A Deli Icon for National Reuben Day and My St. Patrick’s Day Favorite
March 14 – National Reuben Sandwich Day
A true deli icon. My photograph of a Reuben sandwich—layered with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing on crispy grilled rye. A sandwich with history, tracing its roots to early 20th-century America. Some say it was created in Omaha during a late-night poker game in the 1920s, while others credit Reuben’s Delicatessen in New York City. Either way, it’s been a staple for over a century.
And with St. Patrick’s Day around the corner, this is my way to enjoy corned beef, instead of corned beef and cabbage, which I don’t like a lot!
See more of my food photography and other intriguing photo projects at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
Ruffles Have Ridges: A Crisp Drop for National Potato Chip Day
Today, March 14th, is National Potato Chip Day—celebrating the snack that’s been crunching since 1853. Americans eat over 1.85 billion pounds of chips a year, but Ruffles stand apart. Since 1958, their signature ridges have delivered extra crunch, extra flavor, and a chip built for serious dipping.
🎥 Watch as “Ruffles Have Ridges” in action—dropping onto the black background, catching the light, and landing with crisp perfection.
See more of my food photography and intriguing projects at SecondFocus.com Thanks!
The Evolution of Meatballs: Celebrating National Meatball Day
My photograph of Meatballs for today, National Meatball Day!
While the exact origins of National Meatball Day are unclear, it’s believed to have started in the United States as a way for restaurants and meatball enthusiasts to celebrate this comfort food. Over the years, the holiday has grown in popularity, with eateries offering specials and home cooks sharing their favorite recipes.
In Italy, meatballs—known as polpette—are typically small, made from a blend of pork, beef, or veal mixed with breadcrumbs, garlic, and Parmesan. Unlike the American tradition, they’re rarely served with pasta, instead enjoyed on their own or in broths.
When Italian immigrants arrived in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they adapted their recipes to the abundance of meat available, creating larger meatballs paired with spaghetti and marinara sauce—an entirely American invention. The meatball sub soon followed, packed with marinara and melted cheese, becoming a deli staple.
See more of my Food Photography and intriguing photo shoots on my website at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
McDonald’s Hash Browns: A Fast-Food Icon
Happy National Hash Brown Day! McDonald’s hash browns have been a breakfast favorite since their introduction in 1977. These golden, crispy patties are made from grated russet potatoes, offering a satisfying crunch on the outside and a fluffy interior. Each hash brown contains 140 calories, making it a popular choice to complement breakfast sandwiches or enjoy on its own.
Over the years, McDonald’s has played a significant role in shaping the fast-food breakfast landscape. As of 2024, McDonald’s holds approximately 34.8% of the U.S. breakfast market share, leading the industry ahead of competitors like Starbucks (16%) and Dunkin’ Donuts (14.3%).
However, recent price increases have sparked customer feedback. In some locations, the price of a single hash brown has risen to over $3, leading to discussions about affordability. McDonald’s CEO has acknowledged these concerns, emphasizing the company’s commitment to maintaining value for customers. I will say that by using the McDonald’s app to order, I personally saved $16 buying this stack of 20 to photograph.
McDonald’s hash browns remain an iconic breakfast item, symbolizing the brand’s influence on morning routines nationwide. Visit my website for more of my delicious Food Photographs and other intriguing photography. Thanks! http://SecondFocus.com
Celebrating National Oreo Cookie Day: A Look at the World’s Best-Selling Cookie Through My Lens
It’s National Oreo Cookie Day! Since their debut in 1912, Oreo cookies have become the world’s best-selling cookie, with over 34 billion consumed annually across more than 100 countries. Originally created by the National Biscuit Company (now Nabisco), the first Oreos sold for just 25 cents a pound. From the classic chocolate and creme combo to countless limited-edition flavors, Oreos have cemented their place as a global snack icon.
My photograph captures a pile of these beloved cookies, showcasing their signature design and creamy filling against a deep black background. Explore more of my food photographs and other intriguing projects on my website at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
National Pizza Day x Super Bowl Sunday—A Perfect Pairing 🍕🏈
Today marks the rare overlap of National Pizza Day and Super Bowl Sunday, two occasions that bring people together—one for the love of football and the other for the love of pizza.
Pepperoni pizza isn’t just a favorite; it’s the most popular pizza in the U.S. While pizza’s origins go back to Naples, Italy, it evolved into something uniquely American when it arrived in the States. By the mid-20th century, the combination of crispy, spicy pepperoni and melted cheese became the go-to order, cementing its place in food culture.
One company played a major role in making pepperoni pizza a household staple: Domino’s. What started as a small operation in 1960 grew into the largest pizza chain in both the U.S. and the world, delivering millions of pizzas every day.
My photograph captures a fresh Domino’s pepperoni pizza—golden crust, bubbling cheese, and plenty of pepperoni, set against my signature black background. It’s a simple yet timeless image of the world’s favorite pizza on a day when millions will be enjoying a slice.
See more of my food photography and other work at SecondFocus.com
National Tater Tot Day: A Classic Fast-Food Favorite
Tater tots are more than just a side dish—they’re an American fast-food icon. Originally created by Ore-Ida in 1953 as a way to repurpose leftover potato scraps, tater tots quickly found their way into school cafeterias, diners, and eventually, fast-food chains.
One of the biggest champions of tater tots has been Sonic Drive-In, which has served them since at least the 1960s. Unlike many fast-food chains that focus solely on fries, Sonic made tots a signature menu item, offering them plain or loaded with cheese, bacon, ranch, or chili. Their crisp texture and deep-fried appeal make them the perfect companion to burgers, hot dogs, and milkshakes.
To mark National Tater Tot Day, I photographed Sonic’s signature tater tots, capturing their rich golden-brown color and crispy edges against a dramatic black background. You can see this shot and more of my food photography at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
What’s your favorite way to enjoy tater tots? Let me know in the comments.
A Look at Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers with their Cane’s Sauce are a staple for many fans of fast food. This Louisiana-based chain started in 1996, built on the idea of focusing on one thing and doing it well—chicken fingers. Founder Todd Graves not only launched a successful business but also created National Chicken Finger Day, celebrated every year on July 27, as a way to highlight this simple, satisfying meal. See this more of my food photography and much more on my website at SecondFocus.com.
National Fast Food Day!
Fast food has become a cornerstone of modern dining—fast, affordable, and familiar. No brand represents this phenomenon better than McDonald’s, and at the center of their menu is the Big Mac.
First introduced in 1967, the Big Mac has become a global symbol of fast food. With its two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and sesame seed bun, it’s a recipe so well-known that it has become part of pop culture.
For National Fast Food Day, I wanted to capture the essence of this icon. My latest photograph showcases a pile of Big Macs against a stark black background. The image highlights the layers and textures that have made this burger instantly recognizable.
Fast food often represents more than just a quick meal—it’s a cultural experience, a shared memory, and a symbol of indulgence. Today, we celebrate its most famous ambassador: the Big Mac.
What’s your favorite fast food memory? Share it in the comments! More of my Food Photography on my website at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
Big Tacos
Excited to share that my photograph “Big Tacos” is featured in the “Off The Wall” exhibition at the Artists Center at the Galen in Palm Desert, California! The exhibition is open now through December 8, 2024.
Join us for the opening reception on **Thursday, November 14th, from 4–6 PM**. The Artists Center is a stunning, museum-standard space, formerly the East campus of the Palm Springs Art Museum. Hope to see you there—thank you for your support!
Happy National Chocolate Day!
Today, we’re celebrating what many call mankind’s greatest culinary invention—chocolate! And what better way to honor it than with a look at the world’s best-selling candy bar: **Snickers**. First created in 1930 by Mars Inc. and named after the Mars family’s favorite horse, Snickers has been satisfying cravings for nearly a century. With layers of chocolate, creamy caramel, crunchy peanuts, and nougat, it’s no wonder it’s America’s top choice and the world’s best selling candy ba
Check out this shot and head over to http://SecondFocus.com to see more of my food photography and much more!
Giant Taco Alert
When it comes to big and delicious, these “Giant Tacos” at Crazy Coyote Tacos live up to their name and then some. This is three of these massive tacos loaded… it’s a lot of food. Hidden away in an easy-to-miss shack of a building at the end of the road by Morongo Outlet Mall, this spot has been serving outdoor drive -up food for 25 years. If you know, you know… and if you don’t, you need to find out. My Food Photography and more on my website at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
Burger Box
Proud to share the latest in my Fast Food photography series. Burger Box, established in 1954, is the oldest restaurant in the Coachella Valley. A true roadside gem with outdoor window service that even featured a gas station back in the day. Pictured here are their iconic double cheeseburgers, cheeseburgers with pastrami, and freshly made fries, all grilled to order and served in simple brown bags. The taste and aroma bring back the nostalgia of an era that’s fast disappearing. Sadly, this beloved spot will be closing its doors at the end of the month. For more of my food photography, visit http://SecondFocus.com. Thanks!
Arby’s Classic Roast Beef
Watch as six Arby’s Classic Roast Beef Sandwiches rotate on a platform, showcasing the simple yet iconic design of this sandwich. Founded in 1964 by brothers Forrest and Leroy Raffel, Arby’s name actually stands for ‘Raffel Brothers,’ not ‘roast beef’ as many believe. There are approximately 3,500 Arby’s fast food restaurants worldwide. My Food Photography and much more on my website at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
National Taco Day!
Happy National Taco Day! 
This celebration now falls on the first Tuesday in October, instead of October 4th, so it could align with Taco Tuesday. Perfect timing, right?
Tacos have a rich history dating back centuries in Mexico, where they began as simple street food for workers, featuring soft corn tortillas filled with flavorful meats, veggies, and salsas. Fun fact: the word “taco” may have come from 18th-century Mexican silver miners who used “taco” to describe the little explosives they used to extract ore. Since then, tacos have evolved into a global favorite!
Celebrate with your favorite taco—whether it’s classic carnitas, spicy al pastor, or a veggie twist—and check out more of my food photography at http://SecondFocus.com And this photograph will be shown at the Artists Center at the Galen in Palm Desert later this year. Thanks!
Rotating Pickles
20 Minutes Microwave?
Getting ready for dinner. My best guess… 20 minutes microwave? My future as a food photographer.
OK Now What?
We got this far. Now what is the next step? Microwave?
That is why I am the photographer.
SecondFocus Blog 