McDonald’s Apple Pie on National Apple Pie Day
Today is National Apple Pie Day, a fitting time to feature one of the most enduring fast food desserts in America—McDonald’s Apple Pie.
First introduced in 1968, McDonald’s Apple Pie was the chain’s first-ever dessert item. Originally deep-fried, it quickly became a fan favorite for its crackling crust and piping-hot filling. In the early 1990s, most U.S. locations switched to a baked version, part of a broader push toward “healthier” options. Despite the change, the pie’s iconic rectangular shape, sugary glaze, and soft apple filling kept it popular across decades.
This photograph, part of my *From Bag to Background* series, captures the pies just as they came—unwrapped and stacked on a deep black background. Some are broken open, revealing the caramelized apple interior, while others remain whole, showcasing the crisp, golden lattice crust. No styling. No props. Just fast food as it really is.
McDonald’s still sells millions of apple pies each year, a testament to their lasting appeal. And while flavors have rotated in and out—cherry, pumpkin, and even taro in some countries—the classic apple pie remains a constant.
See more photos from the series on my website: http://SecondFocus.com
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.
The Crunch Heard Around the World: National Corn Chip Day
A heap of golden, salted corn chips against a deep black background—simple, unfiltered, and bold. Today is National Corn Chip Day, a celebration of a snack with deep roots in both American and Mexican culinary traditions.
A Brief History of the Corn Chip
Corn chips trace their origins back to ancient Mesoamerica, where indigenous cultures used ground maize to create the first versions of masa-based snacks. But the modern corn chip as we know it took off in 1932, when Elmer Doolin bought a fried corn snack recipe from a street vendor in San Antonio, Texas. He refined the process and founded Fritos, turning a humble chip into a mass-produced American staple.
Crunchy, salty, and unmistakably distinct from tortilla chips, corn chips have become a favorite whether eaten alone, smothered in chili, or loaded with toppings in a Frito pie. Their satisfying texture and bold taste have made them a permanent part of snack culture.
My Take on Corn Chips
This image captures corn chips in their raw form—no branding, no distractions, just texture and contrast. The stark black background isolates the subject, highlighting every crisp fold and golden hue. It’s a simple food, yet visually striking.
More Than Just Food Photography
This is just one side of my photography. On my website, you’ll find everything from aviation to x-rated—bold imagery that spans genres and challenges perspectives.
👉 See more at SecondFocus.com.
What’s your favorite way to eat corn chips? Let me know in the comments.
National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day
Today is **National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day**, and here is my photograph of New York-style hot pastrami sandwiches to commemorate the day. Stacked with smoky, tender pastrami on fresh rye bread and topped with vibrant yellow mustard, the essence of a true deli classic.
Pastrami sandwiches have been a favorite since their origins with Eastern European Jewish immigrants who brought this tradition to New York in the late 19th century.
Delis across North America have elevated the pastrami sandwich to iconic status. Katz’s Delicatessen in New York (established 1888) is renowned for its hand-carved pastrami sandwiches. Langer’s in Los Angeles (established 1947) is famous for its #19 sandwich, combining pastrami, coleslaw, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing. Manny’s in Chicago (established 1942) serves oversized pastrami sandwiches, perfectly paired with matzo ball soup. Schwartz’s in Montreal (established 1928) offers its legendary smoked meat sandwiches, a Canadian twist on the pastrami tradition.
To see more of my food photography and evocative imagery, please visit my website at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
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!
Rotating Orange Chicken
The other day I posted a photograph of Panda Express Orange Chicken for National Chinese Food Takeout Day. I also had shot video of the Orange Chicken and I think it is fun. It adds almost a 3-D look to it as it rotates around. There is a video page on my website with more food, flying and fun videos with models I have photographed. Take a look and Thanks! https://www.secondfocus.com/video
National Guacamole Day!
**Happy National Guacamole Day!**
September 16th celebrate this delicious Mexican creation with my vibrant guacamole-inspired artwork! Featuring the rich colors and textures of creamy avocado, tomato, fresh cilantro, and zesty lime, this rotating view honors the roots of guacamole while bringing its flavors to life in a fun tribute to the timeless Mexican dish. See my Food Photography, videos and so more, much better seen, on my website at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
Double Whoppers Three
Hot Times Cool Art
One of my latest Food Photography pieces is on display in the “Hot Times Cool Art” show. 40″x30″ infused on aluminum for a luminescent look. What is it? Well, think a summertime treat. Go take a look! You can see more of my work on my website at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks! At the Artists Center at the Galen in Palm Desert California.
National BLT Day!
National Hot Dog Day!
Hot dogs have come a long way since they were first sold in 1870 at Coney Island. Now, they’re a summer and baseball staple, with 150 million hot dogs eaten every July 4th!
Check out my photo of the original Mustard Dog and Kraut Dog from Wienerschnitzel. Back in the late 1960s, they were just 18 and 21 cents each!
For more delicious food photos, visit: SecondFocus.com
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July 4th Ice Cream
National Onion Day
National Onion Rings Day
Happy National Onion Rings Day, June 22nd The origin of onion rings dates back to 1802, with a recipe called “Fried Onions with Parmesan Cheese” featured in John Mollard’s cookbook, The Art of Cookery Made Easy and Refined. This early recipe recommends slicing onions into 1/2 inch rings, coating them in a batter made of flour, cream, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese, and then deep-frying them in boiling lard.
These onion rings from Sonic Drive-In are consistently ranked as the best among fast food offerings. They have a slightly sweet taste, which comes from an unusual ingredient. Do you know what it is? More of my food photographs on my website at http://SecondFocus.com
National Donut Day Today June 7th
National Hamburger Day
Today May 28, 2024 is National Hamburger Day! It is the USA’s favorite food, followed closely by the Cheeseburger. As I have read, evidence suggests that the Hamburger actually originated here in the USA. It certainly is the mainstay of the entire Fast Food industry. Do you have a guess where this Burger is from? More of my food photographs on my website at SecondFocus.com Thanks!
National Pop-Tart Day!
International Pickle Day
National BBQ Day
National Hostess CupCake Day
National Shrimp Day
National Totally Chipotle Day
Photographed as art and most created without any special presentation or styling. Direct from Bag to Background. More on my website at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
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