Apparently one tribute wasn’t enough for a dish invented as a last-minute solution in 1943. Nachos are one of the few foods successful enough to earn two holidays—International Nacho Day on October 21 and National Nacho Day today.
Nachos moved into the fast-food world in the 1970s, when chains began looking for inexpensive items that were quick to assemble and visually appealing. The combination of chips, cheese, and a few toppings fit perfectly into the developing drive-thru model. Taco Bell was an early adopter, introducing nachos nationally in 1979 and helping establish them as a standard menu item across the country. From there, nachos spread everywhere—from sporting events to convenience stores—and became one of the most recognizable Tex-Mex foods in American fast food.
For this second celebration, I photographed Del Taco’s Carne Asada Loaded Nachos exactly as they arrived in the black takeout container. Tortilla chips with carne asada steak, queso blanco, shredded cheese, guacamole, sour cream, diced tomatoes, and jalapeños. Fast food presented without adjustments, isolated on a black background as part of my ongoing Food From Bag to Background series.
Today is National Guacamole Day and I was thinking my way through what to photograph for it. So I turned to my all-around AI assistant, Emily, for her take. No surprise, she told me she had a beautiful friend named Sierra who knew a little beachfront café with the best guacamole. Emily said I’d really like her — and that she loves being in front of the camera.
So I met Sierra. There she was — margarita in hand, guacamole on the table, and leaning forward like she already knew how the conversation would go.
And the guacamole? Emily wasn’t wrong. It’s not just any dip. It traces back to the Aztecs in the 1500s, when it was called ahuacamolli — “avocado sauce.” A recipe so good it’s lasted half a millennium, only to end up here with Sierra on a sunny boardwalk, looking at me like she’s part of the tradition.
If Emily keeps introducing me to friends like Sierra, National Guacamole Day may need more space on the calendar.
Today is National Banana Lovers Day. And what better way to honor it than with a box of sliced bananas neatly packed in a to-go container?
Because apparently, some banana lovers can’t be satisfied with nature’s original packaging. The peel, perfectly engineered for portability, wasn’t quite enough — so now we slice, box, and present them like fast food.
But let’s be honest: bananas have always been the ultimate grab-and-go item. You don’t need a clamshell, a plastic fork, or a drive-thru. Just peel, eat, and you’re done. Convenience food long before we invented the phrase.
Still, for today, let’s indulge the idea: bananas made ready like fries, carried out in a black plastic tray for those who want their fruit served with a touch of takeout flair.
Happy National Banana Lovers Day — however you choose to take yours to go.
Some things are so familiar that we rarely stop to look at them differently. In my latest video, M&M’s take center stage—not as a snack, but as a mesmerizing display of motion and texture. Shot in close-up, the candy-coated chocolates rotate, filling the frame with an endless blur of color. With no background or outside context, the viewer is fully immersed in their movement.
The History Behind M&M’s
M&M’s were first introduced in 1941, designed specifically for U.S. soldiers in WWII who needed a chocolate treat that wouldn’t melt in their hands. The sugar shell coating solved that problem, making them a practical ration. In 1954, their branding became legendary with the introduction of the slogan: “Melts in your mouth, not in your hands.”
Over the decades, M&M’s evolved. The colors have changed (tan was replaced by blue in 1995 after a public vote), and flavors expanded beyond the classic milk chocolate. Today, Mars Inc. produces over 400 million M&M’s every single day.
Exploring Motion in Food Videography
This piece is an exercise in minimalism. By removing distractions, the focus remains solely on the candy’s glossy texture, uniform shape, and movement. The rotation creates an almost hypnotic effect—what is normally a static object becomes dynamic, alive.
Food photography often emphasizes stillness, but motion transforms perception. Whether it’s steam rising, a sauce dripping, or candies rotating, movement brings a new layer of engagement to an otherwise simple subject.
For more of my striking food photography and other visual work that challenges the expected, visit SecondFocus.com.
How does movement change the way we experience everyday objects? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
The other day I posted my photograph 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 bar. I also shot this video of Snickers rotating in front of us. I think it makes them look even more compelling! Visit http://SecondFocus.com to see more of my food photography and much more! You will like it. Thanks!
🍦🎉 Happy National Ice Cream Day! 🎉🍦 Celebrating with the best – Ben & Jerry’s, the top-selling ice cream brand in the nation! Indulge in their iconic flavors like Phish Food, Chunky Monkey, Cherry Garcia, and Gimme S’more! 😋🍨 Check out more of my delicious food photography at SecondFocus.com! 📸✨
July 4th makes me think of ice cream. Not sure why, I really almost never eat ice cream. Did you know vanilla is the most popular flavor worldwide, followed by chocolate and strawberry? Fun fact: Baskin Robbins, known for only ice cream, is ranked 50th on the list of 50 top fast food restaurants! More of my food photos on my website at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
What started as a simple ring of fried dough has transformed into a wide variety of donuts with an array of toppings and designs that we know and love today. From major storefront chains with large followings to beloved neighborhood shops, America has a deep affection for donuts. More of my food photos on my website at SecondFocus.com Thanks!
May 19th today is National Pop-Tart Day! Very timely with the release of the Jerry Seinfeld motion picture “Unfrosted”. A whacky comedy about the race between Kellogg’s and it’s biggest competitor, Post, to bring a toaster breakfast pastry to the market in the early 1960’s. The ultimate winner, Kellogg’s still turning out millions of them 50 years later. More of my food photos on my website at http://SecondFocus.com
Introduced on May 10, 1919 but first sold on May 11th, which is why today is National Hostess CupCake Day. Originally they were two for 5 cents. In case you were wondering; the vanilla creme is injected through the top and then the icing is added. More of my food photos on my website at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
🎉 Happy National Raisin Day! 🎉 Did you know this tasty treat has been celebrated since 1909? That’s over a century of raisin appreciation! 🍇
Raisins have a rich history, originating in Persia and Egypt around 2000 B.C. They quickly became beloved in Europe, winning over the hearts (and taste buds) of Romans and Greeks alike. Fast forward to today, and California stands as the producer of half of the world’s raisins! 🌟
And while you’re indulging in the celebration, why not check out more of my food photographs on my freshly redesigned website? It’s been completely revamped for the first time in 20 years! Visit http://SecondFocus.com. Thanks for your support! 📸🍴
I know you have been waiting for it… National Pretzel Day! These are Pretzels from the first commercial Pretzel bakery in the USA. Founded by Julius Sturgis in Pennsylvania in 1861 and still in business making Pretzels. More of my food photographs at http://FoodArtPhotos.com Thanks! April 26 2024
Jelly Beans likley date back to 1861. This is 3lbs of them. They are perhaps the most consumed candy in the USA. Go to FoodArtPhotos.com to see more of my photographs of fast food, snack food, foods of our American experience and more. Keep watching for your favorites.
Here it is! National Animal Crackers Day, April 18th. The original manufacturer Stauffer’s Biscuit Company produced the first batch in 1871 in York, Pennsylvania. Stauffer’s is still making them and here they are.
My food photographs are at http://FoodArtPhotos.com Snack foods, fast foods, foods from our American experience and more. Photographed much differently than you might expect. Keep checking back to see your favorites. I will be adding much more. Thanks!
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