September Awareness Days: Storytelling Prompts For Autumn
If you struggle to know what to write about on your photography blog or on your social media channels, then have you considered using national awareness days as content prompts? If not, I highly recommend it!
There’s nothing worse than staring at a blank screen, knowing that you need to create content to promote your photography, but not having a clue what to write. Right?!
This is when awareness days can prove so valuable. There are many hundreds of awareness days happening each and every year and one hundred or more each month. So, that’s hundreds of potential topics that you could piggyback on as a content idea!
Related: A step-by-step guide to using awareness days in your photo marketing content
Awareness days are invaluable as content prompts
An awareness day based on a particular theme or topic could perhaps be all you need to come up with hundreds of photography marketing content ideas throughout the year.
Used literally as prompts, you might find that the theme of a particular awareness day, awareness week or monthly awareness campaign inspires you and sets the cogs in your brain turning. You might go on to recall a story worth sharing with your audience on that theme or topic, or you may conjure up a memory of an experience that might interest them, for example.
Simply because of the variety of awareness days that are happening each calendar month, I’m confident that if you applied yourself and open your mind to the possibilities of how awareness days might be helpful to you, you’ll be able to make them work for your photography business.
Related: How to use awareness days to inspire photography content ideas
Free calendar of September Awareness Days 2025
If you’re reading this around the time this article was originally published, now’s the time to start creating content for your photography marketing channels for September!
In September, there are many awareness days and campaigns, so I’m confident that you should be able to find some that are relevant and that could inspire content ideas you’ve not thought of yet.
Here’s a list of September awareness days that you might want to look out for in 2024:
Month-long awareness campaigns in September
There are month-long campaigns during September including:
Read a New Book Month
📅 All of September
Encourages everyone to pick up a book they haven’t read before and explore new authors, genres, and ideas.
Secondhand September (Oxfam)
📅 All of September
A campaign promoting the use of secondhand clothing, furniture, and goods to reduce waste and support sustainable living.
Festival of Learning / Have a Go Month
📅 All of September
A month-long celebration of lifelong learning and trying new skills, hobbies, and experiences.
Move More Month
📅 All of September
Encourages people of all ages to incorporate more physical activity into daily life for health and wellbeing.
Self-Care Awareness Month
📅 All of September
Promotes prioritising mental, physical, and emotional health through small daily self-care practices.
Healthy Aging Month
📅 All of September
Focuses on maintaining physical, mental, and social wellbeing as we age.
National Honey Month (UK)
📅 All of September
Celebrates honey, beekeeping, and the importance of pollinators in our ecosystems.
National Sewing Month (US/UK)
📅 All of September
Encourages sewing enthusiasts to explore creativity with fabrics, patterns, and sustainable fashion.
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
📅 All of September
Raises awareness of childhood cancers and supports affected children and their families.
As an example of how some of these could be applied:
Festival of Learning
Being an independent photography business owner, you’re likely on a continual mission of self-development – there is always something to learn, right? So, why not create some content around self-development inspired by this month’s Festival of Learning?
You could share with your audience what you’re doing behind the scenes of your business to develop yourself. For example, talk about what new photography qualifications or professional accreditations you’ve recently gained and the challenges you faced achieving this. Or reveal what you’ve learnt (recently or over the years) about running a business. Perhaps share a tip or some advice which you wish you’d known before.
Or, since it’s Read a New Book Month, share in your marketing content an insight into what book(s) you’ve read this month and what you loved about them. People always love recommendations!
Awareness days and week-long campaigns in September 2025
Now, let’s focus on September awareness days and week-long campaigns. There are many key dates in September, including the following:
*Please note that the dates below apply predominantly to the U.K. in the year 2025, and are subject to change year on year. Although they are correct to the best of my knowledge at the time of publication, please check the dates of any awareness campaigns you plan to use.
Week-long awareness campaigns in September
Know Your Numbers Week (Blood Pressure UK)
📅 2–8 September 2025
Raises awareness of blood pressure, encouraging people to monitor their levels and prevent heart disease and stroke.
Sexual Health Week
📅 9–15 September 2025
Promotes sexual health education, STI testing, and open conversations about safe, healthy relationships.
UK Savings Week
📅 9–15 September 2025
Encourages better financial habits, saving strategies, and personal money management.
Eczema Week
📅 15–21 September 2025
Highlights awareness, understanding, and management of eczema for sufferers and families.
Balance Awareness Week
📅 15–21 September 2025
Focuses on improving physical balance, preventing falls, and promoting mobility, particularly for older adults.
National Coding Week
📅 16–22 September 2025
Celebrates digital skills, coding education, and encourages people of all ages to learn programming.
Great British Beach Clean
📅 20–26 September 2025
Organised by the Marine Conservation Society to tackle marine litter and protect the UK’s coastline.
Migraine Awareness Week
📅 23–29 September 2025
Raises awareness of migraines, their impact, and available treatments for sufferers.
National Eye Health Week
📅 23–29 September 2025
Promotes eye health, regular vision checks, and prevention of eye disease.
World Reflexology Week
📅 23–29 September 2025
Celebrates reflexology as a complementary therapy and promotes holistic wellbeing.
Fire Door Safety Week
📅 23–29 September 2025
Raises awareness of the importance of fire doors in protecting lives and property.
Organ Donation Week
📅 23–29 September 2025
Encourages people to consider organ donation and raise awareness of life-saving transplants.
Bike to School Week
📅 23–29 September 2025
Promotes cycling to school as a healthy, sustainable, and fun alternative to driving.
International Week of Happiness at Work
📅 23–29 September 2025
Focuses on improving wellbeing, positivity, and satisfaction in the workplace globally.
Shetland Wool Week
📅 29 September – 5 October 2025
Celebrates Shetland wool, textiles, and traditional crafts, with events across the UK.
Awareness days in September 2025: A (non-exhaustive) list of key dates
Awareness Days in September
World Letter Writing Day
📅 01 September 2025
Encourages people to connect with others through the art of handwritten letters.
National Wildlife Day
📅 04 September 2025
Celebrates and raises awareness of wildlife conservation globally.
International Day of Charity
📅 05 September 2025
Highlights the importance of charitable giving and volunteer work.
Read a Book Day
📅 06 September 2025
Promotes reading for pleasure, education, and personal growth.
Fight Procrastination Day
📅 06 September 2025
Motivates people to take action and overcome procrastination.
Heritage Open Days (until 15 September)
📅 06–15 September 2025
A UK event offering free access to historic sites and cultural landmarks.
International Literacy Day
📅 08 September 2025
Raises awareness of literacy as a human right and essential skill.
Pension Awareness Day
📅 09 September 2025
Focuses on educating people about planning for financial security in retirement.
World Suicide Prevention Day
📅 10 September 2025
Raises awareness and encourages support for those struggling with mental health.
Swap Ideas Day
📅 10 September 2025
A fun day to share ideas and collaborate creatively.
National Hot Cross Bun Day
📅 11 September 2025
Celebrates the traditional spiced bun often associated with Easter.
No News is Good News Day
📅 11 September 2025
A reminder to enjoy a break from the constant news cycle.
Day of Encouragement
📅 12 September 2025
Encourages people to uplift others with positive words and support.
Roald Dahl Story Day
📅 13 September 2025
Celebrates the life and work of the beloved children’s author.
International Chocolate Day
📅 13 September 2025
A sweet celebration of chocolate around the world.
Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day
📅 13 September 2025
Promotes fun cooking activities for children and family bonding.
Stand Up to Cancer Day
📅 13 September 2025
Raises funds and awareness for cancer research and treatment.
Hug Your Hound Day
📅 14 September 2025
Encourages extra love and attention for your canine companions.
Online Learning Day
📅 15 September 2025
Highlights the benefits and opportunities of e-learning and digital education.
Working Parents Day
📅 16 September 2025
Recognises the efforts and achievements of working parents.
Grandparents Day
📅 16 September 2025
Celebrates the special role of grandparents in families.
National First Love Day
📅 18 September 2025
A nostalgic day to remember and celebrate your first love.
Youth Mental Health Day
📅 19 September 2025
Focuses on mental health awareness and support for young people.
International Day of Peace
📅 21 September 2025
Promotes peace, non-violence, and conflict resolution worldwide.
World Alzheimer’s Day
📅 21 September 2025
Raises awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
World Gratitude Day
📅 21 September 2025
Encourages reflection on gratitude and appreciation in daily life.
Business Women’s Day
📅 22 September 2025
Celebrates the contributions of women in business and entrepreneurship.
Daughter’s Day
📅 22 September 2025
A day to honour daughters and the joy they bring to families.
Dear Diary Day
📅 22 September 2025
Encourages journaling and reflection on personal experiences.
First Day of Autumn (Northern Hemisphere)
📅 22 September 2025
Marks the start of the autumn season.
National Punctuation Day
📅 24 September 2025
Celebrates proper punctuation and its role in clear communication.
World Dream Day
📅 25 September 2025
Inspires people to pursue their dreams and aspirations.
Women’s Health and Fitness Day
📅 25 September 2025
Highlights the importance of fitness and wellbeing for women.
World School Milk Day
📅 25 September 2025
Promotes the benefits of milk in school nutrition programs.
World Contraception Day
📅 26 September 2025
Raises awareness of contraception options and reproductive health.
European Day of Languages
📅 26 September 2025
Encourages language learning and appreciation of linguistic diversity.
World Tourism Day
📅 27 September 2025
Promotes awareness of tourism’s social, cultural, and economic value.
National Doodle Day (Epilepsy Action)
📅 27 September 2025
Raises funds and awareness for epilepsy through art and creativity.
World’s Biggest Coffee Morning
📅 27 September 2025
Macmillan Cancer Support’s annual fundraising event.
Good Neighbour Day
📅 28 September 2025
Celebrates community spirit and helping those around you.
Ask a Stupid Question Day
📅 28 September 2025
Encourages curiosity by reminding us that no question is too silly.
Save Your Photos Day
📅 28 September 2025
A reminder to back up and protect your digital memories.
World Heart Day
📅 29 September 2025
Promotes heart health and awareness of cardiovascular disease.
National Sporting Heritage Day
📅 30 September 2025
Celebrates the history and legacy of sport in the UK.
International Podcast Day
📅 30 September 2025
Recognises podcasts as a powerful medium for communication and storytelling.
How you could use September Awareness days
Now let’s look at some ways that you could intepret these events, days and themes to your photography marketing content:
4th September
Wildlife Day
An obvious one for wildlife photographers! Jump on this if you create and sell wildlife photography, and use it as a prompt to inspire content for your marketing channels.
You could share anything really – for example, your latest work or a story about how you came to be interested in wildlife photography. Alternatively, name-drop your favourite photographers working in this genre or even share stories about the plight of endangered animals to educate and raise awareness of a cause you’re passionate about.
6th September
Read A Book Day
Similar to the Read a New Book Month mentioned above, why not talk about a book you’re currently reading or have recently read in your content on this day? Share a particular quote, story or extract that resonated with you, perhaps in the format of a face-to-camera video or an Instagram story.
10th September
Swap Ideas Day
Do you have a photography business bestie whom you regularly brainstorm business or creative ideas with? Or, perhaps are you part of a photography community which is a supportive group of photographers who help each other out with ideas for your businesses?
If yes, then why not talk about this in your content on this day? It’s always intriguing when you lift the lid and reveal a little bit of the behind-the-scenes of your business.
Share how important this support is to you and how the relationship came about. Talk about (or show) some of the work that has resulted from the swopping of ideas, and also make the time on this day to publicly acknowledge and thank those who support you.
13th September
International Chocolate Day
Food photographers might find this one useful. If you specialise in commercial photography and work with a confectionary brand, then don’t miss this opportunity!
You could reveal some of the photography you have created recently or talk in your marketing content about how it came to be that you work for this particular client. Is there an interesting story there worth sharing? Or, you could give a nod to your client’s latest chocolate range – presumably, you might have tried it for yourself?!
Alternatively, what are the challenges of being a food photographer and working with chocolate products in particular? Why not give an insight into the practicalities of shooting confectionaries and some of the challenges you face when working in the studio?
14th September
Hug Your Hound Day
Also on September 10th is Hug Your Hound Day – yet another chance to talk about your passion for photographing dogs, share photos of you and your own pet, or share pictures of clients with their animals.
Pet and dog photographers, you really are spoilt when it comes to awareness days! There are so many throughout the year that you could use to inspire content ideas.
16th September
Grandparent’s Day
Do you photograph families including grandparents? This then could be a great prompt for you!
You could talk about the importance of capturing family memories including the extended family, and create a video or Reel showing examples from your portfolio. You might even want to create a campaign specifically targeting extended families to coincide with this day – perhaps a special offer on all grandparents’ shoots?
Equally, if you are a grandparent yourself, you could share a personal post talking about your extended family and sharing what you enjoy doing with your grandchild or grandchildren outside of work. Perhaps you go on holiday with your son or daughter and their children every year? Perhaps you’re teaching your teenage grandchild the basics of photography. If this is relevant to you, there’s probably lots you could share!
Working Parent’s Day
September 16th is also Working Parent’s Day. Are you a working parent? What does that look like for you?
A day-in-the-life Reel on Instagram could be a good way of showing what a typical day in your photography business looks like. Or, you could talk about your mission as a business owner and what drives you to succeed – no doubt your family are a key part of that.
30th September
International Podcast Day
Do you love listening to podcasts? Have you been featured on a podcast or are you perhaps even a podcast host yourself?
On International Podcast Day talk about this in your content! If you’re an avid podcast listener, why not share some of your favourite podcasts? You could talk about a number of shows you listen to regularly or particular episodes of a show that you loved. Or, repromote podcast interviews you’ve taken part in or give a plug for your own show!
September awareness days can inspire tons of content
I hope that this may have helped to show you how you can use some of the September awareness days in your marketing content this year.
Of course, these are just some ideas I’ve put together and shared just to give you some quick-fire inspiration on how to apply them to your content. Don’t overthink this!
Remember, there are many more awareness days in September than those listed above. Cherry-pick a few of the September awareness days that speak to you. Interpret them however you wish!
P.S. Keep checking back to this blog for more similar articles. This is the ninth instalment of a monthly blog series that I’m developing, focused on how to use awareness days to come up with content ideas.
Related:
August Awareness Days
July Awareness Days
June Awareness Days
Good luck with your September content planning!
Why not come over to the PR Savvy Photographers Facebook group to let me know which of the September awareness days you’re planning to use as prompts for your marketing content? Let’s bounce some ideas around!
