Hamilton Island's Ultimate Instameet
Hamilton Island is excited about promoting the Island through Instagram, one of the best mobile ‘moment’ sharing platforms in social media. In today’s society, people take much of their inspiration and ideas for holidays from friends, family and followers.
Entries now open for the 2013 Hamilton Island Ultimate Instameet: Return2Paradise.
In November 2012, Hamilton Island, on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, launched a uniquely Australian Instagram campaign. The Ultimate Instameet, a world-first, social media initiative, created a global conversation and evoked community by bringing together passionate Instagramers from around Australia and the USA to experience, capture, and share the Island paradise with their social networks. See their journey unfold in this short documentary
To view all the incredible Instagram images from Hamilton Island's Ultimate Instameet search #hamiltonislandinstameet and follow @hamiltonisland.
Our Hamilton Island Instagramers, and their thoughts...
Chris Vallejos, 34yrs, L.A.
Digital Product Designer
‘I always need to be working on some creative project, and Instagram is a way for me to do that through making images. What really makes Instagram so unique, and what I love about it, is the community of people. I’m inspired everyday when I look through my feed and see the art people are posting.’
Lauren Bath, 31yrs, Gold Coast
Chef, aspiring photographer
‘Being selected to participate in the Hamilton Island Ultimate Instameet is an incomparable feeling. Aside from being able to photograph Australia's most beautiful island destination, I feel like I am a part of something big. Social media marketing and Instagram is changing the world.’
Paul Vella, 22yrs, Hawkesbury
Air conditioning mechanic
‘Instagram quickly became an outlet for me to pursue my passion further. Instagram allows me to capture a moment anywhere I am & share that moment with people from all over the world. The photos of other Instagrammers are also a constant inspiration to try new photography techniques & to visit new places that I see in their photos. I love Instagram not only because it allows me to make people happy with the photos I take, & with Instagram I can see the world from something that I hold in my pocket.’
Julie Hill, 40yrs, Hay
Environmental scientist turned silversmith
‘I'm a mountain bred city girl who lives in an isolated country community and dreams of the beach. I spend my days in a vintage caravan creating jewellery laced with love, a loyal black kelpie by my side. I share my life and adventures with my wonderful husband and two awesome boys, all of them amazingly patient as I jump from the car for that one perfect shot.’
Garry Norris, 32yrs, Gold Coast
Chef
‘I have been using Instagram for over a year as a creative outlet and to explore my love of photography. The thing I love the most about Instagram is the ability to interact with people from all over the world and to travel through the photos my friends share, it’s like having a million pen pals in your pocket.’
Jewels Lynch, 37yrs, Gold Coast
Full time Mum
‘I’m mad about Instagram because I love, love, love taking pics and I love the people I get to share them with in such an easy, wonderful way.’
Nicolas Alexander, 35yrs, Sydney
Events Producer
‘I am so excited to be a part of the InstaMeet on Hamilton Island. For some time I have wanted to experience Hamilton Island for myself and this, for me, is the perfect way to see the Island. I am looking forward to seeing how everyone will interpret their visit and share the Instagram photos of Hamilton Island with the world. Hopefully we will be swapping a few Instatricks whilst we are there.’
Other Hamilton Island Instameet ambassadors included:
Australian fashion model Annabella Barber (@annabellabarber), global style arbiter and Vogue Senior Fashion Editor Christine Centenera (@centenera & @vogueaustralia), fashion designer Josh Goot (@josh_goot), Masterchef contestant, writer & foodie Hayden Quinn (@hayden_quinn), stylist & luxury fashion blogger Romy Frydman (@stylemeromy), The Voice contestant & singer Sarah De Bono (@sarahdebono) and Geelong Cats’ Jimmy Bartel (@jrb03).