INTRODUCTION

Meridian magazine is proud to present its first annual Swimsuit Edition Seminar in the beautiful Virgin Islands. Photographers who attend will enjoy a week of pristine scenery, perfect weather and hands-on instruction, allowing you to work with the pros from the magazine to build the foundation of a stellar portfolio.

This trip includes models, transportation, car rental, lodging and food. The week long photography seminar includes instruction from the pros who shoot for Meridian magazine. You will learn everything it takes to shoot on location, from composition and lighting to working with models.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

If you love photography and want to build your portfolio, this is the seminar for you. We welcome photographers of all ability, from beginner to expert. No matter what your experience, there is always something to be learned from such a unique experience.

DATES: NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 5 2009

We'll be spending seven days and six nights in the sunny Virgin Islands. Swimsuit seminars will be conducted on four of the seven days, with three days of free shooting.

LEWIS CARLYLE is creative director for Meridian Magazine. A graduate of the design school at Virginia Tech University, Lewis gained a passion for photography through a life-long love of the arts. Today, he is the senior photographer for Meridian and other publications, specializing in commercial print, fine art and portraiture.

Please scroll through the Image Gallery to the right to view his work. . .

PAIGE BOUYE is a model, stylist and photographer. Bringing many levels of experience from both sides of the lens, Paige runs her photography business in Colorado Springs. Her work as a model gives her a special kinship with other models, enabling her to bring out the emotion, attitude and passion that it takes to construct the perfect image.

Please scroll through the Image Gallery to the right to view her work. . .

SWIMSUIT SEMINAR SUMMARY

More than thirty years ago, Sports Illustrated started one of the most prolific cultural milestones in America with its iconic Swimsuit Edition. Today, the phenomenon has taken over the field of magazines and photography alike, sending creative teams all over the earth to capture the world’s most beautiful women.

The Meridian Swimsuit Seminar is perfect for photographers who are looking to gain real world experience in being a part of a magazine’s creative team. We take you on location with the models and provide instruction on how to shoot magazine-quality images. You will learn to work as a team with makeup artists, stylists and models to build print-ready photographs; and it all takes place on a beautiful tropical island. . .

We only have space for four photographers! Meridian will provide four models, allowing each photographer plenty of time for one on one shooting. Each model will have an assortment of apparel, from beach wear to bikinis.

Instruction seminars will take place daily. Models and photographers will work with the pros during pre-scheduled instruction periods. The remainder of your time will be available for individual shooting with models, shopping and relaxing on the beach (after all, it is the Caribbean).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Do I need a passport to travel to the US Virgin Islands?
A: No. All US citizens can travel to the Virgin Islands without a passport. A valid government ID (driver’s license) is all you need.

Q: What is the airport code for the US Virgin Islands?
A: We will fly into St. Thomas. Airport Code: STT

Q: Will my images get published in Meridian’s swimsuit edition?
A: We will consider publishing any image that possesses absolutely stellar quality.

Q: Will I need model release forms to use the photos that I take?
A: We will provide model release forms that give each photographer full copy rights to his own images.

Q: Does the package include a rental car?
A: Yes. There will be four people per rental car. We will always travel in groups.

Q: How many models will there be?
A: Four models. Four photographers.

Q: Does the package include meals?
A: Yes. There will be five days worth of meals at the resort (breakfast and dinner).

Q: Will I get individual shooting time with each model?
A: Yes. Seminars will take a few hours each day. The rest of the time is yours to collaborate with models on an individual basis. If you can dream it, you can shoot it!

Q: Is a makeup artist provided?
A: Yes. While all of the our models are proficient in doing their own makeup, we will also have a makeup artists/stylist with us at all times.

Q: Will lighting equipment be provided?
A: We will provide scrims and reflectors. Seminars concentrate primarily on using available light. Photographers are welcome to bring any powered flash units they wish.

Q: Why does your Airfare Package only include Denver?
A: Meridian is based out of Colorado. If you are not in Colorado and would like us to arrange your airfare for you, we can accommodate your situation on an individual basis.

Q: Do you accept credit cards?
A: Yes. You may pay online with your credit card. You will be routed to PayPal's secure servers. Choose your package and click "Buy Now" on the right column of this page.

Q: Do I need a PayPal account to register?
A: No. You do not need a PayPal account. Your transaction will take place using PayPal's secure servers, but you do not have to sign up for an account. You may select the Credit Card option when paying.

ABOUT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

Situated in the eastern Caribbean, the US Virgin Islands are a tropical paradise of lush vegetation, pristine beaches and crystal clear water. St. Thomas, the main island, is a bustling hub of shopping and mega-resorts for tourists the world over. A twenty minute ferry ride gets us to St. John, a non-commercialized national park of sprawling temporal rain forests and private beaches.

Meridian will be conducting the Swimsuit Seminar on St. John. We will travel to the abandoned ruins of colonial plantations, hike to waterfalls in the forest and take full advantage of the many beaches where tourists do not venture.

You do NOT need a passport to travel to the US Virgin Islands. Everything is in American currency, the local language is English and the water is safe to drink. This makes logistics a breeze, allowing you to keep your focus where it belongs, on your photography.

The group will have three rental cars to travel the island (four people per car).

PACKAGE PRICES (ONLY FOUR SLOTS AVAILABLE!)

Island Package | $3200

The Island Package includes a week’s lodging on the island, car rental and five days of meals at the resort. Models and makeup artists will be provided by Meridian. Photographers are responsible for their own airline transportation to the Virgin Islands. Airport code for US Virgin Islands: STT

Airfare Package | $3900

This package includes airfare from Denver International Airport to the Virgin Islands, a week’s lodging, rental car and five days of meals at the resort (breakfast and dinner). Models will be provided by Meridian.

Why Denver? Meridian is based out of Colorado. If you are not in Colorado and would like us to arrange your airfare for you, we can accommodate your situation on an individual basis.

This trip cannot happen without you! We must receive payment in full from all four attendees before we can book lodging and airfare. If we do not fill up our roster by the deadline, all payments will be refunded and the trip will be canceled. Don’t let this happen!

CONTACT

For questions or comments about booking your trip today, please contact us:

Lewis Carlyle | Creative Director

editor@meridianfashion.com