Hans Isaacson
Unleash Your Inner Explorer: The Upper Peninsula Photo and Video Contest
This is your chance to ditch the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary. The Upper Peninsula beckons with rugged landscapes, pristine waters and endless adventure. We're searching for photographers with a fearless spirit and an eye for the extraordinary to capture the essence of the UP.
Fuel your wanderlust and share your photographic adventures. Did you discover a hidden waterfall cascading through ancient pines? Have you experienced the peace of paddling across a glassy Lake Superior at sunrise? Did you stumble upon a quaint town while traversing hidden trails? Show us the serenity found gazing at a starlit sky.
We want to see the U.P. through your explorer lens. Embrace the spirit of exploration and show us why the UP ignites your sense of wonder.
Explorer Photo/Video Contest Winners
1st Place Photo:
Marybeth Kiczenski
Bio: I entered this contest out of my love for the upper peninsula, and how much it means to me. Oddly enough, I never really take "selfies", but I happened to take a self portrait while up on the escarpment trail under the Milky way with Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS), as that is a once in a lifetime type event. It encompasses everything I enjoy in life - nature, starry skies, photography, and hiking!
The Upper Peninsula is truly a place one can go to escape the ever encroachment of the digital world into our daily lives. The dark skies, forests, beaches, miles and miles of hiking trails, and crisp, clean air soothes and rejuvenates the soul. This is what keeps me returning year after year.
1st Place Video:
Jessica Adams
Bio: I am a part time product videographer. I also love filming adventures, the outdoors, and camping trips!
I entered the photo/video contest because I love exploring the U.P. with my family. There is so much natural beauty and adventures to go on in the Upper Peninsula, I especially love the beaches, the state parks, and the hiking trails.
2nd Place Photo:
Cameron Wilcox
Bio: I entered the photo/video contest because I spend a lot of time photographing the UP and enjoy sharing it with others. I love all of the wonderful outdoor opportunities and the unique changes that come along with the seasons. Fall is my favorite time for photography.
2nd Place Video:
Andrew Krzesinski
Bio: I entered this contest because I love exploring Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and showcasing its endless beauty in my videos/photos. Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is an outdoorsmans playground offering endless outdoor activities such as hiking to breathtaking waterfalls, riding ATVs, fishing, rock climbing, etc. Every season in the U.P. offers amazing activities. My top activities are exploring new waterfalls every week, exploring Copper Country, hiking Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, fishing, and camping. This video will show you how beautiful the Upper Peninsula is in just one of many endless spots to explore in the U.P.
Where do I get started, because I love everything about Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. I’ve been exploring the U.P. since I was 7 years old and will never stop. I love everything about it. You can never get bored of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula if you love the outdoors. There are over 300+ waterfalls in the U.P. and that’s amazing cause you could explore a different waterfall everyday for almost a year. Another thing I love about the U.P. is Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park because it has Lake of the Clouds which is one of the most beautiful lakes in the United States. One last thing I love about the U.P. Is Black Rocks at Presque Isle. I would consider Black Rocks the number one spot to swim (swim at your own risk) in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula because you can cliff jump. If you’re reading this, I hope you explore the beauty in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula because it’s truly exhilarating.
3rd Place Photo:
Gabbie Lester
Bio: I entered the Explore contest because I genuinely believe Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is one of the most breathtaking yet underrated destinations. I wanted to showcase the natural beauty and wonder of Michigan in a way that inspires others to explore it for themselves.
As soon as you cross the bridge, you can feel the air change. Every summer, we drive up to Drummond island, and it’s truly one of my favorite experiences. The crisp air fills your lungs as you take in the view of the lake through the woods- there’s nothing like it! The upper peninsula is where we go to disconnect & enjoy the beauty of nature. There’s nothing like it!
3rd Place Video:
Gaurav Awate
Bio: I love exploring new places and documenting photos/videos of the places I visit. I entered the photo/video content to allow everyone to see how beautiful Upper Peninsula is, through my lenses.
Upper Peninsula has been truly beautiful during the fall season. The amazing and vibrant colors made us fall in beauty of the place. The panoramic view from the Copper Peak was top notch. The sunset cruise trip was very informative and showed us one of the best natural and man-made strctures.
2023 Winter Video Contest Winners
1ST PLACE VIDEO:
Stephanie Bushey
Bio: My friend Megan, and I went on the ultimate winter road trip. As shown in the video, we drove all across the Upper Peninsula to check out as many unique winter destinations as we could. Any waterfall that was in the area, we added to the map. We had the trip of a lifetime, and so many funny stories live in between those scenic videos. I wanted to show the experience from a boots-on-the-ground approach. We lived the adventure, and the videos were an afterthought. I saw the contest and figured this is the best way to showcase how great the Upper Peninsula is in the winter time and how much fun can be had in the snow!
I love that there is an adventure around every corner in the Upper Peninsula. In the hotels, the restaurants, the state parks, hiking trails, etc. Anything you want to do, you can do in the UP. Having such a wide, scenic slate without heavy traffic or massive crowds is so liberating. It is the perfect getaway for anyone who wants to go of the grid for awhile.
2ND PLACE VIDEO:
Andrew Krzesinski
Bio: I entered this contest because going to the Upper Peninsula is one of my favorite things to do on the weekends from being from Illinois. There is endless sightseeing and activities to do from riding atvs to waterfall exploring to discovering copper country. All and all the U.P. is an outdoorsman playground.
3RD PLACE VIDEO:
Michael Joseph
Bio: I wanted to help showcase the beauty of the UP. This winter was very mild but I found beautiful ice formations around Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. The UP is a unique place. A mixture of freshwater coastline, expansive forests, and meandering rivers. Rocky cliffs and mixed terrain dot the landscape. Small town America welcomes the traveler, while picturesque farms remind one of another time. This is a place without the frenetic interstate highways. A place where people still stop and leisurely chat with one another in the grocery store. The UP is place of placid continuity that is scarce in our modern world. In short, the UP still holds onto a sense of magic and majesty.
I have spent the last few years traveling around the United States working on my passion for photography and drone work. Always trying to find stunning landscapes and unique vistas. I spend my winters in the UP and am always surprised by what I find.
2023 Fall Contest Winners:
1st Place Photo:
Brett Leja
Bio: I entered this contest because one of my hobbies is exploring the outdoors and capturing nature's beauty. Michigan, my home state, has unique and awe-inspiring scenery that I wanted to showcase. I believe Michigan is at its best when fall colors are peaking. One of my bucket list items has always been to capture drone footage above the treetops in the UP during the fall; I was grateful to finally achieve that goal.
In addition to the fall foliage, there are many reasons why the UP is special. I love how the Mighty Mac serves as a gateway to an entirely different word, despite being in the same state. The UP is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise: beautiful waterfalls, rivers, beaches, hiking trails, biking trails, and more. Its remoteness offers a rare escape in the present day, facilitating a mental reset. This trip was extra special as I was able to share my love for Up North with my daughter and family.
Bond Falls
1st Place Video:
Niina Baum
Bio: I am a competitive dog musher who has been selected to Team USA and competed at world championships. One of my favorite activities is coming to the UP and exploring the trails with my dogs. I entered the contest to showcase a different way of enjoying the beautiful fall colors in the UP. I love how I can get away from it all in the UP. Lake Superior and the trails create a sense of endless peace.
Mountain biking in Copper Harbor
2nd Place Photo:
Michelle Lutke
Bio: I entered the contest because I love showcasing the beauty of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. From the well known spots to the hidden gems, I explore and photograph them all.I love the rugged landscapes and waterscapes that surround us here. Every season is beautiful. Hiking, fishing, kayaking, waterfalls, the great lakes and so much more are all close by and accessible.
I fell in love with the upper peninsula 4 years ago, the first time I crossed the bridge from the lower peninsula. After 35+ trips since then, I finally took the plunge and moved here full time. I'm a huge outdoor recreation enthusiast, my main passions are hiking and photography. I recently moved to the Upper Peninsula with my boyfriend and our rescue dog Sisu. We are full time adventurers and photographers, exploring everything the UP has to offer.
Lake of the Clouds, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
2nd Place Video:
Bryan Lopac
Bio: I entered this contest to share the fall colors from around the Upper Peninsula as I traveled to each county this past fall season. I love All of the natural beauty we’re surrounded by in the Upper Peninsula. My video was part of a fall project I called ‘Fall 15’. I visited and took fall pictures/video in every county in the Upper Peninsula this fall season.
Instagram | Facebook | Website
Fall color around the U.P.
3rd Place Photo:
Michael Joseph
Bio: I entered the contest because I find the UP to be a photographically challenging environment. Many people outside of Michigan are not too familiar with the Upper Peninsula. It is a great honor to be a part of this contest and to help showcase a stunning part of the country.
I believe that the UP is still relatively undiscovered. I have had nothing but good experiences with the people who live here. There is a remote quality to the UP that creates a sense of mystery and adventure that is often difficult to find in many places. The coastlines, rocky terrain, forests, and waterfalls mix to create one of the most intriguing places that I have ever been.
I spend my summers working in Montana but I always look forward to returning the UP for the Fall season. Fall is my favorite season anywhere, but it is definitely special in Michigan.
Sable Falls
3rd Place Video:
Sandra Johnson
Bio: I entered this contest because I love the UP, I grew up here and live here now. There is endless beauty that surrounds us everyday from the forest to the beautiful lakes here in the UP. I am also a photographer and I love sharing photos of our beautiful state.
What I love most about the UP is the changing of the seasons. I can not pick a favorite one because they are all so beautiful, especially winter.
I have been a photographer and videographer for over 20 years. I love sharing my photos with the world. We can learn from nature, how it survives in all types of conditions and taking photos is my way of preserving history, one click at a time.