What it is
World Photography Day is observed on 19 August. It is usually linked to 1839, when the French government announced the daguerreotype process and made it available to the public, which is often seen as a milestone in the history of photography.
Today it is a day when photographers, brands and ordinary people share their favourite pictures, tell the stories behind them and run photo challenges.
Symbols: A camera, a lens, a film roll, a polaroid, a photo frame
Emoji: 📸 🎞️ 🌅 🖼️ ✨ 📷
Colours: Black, white, warm gold
Hashtags: #WorldPhotographyDay #PhotographyDay #ShareYourShot #PhotoOfTheDay #BehindTheLens
What to aim for
- Collect user-generated content with a photo contest or challenge
- Show the human side of your brand through real photos and the stories behind them
- Bring in bookings for photo sessions, portraits and travel experiences
Post ideas by format
Post
- Your best photo of the year with a short story: where, how and what happened right before the shot
- A photo contest announcement: theme, rules, deadline, and what the winner receives
Carousel
- “Before and after editing”: original and edited photo side by side, with a note about what changed
- “5 tips for better phone photos”: light, angle, background, one subject, clean lens
Reel / short video
- Hook: “One scene, five angles.” Show the same object photographed in five different ways
- A behind-the-scenes cut of a photo session: setup, shot and the final image
Stories
- A poll: “Phone or camera?” with a link to your photo tips
- A quiz: “Guess where this photo was taken”, with three answer options
Ready-made post examples
Layouts we wrote as examples. Replace the details with your own business before you publish.
Happy World Photography Day! This is the picture we are proudest of: a client’s look from our latest makeup session, shot in soft window light. A good photo starts with good light and a relaxed person in front of the camera. Do you have a favourite portrait? Share it in the comments, we would love to see.
To celebrate World Photography Day, we are holding a travel photo challenge. Post your favourite photo from any trip in the comments with a few words about the place. We will pick our favourite and feature it in our feed with credit to you. Everyone is welcome, from phone snaps to professional shots. Let us see the world through your eyes.
In this short video for World Photography Day we show five habits that improve any phone photo: find soft light, clean the lens, choose a simple background, keep one clear subject and shoot from a slightly different angle. No special equipment is needed. Try these tips on your next walk, post your best result and tell us which tip helped the most.
Meme and trend formats that fit
- Expectation vs reality. Two panels: the dreamy photo you imagined and the real shot with a thumb in the corner. Self-ironic humour about your own photo fails works best.
- Photographer’s struggle. A short clip with a caption about a typical photographer situation, such as asking everyone to freeze for “just one more shot”. Keep it affectionate.
What to avoid
- Do not use clients’ or strangers’ photos without their clear consent; ask before featuring anyone in a contest or post
- Do not use images you do not own; credit the author and respect copyright
- Do not make the contest rules vague: state the deadline, the theme and how the winner is chosen
When to post
- Announce the photo challenge a week ahead so people have time to pick pictures
- On 19 August post your main photo story in the morning and remind people about the contest in Stories
- Within a few days, publish the winners and thank everyone who took part
What to check afterwards
- Number of entries in the contest or challenge
- Saves and shares of the tips carousel or video
- Bookings or enquiries for photo sessions after the day
Add one line about your business: the free generator gives three captions with hashtags for the network you choose. No sign-up.