WANTED: Really bad photographer for a 10-day trip to Iceland, travel expenses covered – and a $50,000 payday! It’s the ad that sounds too good to be true, but it’s not an April Fool’s Day prank.

In fact, professional photographers are banned. As long as you can use a mobile phone or basic camera to point and shoot, then you’re in with a chance of landing the most unlikely of assignments.

It’s a publicity stunt, of course, but a fun campaign launched by the fine folk at Icelandair, who want to show that Iceland’s scenery is so spectacular that even a novice can’t fail to snap a winner.

Budding snappers are asked to answer a few questions about themselves and, if they really want to stand out, upload a short video telling the organisers about their most epic fails.

Images captured during the winner’s expedition may, at the discretion of the judges, appear in a global PR and ad campaign, so there’s perhaps more than the iconic fifteen minutes of fame.

“We’re looking for someone to help us prove that even the worst photographer can capture Iceland beautifully,” say organisers. Applications are open until April 30, 2026 via Icelandair’s dedicated competition webpage here.

So how bad do you have to be? First up, you must have absolutely no professional photography background, and no special interest in learning photography, just comfortable taking a snap.

You’re frequently disappointed with your own photos but occasionally surprised when a photo turns out okay, and you’re not uncomfortable sharing yourself on video and in photos.

You like to travel; you like people; you must be able to take part in physical outdoor activities and adventures, and feel comfortable hiking and navigating uneven terrain.

Applicants must be aged 21 or over, have a valid passport, no criminal record, must be able to travel for up to 10 days in June 2026, and must be allowed to travel to Iceland, the UK, and the USA.

The winner scoops a 10-day trip to Iceland, with travel expenses covered, plus US$50,000 for photographs, content, and participation. There are, of course, terms and conditions, which you can study here. Ad and aircraft images: Icelandair.