Pictures Over Stillwater drone school are held at various education venues presenting UAV UAS Drone related topics. These safety and awareness education and outreach activities include introduction, basic, beyond the basics, as well as advanced topics such as aerial photography videography, among others topics.
Education and awareness sessions range from large adult community education, high school, individual custom training along with STEM programs around the greater Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities metro area and online. Click here to learn more about Drone Education and upcoming events.
Q: Why do you need to learn to fly a drone as they are automated? A: Learn about the National Air Space (NAS) and where you can fly as well as other tips for flying drones safely. Otoh, you still need to learn how to drive a car, get a license even with self driving cars, or at least for now ;).
Q: Do classes include a live demonstration flight? A: Demonstration flights are weather and other condition dependent.
Q: Can students bring their drone to the classes? A: Yes.
Q: Where have you taught classes in the past? A: Anoka/Hennepin Community Education, Eden Prairie High School, Eden Prairie Central Middle School, Minneapolis Public Schools Community Education, North Central University STEM, Stillwater Area Public Schools Community Education, and Stillwater Public Library among others.
Q: How long have you been flying drones? A: Over 10 years for singles and quads for about eight years.
Q: How long have you been commercial licensed drone operator? A: Since May 2018
Q: How long have you been waivered to fly at night commercially? A: I received my 107.29 (daylight waiver) back in December 2018 which was valid until April 21, 2021 when daylight waivers were sunset (e.g. phased out). As of April 21, 2021 for those who have either taken the new initial, or recurrent part 107 test, you are now authorized to fly at night without a waiver (e.g. daylight and night waivers no longer exist).
Q: Do you have any other waivers? A: Yes, 107.39 (Operating Over People e.g. OOP) and 107.145 (Operating Over Moving Vehicles e.g. OOMV)
Q: How hard is it to get certified? A: Depends on how well you can learn (or memorize). Getting your FAA TRUST (The Recreational UAS Safety Test) certificate is relatively easy and quick, its free from various organizations such as AMA here. The next step takes more time which is getting your part 107.
Q: How many flights have you flown? A: Many thousands including indoors and outdoors.
Q: How many hours in the air do you have flying? A: Over 600 hours air time.
Q: How many miles total have you flown drones? A: Spanning thousands of flights several thousand miles flown.
Q: If I am not going to fly drones for commercial, why get a part 107? A: Additional experience, you also get access to additional airspace and privileges by being a part 107. Keep in mind that part 107 is often thought of as being commercial license, when in reality, its a category or type of certification that allows you to do more, one of those things being commercial activity.
Q: How much money can you make flying drones? A: Like many things it depends, keep in mind your costs of equipment, spare batteries, apps, licenses, registration, insurance among other costs that will impact what your earnings will be.
Q: Have you ever flown FPV, what do you think about them? A: Yes , check out our FPV experiences page here. FPV drones are great for those who like the FPV gaming experience, including racing, general recreation, as well as for action cinematography videography indoors as well as outdoors. Keep in mind if you are going to fly FPV outdoors you will need to have a Visual Observer (VO) standing next to you watching the aircraft (drone).
Q: Whats different from flying indoors vs outside? A: Besides obstacles, biggest difference is you may have poor to no GPS coverage that can impact automated flight modes, in other words, you want to practice your heads up and stick flying skills (or learn to fly FPV).
Pictures Over Stillwater is involved with Community Education presenting UAV UAS Drone classes at various venues around the greater Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities metro area as well as online.
Upcoming Free Webinar 7PM Central 2/26/25 Pro Tips for UAS – Drone Pilots Flying Above the Stigma – FAASafety.gov [GL13134806] Sponsored by LAS, MKE & MSP FAA FSDOs Learn more and register here.
Minneapolis Public Schools Adult Community Education Drones 1: Fundamentals, Learn more and register here. Monday February 24, 2025 6:00-8:30PM Ella Baker School
Minneapolis Public Schools Adult Community Education Drones 2: Aerial Photography & Video, Learn more and register here. Monday March 10, 2025 6:00-8:30PM Ella Baker School
Minneapolis Public Schools Adult Community Education Drones 3: Aerial Photo & Video Advanced, Learn more and register here. Monday March 24, 2025 6:00-8:30PM Ella Baker School
Minneapolis Public Schools Adult Community Education Drones 1: Fundamentals, (Check back for registration) Monday April 14, 2025 6:00-8:30PM Ella Baker School
Minneapolis Public Schools Adult Community Education Drones 2: Aerial Photography & Video, (Check back for registration) Monday April 28, 2025 6:00-8:30PM Ella Baker School
Minneapolis Public Schools Adult Community Education Drones 3: Aerial Photo & Video Advanced (Check back for registration) Monday May 12, 2025 6:00-8:30PM Ella Baker School
Minneapolis Public Schools Adult Community Education Drones 1: Fundamentals (Check back for registration) Monday June 24, 2025 6:00-8:30PM Justice Page School
Stillwater Area Public Schools Adult Community Ed Drones Fundamentals (Check back for registration) Saturday June 7, 2025 9:00AM-Noon, SAPS High School/PAC
Stillwater Area Public Schools Adult Community Ed Drones Beyond Basics (Check back for registration) Saturday June 14, 2025 9:00AM-Noon, SAPS High School/PAC
Stillwater Area Public Schools Adult Community Ed Drones Aerial Photo & Video (Check back for registration) Saturday June 21, 2025 9:00AM-Noon, SAPS High School/PAC
Stillwater Area Public Schools Adult Community Ed Drones Aerial Photo & Video Advanced (Check back for registration) Saturday June 28, 2025 9:00AM-Noon, SAPS High School/PAC
Minneapolis Public Schools Adult Community Education Drones 2: Aerial Photo & Video (Check back for registration) Monday July 16, 2025 6:00-8:30PM Dowling School
Pictures Over Stillwater In Person Training and Consulting
Picture Over Stillwater also provides in-person custom one on one, and group UAS, UAV, Drone classes, seminars, coaching and consulting. Give us a call or send an email to learn more about our drone school, custom education, training, consulting and other drone service offerings.
On Thursday February 6, 2025 Pictures Over Stillwater Founder Greg Schulz (me) was an in the KSTP TV studio guest for a live segment on Minnesota Live with Megan Newquist, Chris Egert and Ken Barlow.
Our conversation included how I got into doing drone aerial photography and video, as well as ground based photos & video, drone safety, covering and capturing events, drone community education and more.
During the conversation several video and photo images appeared from around the twin cities metro area along with Stillwater and St Croix River Valley. Catch the replay here at Minnesota Live.
Courses are lead by Pictures Over Stillwater founder and chief remote pilot Greg Schulz. Greg is an professional FAA Part 107 certified (e.g. licensed) commercial drone operator (e.g. Remote Pilot In Command RPIC). In addition to being FAA Part 107, Greg is also MnDoT aeronautics licensed and insured. His drone flight experience includes having a 107.29 daylight waiver for night flights, 107.39 (Operating Over People e.g. OOP), 107.145 (Operating Over Moving Vehicles e.g. OOMV) along with various 107.41 airspace authorizations to fly in “0” or no fly zones as well as above published altitudes with FAA approval. Greg has accumulated hundreds of drone hours in the air, flown over a thousand drone air miles, spanning thousands of drone flights. As a professional drone operator Greg does projects involving aerial photography, video, FPV, thermal, photogrammetry (2D/3D model map image survey), inspection and other activity for construction, real estate, events among others, including indoor flights. Greg is also an FAASTeam DronePro representive for Minneapolis region.
Click on above to view more World Snow Sculpting Images
Click on above to view Stillwater Harvest Fest images #smashinggoodtime
2022 Food Truck Event Washington County Fair Grounds
Video of Greater Stillwater Area Chamber of Commerce 2022 Food Truck Extravaganza Event June 18, 2022 held at Washington County Fairgrounds near Stillwater, Oak Park Heights and Lake Elmo Minnesota.
Stillwater Fire Department 150 Year Anniversary Event
Time lapse video and aerial views of Stillwater Fire Department 150 year anniversary event celebration Stillwater Minnesota June 3 2022.
2022 Fire and Ice Event
2022 Fire and Ice Event Downtown Stillwater Minnesota
2022 World Snow Sculpting Championship #wssc
Preparations are underway downtown Stillwater Minnesota for the upcoming World Snow Sculpting Championship #WSSC event in mid January 2022. The following is a short video showing snow being made on January 6th for the event that starts on January 18th.
Ice Palace Maze Season Two Opening Night January 15 2022
This page is a collection of upper Midwest, Western Wisconsin, Minnesota, Minneapolis, St Paul, Stillwater, Mississippi River, St Croix River Valley and other floods flooding content.
Stock Images Video B Roll for Press Media News Producers
We have stock photo still images along with video B roll footage available for licensed use by Press Media News Producers Editors Writers. Our imagery has appeared in various online, on air, and print venues. Contact us at info at picturesoverstillwater.com to let us know what you need, or visit our gallery for self service shopping needs.
NOAA Weather Service St. Croix River Stillwater Forecast
Returning for its 6th season 2024 Opera On The River July 27 Stillwater Minnesota downtown 7PM outdoors in Lowell Park along scenic St Croix River front. The event is free and open to the public along with VIP seating for a fee. Learn more at the event page here.
Being in the park, in addition to reserved seating, there is free and open seating (or standing) in and around Lowell Park, or, if you prefer, from your boat. For the hearing impaired, there will be ASL service during the event. Even if you are not an opera fan, these shows are a lot of fun as they have a great mix of classical and musical songs that they perform.
Stillwater Evening Hot Air Balloons
2023 Opera On The River Video Views
Past Opera on the River Events
On Sunday August 2, 2020, On Saturday evening August 10 2019 Operatunity Theatre presented their Opera On The Virtual river event. The 2020 event was a social distanced production taking place near the St Croix River and downtown Stillwater as well as being live streamed on FaceBook and YouTube.
Pictures Over Stillwater was honored to be involved with the production and live stream of the event providing aerial video images of the St Croix River Valley, Downtown Stillwater and event areas as well as documenting behind the scenes of this social distanced event.
Watch for more images (still, video and 360 of the 2020 event to appear hear soon. Visit the Operatunity Theatre website and Facebook page to learn more about this event, St Croix Valley Opera and related information.
Views from Opera On The River Event
The 2020 event follows the 2019 inaugural downtown Stillwater Minnesota opera on the river free event.
Click on above image to view more Opera On The River Images
Downtown Stillwater St. Croix River Valley (few days before Opera event)
Despite the on and off rain throughout the day, the organizers, performers, volunteers as well as attendees braved the elements and proved that the show must and will go on.
The following image was taken during the soundcheck Saturday afternoon with some cast and crew on stage while Stillwater Minnesota native headliner Jack Swanson appeared at ease with the elements. When I saw this view during the soundcheck and the confidence of cast and crew, my thoughts were that rain or shine, this would be a great event.
The Opera On The River Show Must Go On
The following are some images of Opera On The River downtown Stillwater along St. Croix River during the performance after the rains passed (and a short delay to allow conditions to improve).
Looking Forward to 2020 Opera On the River
Thank you to Opportunity Theatre event organizers, staff, volunteers, performers for allow Pictures Over Stillwater full access to capture these and other images of this inaugural event. Also thanks to all of the sponsors and attendees who braved the elements for this first of what will become an annual event. Hopefully the weather and conditions will look more like the following image of the St. Croix River valley and downtown Stillwater for the 2020 event.
Drone based Building Construction Aerial Photography Videography progress inspections projects. Pictures Over Stillwater performs drone based Construction Aerial Photography, Videography, Photogrammetry imaging (2D, 3D, Mapping), are among Pictures Over Stillwater focus areas. Our construction experience spans from design phase pre-build virtual outward looking views to support Building Information Modeling (BIM), to one-off ad-hoc marketing “Hero” shots. Our project experience includes FPV fly through virtual tours, special events (ground breaking, top-off, major milestones), to recurring activity indoors and outdoors on projects spanning multiple years.
We have done residential and commercial construction aerial photography videography imaging mapping and virtual tour projects from western Wisconsin to the west metro, from norther to southern suburbs, as well as throughout the greater Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities metro area.
Our project experience includes flying in restricted no fly zones adjacent to major airports where special coordination and airspace from the FAA has been required, to flying in controlled airspace with normal FAA airspace authorization, as well out in the middle of farm fields and empty lots.
What We Have Done
Pictures Over Stillwater recurring construction drone aerial photography videography and imaging experience includes both hand flying, as well as autonomous (programmed) missions to capture view perspective that are the same (height, location, focus point) for each flight for long term time lapse comparison and progress reporting. Image capture (indoor and outdoor, ground and aerial) includes still photography, video, imaging mapping (2D, 3D), oblique, nadir, time lapse, panoramic, as well as 360 (still, video, time lapse).
Our project portfolio experience includes fly and capturing image of undeveloped properties ranging from an acre to over 200 acres, from horizontal below grade infrastructure and utilities site prep to tall vertical structures above ground. We have captured imagery from inside and outside, on the ground, to high over tall buildings in downtown Minneapolis and St Paul.
Pictures Over Stillwater construction aerial photography videography experience includes close up inspections of roofs and other items, to wide view images, from single residence to large multi-story structures, from a few thousand to hundreds of thousands of square feet in size.
2022 Demo Reel Indoor Outdoor Aerial Video Views
Sampling of what we have done around the Twin Cities metro area: ✓ Capture ground and aerial, indoors (including drone) and outdoors ✓ One off inspections of roofs, buildings, towers and other structures ✓ FPV fly through virtual tours inside and outside ✓ Building facades, oblique and ortho among other views ✓ Recurring projects spanning days, weeks, months and years ✓ Fly in, fly through and look around views plus traditional views ✓ Fly autonomous missions with Litchi, DJI, Autel, DroneDeploy, Pix4D ✓ BIM content for Pix4D, DroneDeploy, Cupix, ODM among others ✓ Virtual views from locations during design and before build ✓ Fly in, around, outside of buildings including high-rise structures ✓ Fly indoors down an elevator shaft and into a large HVAC air duct ✓ Capture images in close proximity to cranes and helicopter lifts ✓ Capture aerial views of heavy lift structure top off events ✓ Ground breaking, special events, major milestone ✓ Year round from heat of summer to below zero winter weather
Who Have We Worked For
Pictures Over Stillwater has captured ground and drone based construction aerial photography videography, imaging and other content for local, regional, and national land owners, property developers, designers, architects, engineers, general contractors, subs including mechanical, roofing, site prep excavators, suppliers, owners as well as third parties and service providers.
What We Can Do For You
One off, standard packages and custom solutions for inside, outside, on and from the ground as well as drone based aerial creative services content capture and creation. Still photography, videography, photogrammety mapping model 2D 3D image capture, 360 (still, video, time lapse), panoramic, oblique, spherical, time-lapse, live real-time video feeds as well as audio.
✓ Capture images and upload for you or your service provider ✓ Post production services including video, photo, 2D 3D maps models ✓ Augment your staff or creative services departments capabilities ✓ Provide drone operation training and flight operations reviews ✓ Assist your staff with flight planning, waivers, airspace authorizations ✓ Capture before, during and after images of structures ✓ Architect, Design, Engineering, construction BIM content ✓ Structure placement studies and content capture ✓ Views of where structure will be and is being constructed ✓ Outward views of where structure will be or is being built
Pictures Over Stillwater drone school are held at various education venues presenting UAV UAS Drone related topics. These safety and awareness education and outreach activities include introduction, basic, beyond the basics, as well as advanced topics such as aerial photography videography, among others topics.
Education and awareness sessions range from large adult community education, high school, individual custom training along with STEM programs around the greater Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities metro area and online. Click here to learn more about Drone Education and upcoming events.
2022 Fire and Ice Event Downtown Stillwater Lights Minnesota
Zephyr Theatre 2022 Ice Palace Maze
Making Snow For 2022 World Snow Sculpting Championship
Preparations are underway downtown Stillwater Minnesota for the upcoming World Snow Sculpting Championship (WSSC) event in mid-January 2022. The following is a short video showing snow-making on January 6th for the WSSC event that starts on January 18th.
2021 Light up Stillwater #homefortheholidays
Kicking off the 2021 holiday season and home for the holidays among other events was the lighting of the new lights on the northside of the lift bridge, followed on December 4, 2021 with #twinkleparty tree lighting and fireworks and #homefortheholidays.
Downtown Stillwater Minnesota November 26 2021
Season Three 2020 2021 Stillwater Lights
Ice Maze From Before Construction Until It Vanishes
Aerial Daytime and Night Lights Fire & Ice Event
Downtown Stillwater Fire and Ice
Downtown Stillwater Fire and Ice
Downtown Stillwater Fire and Ice
Opening night downtown Stillwater Minnesota Ice Maze
Downtown Ice Maze
Aerial Night View Ice Maze Stillwater Zephyr Theatre
Inaugural Night Stillwater Lights Historic Lift Bridge Lights Up
You may have seen our images including some shown on this page in various venues from local and regional news (print, TV, web) and social media among others. We have stock images some shown on this page for sale as prints, metal prints, wall art as well as digital downloads (click here or on the images to learn more about buying options).
In addition to prints, wall art, and digital download stock images, we also have video B Roll available, and other creative services. Contact us to learn more or discuss your particular needs.
Aerial Video Wintertime in Stillwater Minnesota Holiday Lights Views
Stillwater Lights Light Up Stillwater 2020
New in December 2020 Stillwater Minnesota has expanded Stillwater lights along main street downtown, chestnut plaza with overhead led lights and a led virtual tree. Also new is that for the first time, the nearly 100 year old historic lift bridge has been lit up with lights.
Winter in Stillwater Minnesota Lift Bridge Lit Up
The new additions with more in the works combine with previous holiday light display and tree decorations to create a winter wonderland wintertime in Stillwater holiday light display experience (all are free).
There is plenty of free parking downtown Stillwater to check out the holiday light display and hometown for the holidays in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin.
VACtv Video with Aerial Footage Provided by Pictures Over Stillwater
Click on the images to view more, shopping and buying options for prints, wall art (including metal prints), along with digital downloads of stock images.
Early November Sunrise Fall Colors Downtown Stillwater
View from above Water Street Inn Clock Tower Downtown Stillwater
July 4th 2019 Fireworks with Downtown Stillwater Minnesota as backdrop
Light Up Stillwater Downtown Mainstreet 2020 2021
Fall aerial view downtown Stillwater Mainstreet and St Croix River
Summer 2020 Pandemic Drive in Movies Mainstreet Stillwater
Pony Stadium Lit Up The Night Minnesota Lights April 2020
Mainstreet Downtown Stillwater Lit Up Pony Class 2020 Parade
Light Up Stillwater Lights Season 2019 2020
After making its debut season in December 2018, the Greater Stillwater Area Chamber of Commerce Downtown Stillwater Lights season two has started. Learn more about Stillwater Lights and Greater Stillwater Area Chamber of Commerce via their website here.
Lights Downtown stillwater minnesota near mainstreet November 2019
Season Two Light Up Stillwater Setup November 2019
November 2019 Ready For Snow Mainstreet Downtown Stillwater
Evening Sunset View Downtown Stillwater
Season One 2018 2019
In downtown Stillwater Minnesota along the St Croix River there is a new attraction starting December 21, 2018 called Stillwater Lights. The new attraction is an experience that you walk through (and its free open to the public) an open-air tunnel of lights. At the base, it is about 24 feet wide and around 18 feet tall (give or take a foot or two).
February Sunset Fresh Snow Downtown Stillwater
Winter Mainstreet Downtown Stillwater Minnesota
New St Croix Crossing Sunset Moonrise near Stillwater
Click on the above 360 image to navigate the view
Click on above image to view additional images in our gallery of lights
Note that the 2023 Ice Maze has been moved to Eagan Minnesota at Viking Lakes, learn more here.
Something cool is in town, the Zephyr Theatre Stillwater Minnesota Ice Palace Maze. The new Ice Palace Maze is also believed to be the largest in the United States and indeed in Stillwater, Minnesota.
Find the Ice Palace Maze in the Zephyr Theatre Parking Lot, 601 Main Street North, downtown Stillwater, just a few blocks and in sight of the world snow sculpting championship #wssc event downtown Stillwater Minnesota.
The Ice Palace Maze is larger, new layout, more features, ice carvings, fun and much more. Contact Zephyr Theatre box office for tickets and learn more IcePalaceMaze.com.
Inaugural Season 2021
Opening night downtown Stillwater Minnesota Ice Maze
All lit up Stillwater Lights Downtown Ice Maze
Wakey Wakey early morning opening day Stillwater Ice Maze
Aerial Night View Ice Maze Stillwater Zephyr Theatre
Blue Hour Cool Cold Stillwater Ice Maze
Downtown Stillwater Ice Maze Construction
Aerial View Ice Maze Ice Palace Stillwater
Construction and Aerial Video View Ice Maze January 18, 2021
How large is the Ice Palace Maze? It measures 114 feet by 72 feet, consisting of about 1,500 blocks of ice. Meanwhile, the Ice Palace Maze has a perimeter wall about 8 to 9 feet tall. As part of the Ice Palace Maze, there will also be a 36′ slide, among other features.
About the Zephyr Theatre Ice Palace Maze Downtown Stillwater
For safety, limited to 100 visitors at a time. Restrooms are open, and as is the Zephyr Theatre Bar. Masks required when inside. Free parking is available adjacent to the Zephyr Theatre. Cost is free for kids under four and over 100 years old, ages 5 through 12 $10. For ages 13 through 100 cost is $15. Tickets can be bought in advance or walk-up, depending on availability.
While currently under construction, the Ice Palace Maze is scheduled to be completed by January 22, 2021. Ice Palace Maze visiting hours will be Tuesday through Friday, 5 PM to 10 PM, and 12 PM to 10 PM on Saturday and Sundays. The Ice Palace Maze will be open from January 22 to February 28, weather permitting.
Other Wintertime In Stillwater Updates
Similarly recent additions to downtown Stillwater Lights include the historic lift bridge being lit up. Other downtown Stillwater Minnesota winter updates include an ice skating hockey rink adjacent to the historic lift bridge. An overhead light show on the mall leading to the lift bridge and upcoming events.
Aerial Daytime and Night Stillwater Lights Fire & Ice Event
Downtown Stillwater Minnesota Lift Bridge Winter Wonderland Ice Rink being created downtown Stillwater Winter wonderland winter in Stillwater Minnesota Stillwater Lights
In conclusion, learn more about the Ice Maze here IcePalaceMaze.com.
Contact Zephyr Theatre via phone 651-342-1542 or email at boxoffice@stillwaterzephyrtheatre.org and learn more about the Zephyr Theatre Ice Palace Ice Maze at IcePalaceMaze.com.
Like the images on this page? Browse, shop and buy digital downloads (website, blog and zoom backgrounds), images for marketing mailing as well as prints, wall art, metal prints and more here on our shopping page.
