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U.P. WINTER VIDEO CONTEST

Have you captured the magic of Michigan's Upper Peninsula on video? Hidden waterfalls, snowy peaks, frozen lakes - do you have secret wintery wonders waiting to be unveiled? Now's your chance to share them! UP Travel is thrilled to announce its winter video contest! Submit any stunning winter videos you've taken in the U.P. within the last two years and be in the running for awesome prizes! Your masterpiece could even be featured in our official marketing materials. So, grab your snowshoes and get ready to showcase the U.P.'s winter wonderland! Below are all the details, join the excitement!

Contest is currently closed and no longer accepting submissions. Check back for voting link!

Contest rules

  • Submissions are due by March 15, 2024 at 4 p.m. ET. 
  • Submit as many entries as you want!
  • All submissions must be taken in the U.P. during winter within the last two years with the location labeled. 
  • You must agree to the UP Travel Terms & Conditions before submitting your photos and videos.

What to submit

  • Make sure your submissions meet these criteria!
    • Your video can be filmed vertically or horizontally.
    • Your video must be shot in 4k.
    • Location of photo/video must be listed in each submission.
    • To keep voting anonymous, only videos without a watermark will be accepted.

Contest judging 

  • UP Travel staff will narrow entries down to the top three videos.
  • Final votes from the public will determine first-, second- and third-place winners. The voting form will be on our website with videos linked. One vote is allowed per person in total.
  • Public voting will run from March 18-25, 2024. Winners will be announced in the following weeks.

Contest prizes

Here’s what you’ll get if you win our contest! 

FIRST PLACE VIDEO:

  • $150 in gift cards
  • Upper Peninsula merchandise
  • Featured and credited on:
    • Homepage of uptravel.com for the duration of the winter season
    • Galleries across the uptravel.com website
    • E-newsletter
    • Social media platforms — posts and stories
    • Video contest landing page featuring your bio and links to website and social media platforms, if desired

SECOND PLACE VIDEO: 

  • $100 in gift cards
  • Upper Peninsula merchandise
  • Featured and credited on:
    • Galleries across the uptravel.com website
    • Social media platforms — posts and stories
    • Video contest landing page featuring your bio and links to website and social media platforms, if desired

THIRD PLACE VIDEO:

  • $50 in gift cards
  • Upper Peninsula merchandise
  • Featured and credited on:
    • Galleries across the uptravel.com website
    • Social media platforms — posts and stories
    • Video contest landing page featuring your bio and links to website and social media platforms, if desired

Contest is currently closed and no longer accepting submissions. Check back for voting link!


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.

Instagram

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.

Instagram

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.

Instagram | Facebook

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.

Instagram

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.

InstagramWebsite

Fall color tree tops

2023 Spring/Summer Contest Winners:

1st Place Photo:

Jenny Miner

Bio: I entered the contest because I love capturing the beauty that is the Upper Peninsula. I love so many things about the Upper Peninsula. There is no place in the midwest that is as serene, scenic, or wild as the UP. 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 would consider myself a "hobbyist" when it comes to photography. I love the outdoors and wildlife so most of my photographs reflect that. Observing the natural world is my favorite way to spend any day. Whether it's something as amazing as a moose or an eagle, or something as simple as a red squirrel harvesting pine cones, I am captivated! I was born and raised in north central Wisconsin. Over the years, my husband and I vacationed in different parts of the Upper Peninsula. About seven years ago we bought a very rustic camp near Big Bay and just over two years ago we decided to become full time residents of the Upper Peninsula and bought a little place in Au Train. We just love it here!

flickr

Northern Lights in Au Train

1st Place Video:

Jake Ring

Bio: I entered the contest because I've got a lot of great Upper Peninsula videos to share, including this one of Gabbro Falls at massive high flows. My favorite part about the UP is its rivers, creeks, lakes, and waterfalls. I love finding new waterfalls and am working toward finding 1000 waterfalls in the U.P.

Instagram

Rushing Gabbro Falls

2nd Place Photo:

Miranda Iagnemma

Bio: I think that the rugged beauty of Michigans Upper Peninsula is so underrated when it comes to non Michiganders. Here in Michigan we know what the UP has to offer, it’s why many of us travel “up north” for relaxation as much as we can. I think a lot of non mitten folks know of places like Mackinac Island and Pictured Rocks. And while both locations are beyond stunning, as well as being two of my favorite destinations, I do love having the ability to travel to the lesser known awesome places and using social media platforms to showcase them to those who don’t even know they exist to begin with!

What I love about the UP is that while it’s a nature lovers dream, it also offers some quirky and fun things to do that are honestly not found anywhere else (look at Mackinac Island). There’s nothing quite like traveling north across that 5 mile long bridge, and knowing that endless amounts of beauty, yummy pasties, the very distinct yooper accent and limited cellphone service are all waiting for you.

Instagram

Crisp Point

2nd Place Video:

Angel Maciel

Bio: I entered the contest because I have always been drawn to the beauty and serenity of the Upper Peninsula. Its natural landscapes and unique charm have captivated me for years, and I wanted to find a way to express my admiration for this incredible region. Additionally, the contest provided an opportunity for me to connect with others who share a similar appreciation for the Upper Peninsula's special qualities.

What I love most about the Upper Peninsula is its pristine and unspoiled natural environment. The vast forests, crystal-clear lakes, rugged coastlines, and serene wilderness areas offer endless opportunities for outdoor exploration and photography. The Upper Peninsula is a place where you can truly connect with nature, whether it's hiking through the forests, kayaking on Lake Superior, or simply enjoying the tranquility of the wilderness. It's a place I hope to one day call home.

Instagram

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

3rd Place Photo:

Rachel Raak

Bio: I entered the contest in an attempt to show bits of God's beauty.What I love most about the Upper Peninsula is the outdoors and the community. So lucky to live 5 minutes to the trails and lake. I can and have hiked, mountain biked, sailing, and golfing all in one day. Also the community is amazing a lot of great friends.

Instagram 

Sunset at Sugarloaf in Marquette

3rd Place Video:

Taylor Crenshaw

Bio: I entered the contest because I was able to visit home for a week from Washington state and I made it my mission to go and take photos of my favorite places. Mainly I did this because I realized I never took pictures or videos of it before when I lived there and it was hard to show my new friends on the other side of the country how beautiful the U.P. is.

There are so many things I love about the U.P. I’m from there so it gives me that feeling of belonging that I haven’t felt anywhere else. Some of my favorite things about it are the seclusion and tranquility of it. It’s a place where you can really connect with nature and the environment. And speaking of the nature, the cliffs, beaches, and forests are unmatched in beauty, not to mention the bonus of the northern lights. People love to hate on the harsh winters there, but watching giant ice pancakes float off the shores of Lake Superior at sunset isn’t something you can find in very many places. The strong sense of community in the U.P. is something else I miss. It’s always a pleasure to meet other yoopers in my travels.

Instagram 

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore


2023 Winter Contest Winners:

1st Place Photo:

Marybeth Kiczenski

Bio: The Upper Peninsula holds a special place in my heart.  As a family, we would go "up north" every summer, and that's where my love for the area grew.  From the beaches, to the forest, waterfalls to lighthouses;  Michigan's Upper Peninsula has it all.  It's a place I go to heal; to relax. There's an incredible sense of peace there and that is what keeps me coming back! I entered this contest to share my love for the Upper Peninsula. It always brings me joy to share these beautiful locations with others, and help them perhaps realize that the U.P. is more than a destination, it is where stories and memories are made! 

Instagram | Facebook | Website

Northern Lights at the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse

1st Place Video:

Jake Ring

Bio: I entered the contest because almost all of my photos and videos are in the Upper Peninsula where I call home. It made sense to show off the west side of the U.P. in the off chance my video got selected. I love a lot of things about the U.P.! What I love most is its wild rivers, canyons and waterfalls. I spend my free time finding unknown and undocumented waterfalls, and truly believe there are over 1000 waterfalls in the Upper Peninsula. 

Instagram

Waterfalls and rivers in Ironwood

2nd Place Photo:

Justin Miller

Bio: I entered the photo contest to challenge myself. As a Texan Native we don't have winters. So going out to the UP where there is usually tons of snow provides interesting compositions and challenging conditions I've never photographed before. I took this photo only 3 months after moving to Michigan. I had done Previous research on where the darkest and highest quality skies are in Michigan and that place is the UP. What I love about the UP is the sheer wilderness. The lack of light pollution makes it the Ideal place for AstroPhotography. There's so much to do and so much to see but so little time to do so! A couple projects I have in the works are a full arch milky way panorama of Tahquamenon Falls and I'd like to get the aurora above bond falls. 

Instagram | Website

Night Sky at Tahquamenon Falls

2nd Place Video:

Hillary Marshall

Bio: I entered the contest to share a locals perspective of just how beautiful our winters can be. I love the upper peninsula for its beauty in every season. Adventure is available in every one of its corners. Can’t forget to mention our out of this world sunrises!

Instagram

Lake Superior Sunrise, Marquette

3rd Place Photo:

Lawrence Johnson

Bio: I did this contest to boost my photography business. I love going to the UP for photos and it’s just amazing to visit the UP.

Instagram

Old 510 Bridge, Negaunee Township

3rd Place Video:

Bryan Lopac

Bio: I enjoy sharing with others the beauty of the UP. Not everyone can go see certain parts or do things so I try to bring it to them.

Instagram

Fresh snowfall in the Upper Peninsula