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TAKING THE HIGH GROUND

ArtPrize award winning photo of high above ‘The Mighty Mac’

“Three of my favorite things are the Mighty Mac, flying, and living on the edge! Make sure you buckle up folks! (This image, and those like it, are not approved by my wife)”

Let us introduce you to Tyler Leipprandt;

photographer extraordinaire with a little daredevil thrown in just for good measure. His most spectacular images have been captured hanging out of a helicopter high above the most iconic Michigan landmarks. It’s just another day at the office for Tyler, taking it all in stride perfecting his craft to create one of kind thrilling images. His company, Michigan Sky Media, is most renowned for and was founded on his breathtaking drone still shots, and videography. In showcasing Michigan’s magnificent beauty all around us Tyler can boast an impressive array of clients including Pure Michigan, Detroit Free Press, M-22, Vernors, Michigan State Parks, Michigan DNR, and many more. But Tyler, in true entrepreneur spirit, is venturing into so much more by expanding into 3-D virtual imagery in the real estate and business world. With non-stop energy, and a “can do” attitude, we are thrilled to partner with him to bring just a small amount of his resume to life in these pages. His biggest project to date was last November, spreading his wings moving his young family up to Traverse City.

“In the Summer of 2020, comet Neowise made a stunning appearance over an already spectacular Turnip Rock. This long exposure shot captures so much of the beauty but tricks the viewer into thinking the lake was calm, when actually I battled three-foot waves to get it.”

“I love to photograph the nights sky, but sometimes I will go the extra mile and capture star trails. This photo consists of 150 images taken over a 1-hour time span and stacked on top of each other. These streaks are created by the earth’s rotation.”

“Many people think this image may have been taken above Lake Superior as it has a lot of rock formations. It was actually captured in Port Austin over Lake Huron. Port Austin is also home to the famous Turnip Rock!”

“Lake Superior can be brutal and even deadly, but it can also be so majestic. For years, I have been wanting to travel to this cave at Pictured Rocks, and it sure did not disappoint, although I went in with two cameras and only left with one.”

“It was about two years ago when I called my wife and told her about this crazy idea (which I have many). At that moment, I had just gotten off the top of the Mackinac Bridge, dangling 550 feet in the air. She thought I was crazy, but my idea was to dangle Michigan’s most iconic locations.....I had just dangled the Mighty Mac, which is the hardest one to dangle because of the slim chance that people get to go up there. So over the last two years, I have dangled Detroit, U of M, MSU, Pictured Rocks, the Mackinac Bridge, and more all for this “idea” that I have.

This idea not only was a way to satisfy my extreme side, but was apart of a larger project I am working on for @artprize. ArtPrize is the world’s largest art competition in Grand Rapids, and it was canceled for the fall 2020. Talk about a huge bummer for me and all the work that had gone into my dangle series. I am hopeful that ArtPrize will return this year so I can share my two year adrenaline rush with you all!

As a photographer, these are the types of things that keep me going. I love to think outside the box and live on the edge.” — Tyler Leipprandt

“One of the most amazing sunrises I have ever witnessed was at Lake of the Clouds in the Upper Peninsula. The trees and sky couldn’t have given a more colorful display.”

What do you get when you give a technology instructor a drone?

An emerging Michigan photographer of course! Okay, so maybe that wasn’t what you expected, and honestly, me either, but that is exactly what happened.

I was working in education and personalized drones started hitting the market. I asked my wife if I could get one and she approved the purchase on one condition- that I found a way to earn back the expense. So, I did some research and made some contacts with real estate agents. With aerial photography being quite new, I quickly made up for the cost. As I learned to fly the drone, I soon found that I couldn’t help but snap pictures of the amazing view from the sky. Living in the thumb of Michigan at the time, I gravitated towards the shores, the sunsets, Turnip Rock and lighthouses. I spent a couple years improving my skills before deciding that I needed to broaden my horizons and added some handheld cameras to my arsenal. I spent countless hours researching, learning, and practicing my craft. Friends and family started sharing my pictures and business began picking up. My wife and I often called photography my “other full time job.” So much so that last fall, I decided to quit my 11-year career in education, sell our house, and pursue our dreams full time with Michigan Sky Media. My wife and I, with our four children in tow, knew that in order to pull this off, we needed to be in progressive “year round town.” And, Traverse City has proven to be that very place. It offers unmatched natural beauty and remarkable people with a true appreciation for creativity and adventure in all seasons. Both in business and family life, we are so grateful for the support and encouragement of our new Northern Michigan community.

I consider myself a self-taught (YouTube taught) photographer/videographer that has been blessed with some incredible opportunities to both challenge and display my skills. The fact that I love to push the limits and showcase unique perspectives has opened doors to working with organizations such as Pure Michigan,

The Michigan Sky Media Family

Vernors, the Detroit Free Press Marathon, Michigan State Parks and DNR, M22 and magazines such as Country Lines, Midwest and Baylife.

Looking ahead, we plan to continue traveling the beautiful state of Michigan and capturing all it has to offer. As you make your way around the mitten state, you can find my printed work displayed in the Port Austin Farmers Market (Port Austin, MI), Westbay Handmade (Traverse City, MI), Sleeping Bear Gallery (Empire, MI) and online at michiganskymedia.com. Make sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for fresh content. Also, keep your eye out for our work in the Grand Rapids ArtPrize Competition this Fall.

In addition to artwork, we offer some of the most customizable virtual 3D tours (for school districts, wineries, hotels, shops, real-estate...etc) commercial and personal videography (engagements, weddings, marketing...etc), and high-quality photography (product and real-estate). Our ability to capture from up close, in the air, and everywhere in between sets us apart. Stay beautiful Michigan—you make our job easy!