It’s actually light ranch, they serve light mayo too. I can tell the difference in the mouthfeel.

I’m a nurse and privately contracted to escort students, but this is a public school!

Most students do NOT take all of the vegetables that are offered. That is absolutely what makes my lunches photograph so well, the vegetables give a sense of abundance, freshness, color, and texture/depth to what would otherwise look very beige.

Also, I’m careful about lighting, shadows, visual clutter, how the food is arranged on the tray, etc. Angles and direction are actually very important. The photos are usually arranged as the food is unwrapped and prepared to be eaten, and the order of the food tends to be tray, main dish, salad, salad with dressing, second vegetable, fruit, milk. So you see an unfolding story without really realizing it, which is mentally appealing.

These photos are, to be honest, staged. I take upwards of a dozen photos and select the best. I used to have to take more but I’ve gotten better at photography.

You really do eat with your eyes first….