Iceland is giving away an all-expenses-paid trip – and €43,000 – to ‘bad photographers’

Whether it’s snapping the Aurora Borealis in all their otherworldly glory or sneakily capturing a photo of some mischievous wildlife, good photography requires serious skill. 

Or, does it? That’s the question Icelandair is asking with its aptly titled ‘really bad photographer’ campaign. 

The flag carrier airline is offering – get this – a 10-day round-trip to Iceland (which includes return flights, accommodation and spending money) in exchange for photos from one lucky traveller who has absolutely no photography experience.

Recommended: These five European cities will soon be getting direct flights to the heart of Lapland. 

On top of the free trip, the lucky winner will receive a whopping $50,000 (roughly €43,000) for participating and allowing Icelandair to use their photos, according to the campaign website.

The whole idea is to prove it impossible to take a bad photo of somewhere as gorgeous as Iceland. Icelandair claims ‘even the worst photographer can take great photos of Iceland’, and to prove it, this offer is open exclusively to people with no professional background in photography nor particular interest in the art. 

With rumbling geysers, black-sand beaches and vibrant glaciers, the Nordic nation is indeed a beauty; in fact, Time Out’s latest guide to the world’s most beautiful places features two Icelandic destinations. Thanks to its dramatic landscapes and Northern Lights occurrences, it’s also a country photographers flock to – we’re keen to see how these amateur snaps compare.

How to win a free trip to Iceland

So, got a camera roll full of rubbish photos? Sounds like this one’s for you. To enter, you’ll need to be at least 21, have a valid passport and be eligible for travel to the UK, USA and Iceland, and be willing to share videos and photos of yourself. 

Head to reallybadphotographer.com (yes, you read that right), answer the six application questions, and to increase your chances, include a 60-second video about why you should be chosen. 

Applications are open until April 30, 2026. 

Check out Time Out’s roundup of the very best things to do in Reykjavik and Iceland. 

Plus: Want to own a piece of the Eiffel Tower? You can now bid on it at auction. 

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