- Icelandair seeks a really bad photographer for a paid 10-day Iceland trip in June
- The offer includes travel, accommodation, and US$50,000 for photos and participation
- Applicants should lack photography skills and experience with composition or color
Taking photos on a trip is something most of us do without thinking twice. You see a nice view, take out your phone and hope you've captured the moment just right. Sometimes it works. Other times, the photo turns out shaky, poorly framed or just plain disappointing. Usually, those pictures never make it past your camera roll. But imagine if those not-so-great clicks were actually useful. What if being bad at taking photos could land you a holiday instead? That's exactly the idea Icelandair is playing with - embracing imperfect photography and turning it into an opportunity rather than a mistake.
Shared by Icelandair on Instagram, the post features a newspaper-style cut-out placed prominently in the frame. Designed like a classified ad from the wanted section, the headline reads "Really Bad Photographer Wanted." Beyond the humour, the offer is surprisingly serious, with travel and accommodation expenses covered and US$50,000 offered for photographs, content and participation. The caption of the post reads, "The search for a really bad photographer is on! Do you (not) have what it takes? We want to prove that even the worst photographer can take great photos of Iceland. We need you!"
Also Read: Why Yves Saint Laurent's Jardin Majorelle In Marrakech Is A Must-Visit For Travellers
The description for the wanted job reads as, Paid assignment. In Iceland. Approximately 10-day trip. Accommodation and travel expenses included. Required that the applicant have no photography skills. Preferably bad at framing, not familiar with composition, white balance, colour theory, or image-making in general. Assignment dates are in June. Specific dates negotiable. Apply at: reallybadphotographer.com. This is a serious ad. Only serious candidates please.
Check out the full post below:
The internet was quick to weigh in after the airline shared its now-viral post, and the comment section certainly did not disappoint. Even official brands joined the conversation, with Heathrow Airport commenting, "Ready and waiting for those flash on, through the window, at night masterpieces." One user joked, "Ready and willing to ruin some 35mm film," while another wrote, "Based on every photo my husband has ever taken of me, I think he'd be perfect for this."
Not all reactions were purely light-hearted, though. One comment raised concerns about the campaign, saying, "This is such a fun opportunity but INSANE to pay a bad photographer 50k USD when you have tons of very talented photographers in Iceland already. Just say you don't value the local photographers who have worked years on their craft."
Also Read: Flight Aborts Landing At Paris Airport. Reason: Wedding Fireworks
Others kept the humour going. "This is for all my guys who shoot in A for amateur mode to take it to the next P for professional level," wrote one user. "I knew the time would come when my craft would be needed," joked another. A final comment summed up the playful chaos perfectly: "deletes photography account I VOLUNTEER!"
Sometimes, bad travel photos can lead to surprisingly big opportunities.
