, Feb. 14 | 9:30 p.m. | Fallout Theater, 616 Lavaca St., Austin | $8-$10 | This paper-based improv show takes your ideas and puts the “awe” in audience participation.

Wednesday, Feb. 15

Free Concert with Michelle Cann | Wednesday, Feb. 15 | 12-1 p.m. | Draylen Mason Music Studio at KMFA, 41 Navasota St., Austin | Free | Enjoy the tunes of Michelle Cann at this free midday concert.

Thursday, Feb. 16

Austin RV Expo | Thursday, Feb. 16-Sunday, Feb. 19 | Times vary | Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin | $6-$10 | Browse through 250,000 sqft of RVs and accessories.
Antoni Porowski: Let’s Do Dinner! | Thursday, Feb. 16 | 7-11:59 p.m. | Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin | $35 | The “Queer Eye” star is in town to demo recipes and answer questions for one night only.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

77º | Morning showers | 46% chance of rain

Edu

UT’s new research discovering a new magma layer of Earth, which lies 100 miles beneath the surface, could help predict earthquakes as scientists learn more about plate tectonics. Read more about Dr. Junlin Hua’s research. (KXAN)

Travel

Copa Airlines will begin offering nonstop service between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Panama City on Thursday, July 6. The airline is the fourth carrier addition to Austin’s airport since 2020. 🛫

Community

Travis County approved a $1.5 million evacuation route out of west Austin neighborhood Steiner Ranch, 10 years after a fire destroyed 20+ homes in the community. With only one major road leading out of the neighborhood, some residents waited more than seven hours to evacuate in the 2011 fire. (KXAN)

Eat

Ever since Egyptian barbecue food truck KG BBQ was nominated for a James Beard Award in January, its sales have nearly doubled. Chef and owner Kareem El-Ghayesh, who opened the truck in October 2022, is looking to open a brick-and-mortar location within the year. (Austin Business Journal)
James Beard Award-winning eatery Nixta Taqueria will debut a limited-edition “sci-fi Tex-Mex” menu this afternoon. The menu, including dishes like tricolor masa bowls, wagyu beef fajitas, duck enchiladas, will only be available until Sunday, Feb. 19. 🌮 (Eater Austin)

Today Is

Valentine’s Day, and if you don’t yet have plans for you and your special someone, check out our list of specially-themed menus around town. Or make a stop at one of ZIKI’s seven locations, which are donating a potion of proceeds to Austin Pets Alive! today. ❤️

Ranked

Austin was named the No. 16 most glamorous city in the US, but it’s No. 1 in our hearts. According to landscaping website LawnStarter, both Dallas and Houston are higher-end places to live, but they don’t hold a candle to the top two spots: New York and Los Angeles. 👠

Shop

What’s getting us through February: Our humidifiers. We love the Levoit Blue Cool Humidifier for its quiet design, multiple mist levels, and how easy it is to clean. Do your skin (not to mention, your houseplants) a favor and up your home hydration.*

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Austinites for hire 🧑‍💻

The City of Austin is hiring

The program is running through July. | Photo by @cinematik

Looking for your next gig?

The City of Austin launched a six-month recruitment campaign to bolster hiring for hard-to-fill positions in the public service sector. The campaign — the largest in the city’s history — began this month and will run through the end of the summer.

Public service job vacancies have remained higher than normal since the pandemic began, but according to city officials, vacancies have fallen by 7% since September. This campaign is a key part of the city’s 2023 budget, which included a 4% pay increase for civilian staff, effective October 2022.

A few quick notes for those considering applying:

Applications do not require cover letters
Flexible schedules and telework is available in certain positions
Paid internships and apprenticeships are in development
Hiring and retention bonuses are in place for high-turnover jobs
Referral bonuses are available for existing employees

Apply here.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Figi.

Editor’s pick: According to our poll last week, Thin Mints are the overwhelming go-to Girl Scout cookie, securing 47% of the vote. Personally, I’m a Caramel deLites kind of girl, which earned 30% of the vote.

Meanwhile, Do-si-dos and Trefoils each garnered 7% of the vote. To each their own.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Here are your (very) last-minute Valentine’s Day ideas.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Laura Figi, London Gibson, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Camille McLeod | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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6 questions with miniature photographer Bart Sasam

What happened in 2020 that made you want to start sharing your photos?

Do you have any goals or any places you want to travel this year?

The City of Austin is hiring