Monet s Garden in Summertime Photography Workshop with Charles Needle Charles Needle June 12-18, 2016 Join Charles Needle for a magical week in one of the most beautiful gardens in the world, Monet s Garden (Giverny, France). During this workshop, you ll have a rare, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to photograph for an entire week during peak early summertime bloom with NO TOURISTS present...private access! Wisteria on Monet s famous Japanese bridge should be blooming during our stay, as well as many other flowers, such as irises, peonies, poppies, delphiniums, roses, daisies and azaleas. You ll gain daily private access to the world-famous Garden and Estate in the early mornings and early evenings, before the Garden opens and after it closes to the public, with magic hour light. Charles will share special techniques he has developed for creating striking, abstract, painterly Impressionistic flower and garden images. Besides Monet s flowered sanctuary, you ll photograph the surrounding Normandy countryside blanketed with early summer wildflowers, the Seine River Valley, Village of Giverny with its quaint stone cottages and terraced Images Charles Needle
gardens, the old Norman town of Vernon, two nearby rural villages with charming French country architecture, a 14th century church, and an authentic outdoor French marketplace. You ll receive lots of 1-on-1 personalized instruction both in the field and classroom, and there will be plenty of lectures, assignments and supportive group image evaluations. TOUR LAND COST PER GUEST: $3,595 based on double occupancy and a minimum of 12 paying guests. A limited number of single supplements are also available for $750 each. Limited to 12 guests. COSTS INCLUDE: 6 nights lodging total in Giverny, France 6 breakfasts Welcome and Farewell Dinners (with one glass of wine) Ground transportation during the tour (private passenger vans) 3 field trips in the Normandy countryside 9 private entrances to Monet s Garden (early mornings prior to opening and evenings after closing) Classroom lectures, assignments, classroom & field instruction, demos & supportive image evaluations COSTS DO NOT INCLUDE: Airfare. (Upon request, we will provide a travel agent who can book your airfare. Additional surcharges may apply.) Airport transfers. We can assist in booking taxis from Charles de Gaulle Airport to/from the hotel in Giverny. We will need flight information by April 1, 2016. If you will not be returning to the US when the workshop ends, we can arrange for a taxi to the train station in nearby Vernon, France (with direct rail service to Paris), or a taxi to a hotel of your choice in Paris. Lunches, some dinners (including alcoholic beverages). Optional travel insurance. (Strongly suggested! We can provide information on this upon booking.) Other incidentals such as laundry, phone calls, tips & gratuities, etc. Entrance to Monet s Garden during normal operating hours. Prices quoted are based on a minimum number of guests and on exchange rates as of November 6, 2015. In the event of lower numbers or currency fluctuation, Charles Needle Photography reserves the right to adjust rates accordingly. TO HOLD YOUR SPOT IN THIS WORKSHOP: Please complete the attached booking form and mail with deposit check for $2,000 per traveler, payable to Charles Needle Photography, to the address below before January 29, 2016. Please do not book your airfare before January 29, 2016. Remaining balance in full due March 31, 2016. Please refer to attached Terms & Conditions for cancellation and refund policy. For more information and reservations, please contact: Charles Needle Photography 211 Kirkland Ave. - Suite 503 Kirkland, WA 98033-6408 Office: 425-968-2884 Charles cell: 770-630-0453 E-mail: charles@charlesneedlephoto.com
Monet s Garden in Springtime Photography Workshop with Charles Needle June 12-18, 2016 IMPORTANT: Submitting this form and paying tour deposit confirms you have read and accept the Terms and Conditions for this trip. Please review and be sure you understand the terms and conditions before registering for this workshop. RESERVATION & BOOKING FORM ---- PLEASE COMPLETE ONE FORM PER PERSON TRAVELING. GENERAL INFORMATION Full Name as on your passport: Name you prefer to be called: Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Dr: Date of Birth: Passport # Issue Date: Expires: Country: Celebrating an Event during tour?: Address: City, State, Zip, Country: Telephone: E-mail: Emergency Contact Name and Phone #: Special Food or Physical Requirements: LODGING Please check appropriate room type: Double Room (one large bed or two beds): Sharing room with : Single Room, I am willing to share Single Room, not sharing (We will attempt to find a roommate, but if unsuccessful the single supplement will apply.) HOTEL TRANSFERS: Airport transfers are not included in the workshop price. Please check appropriate options below: 1. Upon arrival on Sunday, June 12th, I will need taxi service from Charles de Gaulle Airport to my hotel in Giverny. (Please do not book your airfare before January 29, 2016. We will need your flight details by April 1, 2016.)
Monet s Garden Workshop Booking Form - Page 2 2. I will need taxi service on Saturday, June 18, 2016 from my hotel in Giverny to: Charles de Gaulle Airport (Paris) for my return flight Another destination. Please provide address: 3. I will need taxi service from my hotel in Giverny to the train station in Vernon, France on Saturday, June 18, 2016. (For train schedule and departure times, visit www.raileurope.com. Direct train service to Charles de Gaulle Airport is not available. You would need to transfer in Paris.) DEPOSIT PAYMENT Total Package Price is $3,595 per person, based on double occupancy. Single occupancy of a room requires additional payment of $750. Registration deadline is January 29, 2016. Total package price increases to $4,195 (double occupancy) after that date. Balance is due in full no later than March 31, 2016. To secure your place, please send a deposit check or money order for $2,000 per traveler, payable to Charles Needle Photography and mail with both pages of this form to the address below by January 29, 2016. Charles Needle Charles Needle Photography 211 Kirkland Avenue - Suite 503 Kirkland, WA 98033-6408 Office: 425-968-2884 Charles cell: 770-630-0453 E-mail: charles@charlesneedlephoto.com
Monet s Garden in Springtime Photography Workshop with Charles Needle June 12-18, 2016 Terms & Conditions This information is important. Please read it carefully. Submission of an online or printed Booking Form along with payment of required trip deposit indicates you have read and expressly agree to these Terms and Conditions. If there is something you do not understand, please ask us about it! Reservations and Payments A deposit of $2,000 per person is required at the time of booking. Written confirmation will be provided upon receipt of this deposit. The full remaining balance will be due no later than March 31, 2016. Final payment made after that date is subject to a $500 late fee, plus interest charges. Number of Guests -- A maximum of 12 guests (plus the tour operator and assistant/driver) can be accommodated. A minimum of 12 guests is required to operate the workshop at the quoted price. Purchase of nonrefundable services outside of the trip itinerary (such as airline tickets) before the minimum number of guests have registered is at the sole risk and expense of the guest. Cancellations All cancellations must be made in writing. If you cancel before March 31, 2016, you will receive a full refund, minus a $500 processing fee. We apologize, no refunds for cancellations after March 31, 2016. As noted, final payment is due March 31, 2016 and is non-refundable. Accordingly we strongly recommended that you purchase appropriate trip cancellation insurance. We would be happy to provide you with a reputable third-party company in order to purchase cancellation insurance. Please be aware that many companies require that you must purchase trip cancellation insurance within 15 days of mailing your deposit check and booking form. Hotels Charles Needle Photography reserves the right to change any hotel due to any circumstance---the substitute will be of equal or higher quality. Airfare -- Airfare is not included in the package price. Please let us know if you would like help arranging flights. The workshop begins at 4:30 pm, Sunday, June 12, 2016 and ends after breakfast on Saturday, June 18, 2016. We suggest a US departure on June 11, 2016 for Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport and return flight to the US from CDG Airport the morning of June 18, 2016. Please do not book any non-refundable airfare before January 29, 2016. Scheduled Activities Every effort will be made to provide such services as listed on your itinerary, but where unavoidable circumstances necessitate changes, the best substitute alternatives will be made at the discretion of Charles Needle Photography without financial compensation to workshop attendees. Service Fees, Tips & Taxes Today there are frequently service charges and taxes imposed by hotels, suppliers, and governments. These fees and taxes are included to the extent possible, but where pre-payment is not possible, the amounts concerned must be paid locally by workshop attendees. All tips and gratuities are not included and are left to your discretion. Baggage Charles Needle Photography is not responsible for loss, theft or damage to your baggage---travel insurance is strongly recommended to protect against loss. Guests are responsible for airline and governmentimposed baggage regulations and fees. Exclusions Your arrangements exclude baggage handling, excess baggage charges, items of a personal nature such as laundry, communication expenses, room service, meals not specified in your itinerary, gratuities to drivers, optional sightseeing and other excursions, and any items not listed in your documents. Travel and Trip Cancellation Insurance We strongly recommend that you purchase Travel Insurance and would be happy to provide you with a reputable third-party company. Please be aware that many companies require that you must purchase trip cancellation insurance within 15 days of mailing your deposit check and booking form.
Responsibility Clause Nature Comforts, Inc. (D/B/A Charles Needle Photography ) (Operator), Charles Needle, and/or their agents or representatives, act only as agents for the various companies involved in providing services. They assume no responsibility or liability in connection with the service of any means of conveyance which may be used either whole or in part in the performance of its duty to the passenger. Likewise they will not be responsible for any act, error or omission or for any personal injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, irregularity or inconvenience which may be occasioned by reason of any defect in any vehicles, or through any act, neglect or default, or any company or person engaged in carrying out the purpose for which tickets or coupons are issued, whether negligent or not, including, but not limited to, any act of God, terrorism or war. In the event it becomes necessary or advisable for the comfort or well-being of passengers, or for any reason whatsoever, to alter itinerary or arrangements, such alterations may be made without penalty to Operator. The right is reserved to withdraw any or all tours should conditions warrant, also to decline to accept or retain passengers as members of the tour. Legal proceedings against the Operator may be instituted only in a State or Federal Court within the County of King, State of Washington, and any claim involved in such proceedings shall be decided in the County of King, State of Washington. Any legal proceedings against Operator must be commenced within one year following the date of tour completion. Neither the Operator nor Charles Needle shall in any case be liable for compensatory damages and you hereby waive any right to punitive damages. Nature Comforts, Inc. D/B/A Charles Needle Photography 211 Kirkland Avenue - Suite 503 Kirkland, WA 98033-6408 Office: 425-968-2884 Charles cell: 770-630-0453 charles@charlesneedlephoto.com
About Charles Charles Needle is an award-winning, Seattle,WA-based fine art photographer, author, speaker and workshop leader with a unique eye for design and artistic interpretation. His popular Art of Nature creative macro workshops have attracted students nationwide. In 2011, Charles was selected as a finalist, among 15,000 entries worldwide, in the International Garden Photographer of the Year photography contest, sponsored by The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (London, England). This exhibition traveled throughout the United Kingdom. He was also a semi-finalist in the 2014 Nature s Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards photo contest. Charles has authored three cutting-edge instructional books: Tiny Worlds: Creative Macro Photography Skills (Amherst Media, January 2015), Impressionistic Photography: A Field Guide to Using Your Camera as a Paintbrush (March 2014), and Creative Macro Photography: Professional Tips & Techniques (2011). An accomplished speaker, photography juror and teacher with international workshops in Monet s Garden (Giverny, France for 11 years in a row, with exclusive private access), Keukenhof Gardens (Holland) and The Butchart Gardens (Canada), Charles is a FujiFilm USA Talent Team member and North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) Showcase Award winner six years in a row. Charles photographs have selected for publication in Nature s Best, Outdoor Photographer magazine, Nature Photographer magazine, Inner Reflections Engagement Calendar, The Chicago Tribune, SELF Magazine and are in private and public collections nationwide and abroad.
Monet s Garden in Summertime with Charles Needle 2016 Tentative Workshop Itinerary * Sunday, June 12 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm Welcome, Introductions & Orientation Slideshow 6:30 pm Giverny Welcome Dinner at Hotel Baudy (provided) Monday, June 13 6:45 am Van departs for Monet s Garden 7:00 am 9:00 am Shooting in Monet s Garden 9:15 am 10:15 am Breakfast at hotel (provided) 10:30 am 1:30 pm Explore/Shoot in village of Giverny Lunch on your own 1:30 pm 3:00 pm Classroom Lecture: Impressionistic Photography Discuss Tuesday s schedule. (Collect picnic lunch money.) 3:00 pm 3:30 pm Demo: Impressionistic Camera Techniques (Charles) 3:30 pm - 5:45 pm Break/Free Time Edit & Process Images 5:45 pm Van departs for Monet s Garden 5:55 pm 7:45 pm Shooting in Monet s Garden 8:00 pm Dinner at Hotel Baudy (Giverny) Tuesday, June 14 6:45 am Van departs for Monet s Garden 7:00 am 9:00 am Shooting in Monet s Garden 9:15 am 10:00 am Breakfast at hotel (provided)
10:15 am Van departs for old farmhouse 2016 Monet s Garden workshop tentative itinerary Page 2 10:30 am 12:30 pm Shooting at old farmhouse 12:30 pm 1:30 pm Picnic lunch in the field 1:30 pm 2:00 pm Return to Giverny Break 2:30 pm 4:00 pm Lecture: Creative Macro Flower Photography Discuss Wednesday s schedule. 4:00 pm - 5:45 pm Break/Free Time 5:55 pm 7:45 pm Shooting in Monet s Garden 8:15 pm Dinner on your own Wednesday, June 15 8:30 am - 9:15 am Breakfast at hotel (provided) 9:30 am Depart for Vernon 9:45 am 11:30 am Photograph Outdoor Market in Vernon 11:30 am - 12:30 pm Lunch in Vernon (on your own) 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm Photograph in town of Vernon (Collegiale Notre Dame church, etc.) 2:00 pm - 2:15 pm Return to Giverny 2:15 pm - 3:15 pm Break/Free Time 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm Lecture: Creative Smartphone Photography or informal image review Discuss Thursday s schedule. 5:00 pm 5:45 pm Break 5:45 pm Van departs for Monet s Garden 5:55 pm 7:30 pm Shooting in Monet s Garden 7:45 pm Dinner on your own
2016 Monet s Garden workshop tentative itinerary Page 3 Thursday, June 16 6:45 am Van departs for Monet s Garden 7:00 am 9:00 am Shooting in Monet s Garden 9:15 am 10:00 am Breakfast at hotel (provided) 10:15 am Van departs for Omerville 10:45 am 12:45 pm Photograph in Omerville 12:45 pm - 1:10 pm Travel to Genainville 1:15 pm 2:45 pm Lunch at La Table Verte (Genainville) Discuss Friday s schedule 2:45 pm 4:15 pm Photograph in Genainville 4:15 pm Return to Giverny 4:15 pm 5:45 pm Break Edit & process images or photograph in village of Giverny 5:45 pm Vans depart for Monet s Garden 5:55 pm 7:45 pm Shooting in Monet s Garden 8:00 pm Dinner on your own Friday, June 17 6:45 am Van departs for Monet s Garden 7:00 am 9:00 am Final Morning Shoot in Monet s Garden 9:15 am 10:00 am Breakfast at hotel (provided) 10:15 am - 12:00 pm Supervised Lab Time (Prepare assignment images.) 12:15 pm sharp! Assignment Images Due 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm Group 1 - Supportive Image Evaluations 1:15 pm - 2:45 pm Lunch on your own
3:00 pm 4:00 pm Group 2- Supportive Image Evaluations Workshop Evaluation Forms Discuss Saturday morning departures. 4:00 pm 5:30 pm Free Time/Pack 5:45 pm Vans depart for Monet s Garden 5:55 pm 7:00 pm Optional Evening Shoot in Monet s Garden (depending on group energy level!) 7:30 pm Farewell Dinner at Hotel Baudy (provided) Closing Thoughts 2016 Monet s Garden workshop tentative itinerary Page 4 Saturday, June 18 Breakfast at hotel (provided) AM transfers to Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris, or Vernon railway station * Itinerary is subject to change.