Michael Hughes loves to travel and visit the world’s most famous landmarks. He also loves to take creative, quirky pictures in which he replaces these monuments with cheap souvenirs.
Hughes started this hobby back in 1998 and has accumulated a rich collection of over 100 fun images using this blending technique in 200 countries he visited.
From a plastic Eiffel Tower, to a coffee cup showing the Statue of Liberty, and a souvenir fridge magnet of the Golden Gate Bridge. His creativity has no limits.
"I noticed coffee cups from a shop near the Statue of Liberty had the statue printed on, so I poured my drink on the floor, and positioned it in front of the statue," Michael explained how he discovered this technique.
"Since then, taking the pictures has developed into a hobby and a passion to the point where I have been taking trips recently just to photograph a souvenir next to its landmark."
Replacing Landmarks With Cheap Souvenirs
Funtography by Michael Hughes
Trend Themes
1. Creative Souvenir Photography - The trend of taking quirky pictures with cheap souvenirs as a replacement for famous landmarks presents opportunities for innovative photography techniques and creative souvenir designs.
2. Blending Landmarks and Souvenirs - The trend of blending famous landmarks and cheap souvenirs in creative images opens up opportunities for unique art installations and merchandise collaborations between iconic landmarks and souvenir vendors.
3. Destination-driven Souvenir Collecting - The trend of traveling to collect souvenirs and photograph them next to their respective landmarks creates opportunities for travel agencies to curate specialized souvenir-centric itineraries and for souvenir manufacturers to design collectible sets targeted at avid travelers.
Industry Implications
1. Photography - The photography industry can explore new techniques and concepts inspired by the trend of creative souvenir photography, offering innovative products and services to photographers and enthusiasts.
2. Tourism - The tourism industry can capitalize on the trend of destination-driven souvenir collecting by promoting unique travel experiences and partnering with souvenir vendors to create exclusive products tailored to different landmarks and destinations.
3. Souvenir Manufacturing - The souvenir manufacturing industry can tap into the trend of blending landmarks and souvenirs to create licensed merchandise and unique collectibles, collaborating with iconic landmarks and leveraging their branding to attract customers.