Visual Storyteller & Filmmaker

Location: Peru (Starting in Lima & Ending in Cusco, Machu Picchu)
Opportunity Type: Fully funded 14-day creative residency & content creation
Open to: Photographers, filmmakers & drone storytellers worldwide  
Dates: April 19 – May 2, 2027
(Application Closes: Dec 31, 2026.)

Role Overview

The School of Ikigai is searching for one extraordinary photographer, filmmaker and drone storyteller to join us in Peru as the official visual storyteller of Habibi, Respira—our 14-day adventure retreat.

This is not an influencer getaway.

It is a fully funded creative residency for someone capable of capturing not only how Peru looks, but how transformation feels.

The Selected Creator will Receive

✦ Domestic flights within Peru (Arequipa to Cusco) ✦ Airport transfers and retreat transportation
✦ Accommodation throughout the 14-day journey ✦ Two meals per day
✦ Access to the full Habibi, Respira retreat journey
✦ The Machu Picchu experience
✦ An extraordinary international portfolio opportunity ✦ Creator credit & feature

WHAT YOU’LL CAPTURE & CREATE

IN EXCHANGE, YOU WILL HELP US IMMORTALIZE THE EXPERIENCE THROUGH 14 DAYS OF:

✦ Cinematic filmmaking ✦ Editorial photography
✦ Drone footage ✦ Human stories ✦ Cultural experiences
✦ Behind-the-scenes moments ✦ Social media content creation

CREATING

✦ A powerful 45-second website film ✦ An evergreen cinematic YouTube film
✦ Participant testimonial videos ✦ Shareable social media content
✦ A visual archive of the complete journey

THE FULL PERU STORY
Photograph and film the 14-day journey—from intimate human moments and cultural encounters to the Sacred Valley, landscapes, movement and Machu Picchu.

Coverage will include cinematic video, editorial photography, candid storytelling and aerial drone footage.

REAL-TIME SOCIAL STORYTELLING
Create compelling vertical content, photography and behind-the-scenes moments for the School of Ikigai’s Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn and YouTube platforms throughout the journey.

We are not looking for generic travel content. We want storytelling that makes someone stop scrolling and feel something.

PARTICIPANT TESTIMONIALS
On our culminating day, capture beautifully directed participant testimonials that allow each person to express what changed, what they are taking home and what the experience meant to them.

These will include individual testimonial edits and one collective transformation montage.

A 45-SECOND WEBSITE FILM
Create a powerful, emotionally unforgettable 30-second hero film for the School of Ikigai website—one that distils the soul of Habibi, Respira and leaves people thinking:

“I need to experience this.”

AN EVERGREEN YOUTUBE FILM
Produce a cinematic short film that can live permanently on our YouTube channel—a timeless visual story of Peru, human connection, adventure and the journey back to oneself.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR 

You may be an established professional or an exceptional emerging creator. Your follower count matters far less than your eye, emotional intelligence and ability to tell a meaningful story.

✦ A remarkable visual eye ✦ A strong portfolio ✦ Professional equipment ✦ Cinematic editing skills
✦ Emotional intelligence ✦ Cultural sensitivity ✦ A gift for capturing stories that make people feel
✦ Authentic & Raw Transformational Storytelling

TO APPLY

Please submit:
1. Your portfolio
2. Your social media and website links
3. A 60-second video introducing yourself and telling us why you want to tell this story
4. One project that best represents your visual voice
5. Your equipment and drone experience
6. Your current location and travel availability
7. A short answer to this question: “What does it mean to capture transformation without interrupting it?”