I’m sure that by now most of you have seen some photos that Celeste and I have posted from our June trip to Copper Peak, located in Ironwood Michigan. However, that being the case, I’ve had a lot of people ask me what our trip and our shoot was all about. The truth of the matter is that I just want an excuse to blog these amazing photos from this spot that is truly one of the most beautiful areas I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting… and even better, I was paid to do a shoot here! In the way of explanation I offer the following photo, which really explains it much better than I could…
The facility has not been used in many years and is now in the process of being renovated for a ski flying competition that will be held there in 2014. Bryan Sanders, who was a US Olympian in ski jumping at the 1992 Olympic Winter Games in Albertville, France, is spearheading the project along with the Copper Peak Board of Directors. I’m going to include a link to an article that gives great information about what is happening at Copper Peak:
Ski Flyers to Fly Again in 2014 at Copper Peak
Here is Bryan, who is a great guy by the way… their intern Matt Croschere, who was so kind and took Celeste and I all around Copper Peak and it’s environs, having mapped out every single waterfall and interesting natural feature in the area, and the Copper Peak Board of Directors, who were a super nice bunch of men. There is also some images from the history of this facility thrown in.
As for Celeste and I, it is our task to photograph the jump, the facilities and the area for their website and other promotional purposes… and to do this in the spring/summer, the fall and then the winter. In fact we plan on being there for the first competition! It is really a dream job and we are so thrilled to be a part of what is happening at Copper Peak.
And now on to some photos… Before we even got to the UP, otherwise known as the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where the jump is located, we flew into Minneapolis and drove to our destination. We wouldn’t be girls… or photographers… if we hadn’t first done a little airport shopping as well as a couple mini photo shoots on the way… the landscape and the area are so amazingly scenic!
Before we could spread out and photograph the area around the jump we had to climb… yes climb… the jump itself and get some photos from the air. The ski lift takes you to the top of the hill but the rest of the way requires hoofing it so to speak. For this South Dakota/Texas girl who has always been afraid of heights, this was a feat in itself… but soooo worth it! What a sense of accomplishment and what an amazing view. Of course it didn’t bother Celeste a bit… that’s my adventurous daughter!
After this amazing climb, we were off to photograph the surrounding area, and let me tell you the natural beauty is breathtaking! I am going to let the photos speak for themselves. Copper Peak, Day 1:
We got up on Sunday ready for more shooting and we photographed everything we could before having to race to the airport and catch a plane back to Texas. Here is Copper Peak Day 2:
What an absolutely amazing trip and such a renewing experience! It’s such a blessing to get to do these kinds of jobs with my daughter whose wonder about the world around her equals my own. We can’t wait to go back in September and photograph the fall color!
