World Photography Day is celebrated every year on August 19th, but it’s actually part of a 2-week long celebration. World Photography Week takes place from August 12th-August 26th.
It is a worldwide event that honors the art and science of photography, with a new theme each year and an assortment of events, activities, and initiatives.
Let’s explore the history, World Photography Day and World Photography Week 2024, and what events you can take part in.
World Photography Day 2024
World Photography Day 2024 is on August 19th, 2024. You can spread the word, post your photos, and even participate in events from August 12th-August 26th, 2024.
World Photography Day History
The first-ever official World Photography Day took place in 1991, planned and executed by O.P. Sharma in India. He first came up with the idea in 1988, and was initially an India-wide celebration full of in-person events. Since then, the concept has spread across the globe and gained online popularity starting in 2005. Today, it’s a huge annual event celebrated across dozens of countries with events, contests, and simply sharing art.
World Photography Day takes place on August 19th as a nod to the date that the invention of the daguerreotype was first announced. The daguerreotype was invented in 1837, and is one of the first-ever photographic processes.
World Photography Day Activities
World Photography Day is a great chance to learn new skills and connect with other photographers. Because of the day’s worldwide recognition, there are usually plenty of activities, exhibits, and even classes taking place during the day and the weeks surrounding it. Let’s look at some fun ideas to get involved!
- Pocket Tripod’s Camera Roll Contest: Just share a shot from your phone’s camera roll and the story behind it by August 26th, 2024 for a chance to win a bundle of prizes for phone photography.
- Sony Scene’s World Photography Day Competition: Submit a photo inspired by the theme of “Community” by August 29th, 2024 for the chance to win prizes worth over $5,900.
- The Royal Photographic Society’s online exhibition: Peruse the exhibit or submit your own photos by August 24th, 2024, exploring the annual theme of “An Entire Day”.
World Photography Day also features a list of events each year, taking place both in person and online around the world.
World Photography Day Quotes
Check out some of our favorite World Photography Day Quotes to inspire you.
"There is one thing the photograph must contain, the humanity of the moment."
- Robert Frank, photography and documentary filmmaker
"You don't make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved."
- Ansel Adams, renowned American photographer
“Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I’m going to take tomorrow.”
- Imogen Cunningham, renowned American photographer
“Photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place… I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.”
- Elliott Erwitt, French-American photographer
“I’ve always believed that photography is a way to shape human perception.”
- James Balog, American photographer & founder of Earth Vision Institute
“If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn’t need to lug around a camera.”
- Lewis Hine, sociologist and journalist
Frequently Asked Questions
When Is World Photography Day?
World Photography Day is on August 19th every year, part of World Photography Week from August 12th-26th.
Why is World Photography Day celebrated?
World Photography Day is celebrated to remember and appreciate the art of photography. It takes place on August 19th as a nod to the date that the daguerreotype was invented in August 19th, 1837. The first-ever official World Photography Day took place in 1991, starting in India and since becoming a worldwide phenomenon.
What are some ways to participate in World Photography Day?
You can share your photos online with the hashtags #WorldPhotographyDay or #WorldPhotographyWeek. The organization behind the event encourages people to “share a photo on your favorite social media platforms that you've taken that has meaning to you”.
All posts with those hashtags will appear on their website. But those aren’t the only ways to participate, you can also attend exhibitions, enter photography contests, join online workshops, or learn more about photography. There are plenty of photography events to explore, both in-person and online.
Can beginners in photography also participate in World Photography Day activities?
World Photography Day is open to everyone, and the perfect opportunity to share any photo that you’re excited about or get involved in fun activities.
