Russian Company Rents Grounded Private Jet for Photo Shoots

Gulfstream G650 jet. (Falcon Photography/CC BY-SA 2.0)

How far removed can your Instagram be from your real life? So far that it could be a private jet apart, apparently.

For several hundred dollars, a Russian company offers photo shoots inside and outside a luxurious private jet. Whether you use it as an exotic background or to actually fake a lavish lifestyle on “Insta” is up to you.

Two hours aboard the slick Gulfstream G650 costs 14,000-25,000 rubles (about US$240-US$435). The company, Private Jet Studio, provides a makeup artist and a photographer or a videographer.

“This is for those who like James Bond films,” the company’s representative Natalia told TJournal.

The company opened its doors in September and hasn’t had too many customers yet. It would like to provide more than just bragging material for Instagram though. “We don’t want to be selling just some pathos, but a higher level—video production, fashion magazine photo shoots and so on,” Natalia said.

There could be more to fake Instagram presence than a bit of luxury though.

Japanese company Studio Innovation offers fake friends for hire specifically so that clients can post pictures with the actors on social media.

“An increasing number of people don’t want their parents or friends to think they have few friends,” said Yuichi Ishii, president of the company, according to The Japan Times.

The company’s main business seems to be sending fake guests to wedding ceremonies.

On the other hand, unreal presentations on social media have become a target of criticism.

Earlier this year, travel blogger Amelia Liana was accused by her fans of doctoring some of her photos. The picture of herself with the New York City skyline in the background, for example, appears to be missing the 1 World Trade Center, the tallest building in the city.

“I have lots of loyal followers that I consider my friends and I would never cheat on them by putting myself in a picture where I wasn’t in a natural location. I do strive to present my photographs in the best possible way but always remain faithful to my followers by taking my pictures in real locations,” she said in a statement to the Times.