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.
Vote now!
The finalists are in, vote for your favorite photo and video below. Voting is open until 1/3/2025 at Noon ET.
Prizes you could win
Here is what you could win in either our photo or video contest!
FIRST PLACE PHOTO AND VIDEO:
- $150 in gift cards
- Upper Peninsula merchandise
- Featured and credited on:
- Homepage of uptravel.com for the duration of the next season
- Galleries across the uptravel.com website
- E-newsletters
- Social media platforms — posts and stories
- Photo contest landing page featuring your biographical information
SECOND PLACE PHOTO AND VIDEO:
- $100 in gift cards
- Upper Peninsula merchandise
- Featured and credited on:
- Galleries across the uptravel.com website
- Social media platforms — posts and stories
- Photo contest landing page featuring your biographical information
THIRD PLACE PHOTO AND VIDEO:
- $50 in gift cards
- Upper Peninsula merchandise
- Featured and credited on:
- Galleries across the uptravel.com website
- Social media platforms — posts and stories
- Photo contest landing page featuring your biographical information
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.