Earlier this week, we told you about the School of Stock, PhotoShelter's new online stock photography educational portal (who knew there was such a demand for images of "senior citizens fishing" and "woman/man weatherproofing doors/windows"?), and to kick things off right the company is asking photographers to save Sunday, July 20, for "Shoot the Day," an event that aims to bring together photographers to share insights and take pictures in key categories. "It's a day when photographers worldwide will be mobilized to go out and, in one swoop, replenish [the pool of available stock photography]" PhotoShelter COO Emily Hickey tells us. "It's something to focus energy and close the gap between buyer demand and what photographers are shooting."

On a global level, Shoot the Day encourages photographers to use July 20 to shoot images in five categories: youth culture, active seniors, families and kids, business and technology, and still life. Why those areas? "We're hearing from [image] buyers that there's just an absolute dearth of high-quality, diverse stock photography in these categories," says PhotoShelter's Andrew Fingerman. Those that upload their Shoot the Day images to PhotoShelter can compete for prizes, recognition, and sales. Meanwhile, the company is inviting New York City-proximal photographers to a "day of demos and dialogue" at Shoot Digital Studios. Photographers can also compete for the chance to be one of 20 selected to spend the day snapping away on fully-equipped, all-expenses paid shoots that Fingerman calls "a photographer's dream."