"Bikini Battles in Mexico"

Mountain View, California (PRWEB) September 12, 2005 — A unique modeling and photography event just wrapped Labor Day Weekend Sept 5. This judged reality photo shoot in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico was a success. Models and photographers from all over the United States, Canada and from as far away as Holland, Germany, Ukraine and Estonia came to compete in the Ujena Bikini Jam.

The 20th Annual Ujena Bikini Jam was held at the Crown Plaza Resort. Over 75 bikini models and 55 photographers competed in the judged reality photo shoot. This one of a kind event is the brainchild of Ujena CEO and founder Bob Anderson. "It is not a pageant but a reality experience. Most of our judging is based on photos taken at the event," stated Bob. Prizes and cash, valued at over $125,000 were awarded to the participants.

Everyone was competing to be featured on the cover of Swimwear Illustrated magazine at this five day event. Making the cover is just the start for the overall winning model, 17-year old Angel Duzel from Arlington, Texas and second time photographer winner Bruce Brandon from Salt Lake City, Utah.

Both will be taken on an exotic location shoot this fall to get additional photos for the spring 2006 Ujena fashion collection. Angel also was awarded a one year non-exclusive modeling contract with Greer Lange Talent Agency, the largest agency in Pennsylvania.

Palm Life Drive, mobile manager, was used by the judges for scoring. A state of the art software program was designed by Ujena's webmaster Waitman Gobble to handle the larger more mobile event. Using Palm mini-computers the judges were able to post their scores with ease. "With this scoring system we can now handle many more contestants," stated Waitman. The model and photographer winners were both given the Palm Life Drive mobile manager compliments of Palm.

Ujena manufactures the largest selection of swimwear since 1984 and offers their line world wide by mail order and selected retailers. Mail order has been the focus and moving into the internet has provided a larger and more exciting advantage. New products are introduced regularly.

Bob Anderson's daughter Lisa Anderson-Wall, now president of Ujena, was the motivating factor to move Ujena onto the internet (www.ujena.com). "Ujena.com went live in 1994, before any other swimwear company. Today we are still one of the most successful internet swimwear companies," says president Lisa Wall.

The contestants at the Bikini Jam are judged in many different ways. It was nearly 95 degrees at the start of the Rockstar Energy Drink 5k Run/Walk but nearly all the models and photographers covered the distance. Each contestant received bonus points just by finishing. The winners were awarded a year supply of Rockstar Energy Drink.

"Ujena models and photographers need to be fit," stated Bob Anderson who also founded Runner's World magazine in 1966. The race benefited the Cruz Roja Mexicana (Red Cross) and attracted many good local runners. Nearly $1200 was raised.

"One of our contestants Katie Hoffman," Bob Anderson said, "did not come to the Bikini Jam because of Hurricane Katrina. Her home and business were destroyed by the hurricane. Ujena has set up a fund for Katie at www.ujenatalent.com. The Red Cross is always there to help people in need. Next year we will raise a lot more money."

The Bikini Jam is the best way to jump start, revive, or update a model's and photographer's portfolio. Over 25,000 images were taken this year. This event offers models and photographers the opportunity to get the exposure they are looking for. The most important accomplishment is being published. Nearly all models and photographers who compete in the Bikini Jam do get published in magazines, catalogs, calendars, websites and other printed material.

In addition to our winners, the two runner-up models Isabella Syrek from Mainz, Germany and Lisa Melton from Pearisburg, Virgina and photographers Addison Fitzgerald from Saint Augustine, Florida and Hisham Ibrahim from Washington DC will get special attention throughout the year as well as many of the other contestants.

Devoted Creations, tanning lotions for the skin, and a Bikini Jam sponsor will also provide the opportunity for Angel Duzel, to become their upcoming seasons spokesmodel. They are also interested in using Isabella Syrek since Devoted Creations does a lot of business in Germany.

Both winners were also awarded light and laser skin care treatments to improve the appearance of the skin. Dr. George Johnson MD said, "I was excited to be asked to be a Bikini Jam sponsor. These two packages are worth $12,000 each."

Ujena invited an independent film productions company, Freehand Films to shoot the event. They are looking at putting together a reality TV series. Robert Sanchez, co-director and excutive producer said,"we have enough good footage to make six shows. We will be showing the world a side of photography and swimwear modeling never before seen on television."

Robert's company, S&S Media Services also awarded the winners an all expense paid trip to a major Hollywood Movie Studio Red Carpet Premiere. The package includes tickets to the screening and the official after party.

On Location TV from Flordia also covered this year's Jam. They are putting together a television special from a totally different prespective. "We only wanted to follow Addison Fitzgerald, one of the competing photographers, before we got here. Once on location we wanted it all," stated director Craig Wolf.

Other Bikini Jam sponsors included: LUSH body care products, FAME world events, Kodak, Baja Activities and the Crown Plaza Hotel who gave our winners a four night stay for two at their beautiful all-inclusive resort.

I overheard Bikini Jam founder Bob Anderson, at one of the many parties, speaking with one of the Bikini Jam judges Dan Beyer about next year's event. (Dan is the marketing director for One Model Place - the world's largest model networking site with 150,000 unique visits daily.)

Bob and Dan were talking about holding a much larger Bikini Jam next year. They were talking about 200 models and 100 photographers or something like this.

"I have spoken with several sponsors about next year's event. A larger Ujena Bikini Jam (a judged reality photo shoot) will be even more exciting," stated Bob Anderson.

The dates for the Ujena Bikini Jam 21 is August 31 to Sept 4, 2006. It will be held in either in Cabo or Cancun. The latest news will be released at www.ujenatalent.com

For more information contact Catherine Cross, PR director 650-948-8901
Los Altos, California USA