Trope Publishing has released a new coffee table picture book titled Above & Across Twin Cities, featuring stunning, breathtaking views captured from the sky, including drone images. While not on the cover, it’s an honor to have eighteen of my drone aerial photography images of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, included in this picture book, along with those of my eight fellow Twin Cities photographers.
Minnesota State Capital St Paul by Greg Schulz
From the publisher (Trope): “Above & Across Twin Cities captures the stunning beauty and natural elegance of Minneapolis-St. Paul as seen from the sky.
Showcasing historic architecture, the modern skyline, notable landmarks, and natural scenery, the images capture the twin cities’ vibrant character and historical significance. This unique collection creates a contemporary portrait of Minneapolis-St. Paul, captured in all four seasons.
Through a series of breathtaking images, readers are invited to explore the city’s iconic landmarks, including the Minnesota State Capitol, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and the Stone Arch Bridge, as well as lesser-known corners of the city that are equally captivating.
Above & Across Twin Cities features stunning aerial shots that offer a bird’s-eye view of the city, capturing its diverse skyline and urban landscape in an entirely new light. With its striking visuals and thoughtful commentary, including a foreword by Peggy Flanagan, Lt. Governor of Minnesota, this photography book is a must-have for anyone who loves Minneapolis-St. Paul or wants to experience its beauty from a new perspective.
Featured photographers include: Dan Anderson, Michael Anderson, Mark Bergeron, Malik Blaylark, Zach Butler, Omar Ghrayeb, Jamie Hiner, Brian Johnson, Greg Schulz.”
The Details of Above & Across Twin Cities
Above & Across Twin Cities Hardcover 200 pages Size: 8.0 x 10.658 inches 140 Photographs Photographer: Various ISBN: 978-1-951963-58-3
Images by Greg Schulz in Above & Across Twin Cities
The following are my drone aerial photography images that are included in the Above & Across Twin Cities book that you can order here. You can also view my images that are part of Above & Across Twin Cities, as well as order digital downloads, prints, metal prints, framed prints, wall art, puzzles and more via our online gallery found here.
Images in Above & Across Twin Cities by Greg Schulz
Wrapping Up
Being part of Above & Across Twin Cities is exciting for me, as it is my first picture book and a throwback of sorts to my first technology book, published back in 2002 (The Resilient Enterprise/Veritas Press), which was also in conjunction with several other authors. That was the precursor to co-writing other technology books, as well as publishing five solo books.
Does this mean another picture book is in the works? Good question with no answer, at least as of yet.
2026 World Snow Celebration Snow Sculpting Day 4 (1/17/26)
2026 World Snow Celebration Snow Sculpting Day 2 (1/15/26)
2026 World Snow Celebration Snow Sculpting Day 1 (1/14/26)
2026 Winning Teams
1st place Team Fjordwitches from Canada with their creation The Inosculation of Souls
3D animated Snow Sculpture TEAM FJORDWITCHES of Canada, titled The Inosculation of Souls. The 2026 WSSC First place overall competition winner, and artists choice winner.
2nd place Team Falcon of Mongolia with their creation Legend
3rd place Team Thailand with their creation Life in Frame
People’s choice Team Kawsay from Peru with their creation Tupuna / Enlace
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
The above among other stock B Roll video clips are available for purchase by clicking here (as well as on the links above). Cant find what you are looking for or have questions, contact us to discuss other available options.
Check Out Our Collections of Stock Photos
We also have a large variety of stock photos available for digital download purchase available at our gallery sites including:
The following are various Pictures Over Stillwater drone based aerial photography and video images of different Boats Marinas Yacht Clubs as well as Harbors from around the Minneapolis St. Paul greater twin cities area.
Hyperlapse Spring Sunset Ice Flow St Croix River Stillwater Minnesota
Early Spring Morning Boating Aerial View St Croix River
The following video is an example of what happens when you dont get your boat out of the water in the fall and winter freeze comes early. This is near the DNR public boat launch ramp north of Stillwater on St. Croix River near Wolf Marina view looking south.
Have an upcoming event at a Marina, Association or other venue, or simply looking for images (still and video) of your facility or boat?
2023 World Snow Sculpting Championship Video from Stillwater Minnesota capturing preparations, carving, visitors, crowds, day, night, drone aerial and up close views of the artists creations. The 2nd annual World Snow Sculpting Championship #wssc event was held in Stillwater Minnesota January 18th through 22nd 2023. The #wssc event is downtown Stillwater Minnesota in Lowell Park north of the St Croix river historic lift bridge.
Click here to view images and video from the 2024 World Snow Sculpting Championship event in Stillwater.
Click here to view a longer length version of the video.
The 2025 Stillwater Minnesota World Snow Celebration is a rebranding and expansion of the previous World Snow Sculpting Championship #wssc events. The 2025 Stillwater Minnesota Snow Celebration event downtown Stillwater adjacent to the St Croix River and Historic Lift Bridge located in the eastern twin cities Minneapolis St Paul metro area.
2026 World Snow Celebration Snow Sculpting Day 4 (1/17/26)
2026 World Snow Celebration Snow Sculpting Day 2 (1/15/26)
2026 World Snow Celebration Snow Sculpting Day 1 (1/14/26)
1st place Team Fjordwitches from #canada with their creation The Inosculation of Souls
2nd place Team Falcon of #mongolia with their creation Legend
3rd place Team #thailand with their creation Life in Frame
People’s choice Team Kawsay from #peru with their creation Tupuna / Enlace
Artist choice Team Fjordwitches from Canada
Winter Sunrise Stillwater Minnesota Video
2025 World Snow Sculpting Day 1 Drone Video
Day 1 (Wednesday January 15th) started out sunny, windy and cold and ended up cloudy and blustery however with lots of activity in the afternoon. Check out the activity including artists working on their creations up close (with invitation of one of the artist teams to fly through one of the creations) and Ice Skaters on the Ice Rink.
2025 World Snow Sculpting Day 2 Drone Video
Day 2 (Thursday January 16th) of the world snow celebration and world snow sculpture championship event #wssc saw lots of progress on the artist teams creations along with nicer weather.
Due to unsafe weather conditions, no drone aerial images were able to be captured on day 3 (Friday January 17, 2025) of the Snow Celebration event because of strong winds.
2025 World Snow Sculpting Day 4 Drone Video
2025 Stillwater Minnesota World Snow Celebration Video of Day 4 (Saturday January 18th) daytime and night time drone aerial views.
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.
In addition to scheduled community education, STEM and other classes, Pictures Over Stillwater also provides one on one, small group along with custom drone classes, education, consulting and coaching services. Our custom knowledge transfer, education and consulting services include test and certification preparation, general as well as advanced along with hands on training for those new to drones, as well as those who are experienced and want to learn more or sharpen their skills. Contact us to learn more and discuss how we can assist you or your organization.
Winter and Spring 2026 Webinars & Other Events
July 8, 2026 – Barron County WI – Men’s Shed
April 25, 2026 – Drone Day event Maplewood Library – Details Soon
April 25, 2026 9-10AM (Webinar) – Sat Morning Coffee & Wings HAPPY DRONE SAFETY DAY!! – Airspace Planning And Authorization Tools, Tips And Tricks For Drone Operators (Free Reg here).
April 8, 2026 – Eden Prairie High School – Aeronautics Class
Spring 2026 Drone Comm Ed Classes Stillwater MN
Drones 101: Ready for Takeoff Monday May 11, 2026 Pony Activity Center (PAC) Stillwater MN 6:30-9:00PM Learn more and register here.
Summer 2026 Comm Ed Classes Roseville MN
Summer 2026 Roseville Comm Ed
Drones 101 – Takeoff Monday June 22, 2026 Anpetu Teca Education Center 1910 County Rd B W Roseville, MN 55113 6:00-8:30PM Registration coming soon, learn more and early here.
Drones Aerial Photography Monday July 13, 2026 Anpetu Teca Education Center 1910 County Rd B W Roseville, MN 55113 6:00-8:30PM Registration coming soon, learn more and early here.
Spring & Summer 2026 Drone Comm Ed Minneapolis MN
Drones 1: Essentials Monday April 20, 2026 Ella Baker School Minneapolis, MN 6:00-8:30PM Learn more and register here.
Drones 2: Aerial Photography & Video Monday April 27, 2026 Ella Baker School Minneapolis, MN 6:00-8:30PM Learn more and register here.
Drones 3: Aerial Photography & Video Advanced Monday May 4, 2026 Ella Baker School Minneapolis, MN 6:00-8:30PM Learn more and register here.
Drones 4: Practice Workshop (Fly Time) Thursday July 16, 2026 Northeast Middle School : Parking Lot Minneapolis, MN 6:00-8:30PM Learn more and register here.
Check Back For Additional Spring & Summer Classes
Recent Minneapolis Winter Classes
Drones 1: Essentials Monday February 23, 2026 Ella Baker School Minneapolis, MN 6:00-8:30PM Learn more and register here.
Drones 2: Aerial Photography & Video Monday March 2, 2026 Ella Baker School Minneapolis, MN 6:00-8:30PM Learn more and register here.
Drones 3: Aerial Photography & Video Advanced Monday March 9, 2026 Ella Baker School Minneapolis, MN 6:00-8:30PM Learn more and register here.
Recent Roseville Winter Classes
Drones 101: Ready for Takeoff Monday February 2, 2026 Anpetu Teca Education Center 1910 County Rd B W Roseville, MN 55113 6:00-8:30PM Learn more and register here.
Drones 101: Ready for Takeoff Friday March 6, 2026 Anpetu Teca Education Center 1910 County Rd B W Roseville, MN 55113 6:00-8:30PM Learn more and register here.
Drone Aerial Photography Monday March 16, 2026 Anpetu Teca Education Center 1910 County Rd B W Roseville, MN 55113 6:00-8:30PM Learn more and register here.
Fall 2025 Drone Comm Ed Classes Roseville MN
Drones 101: Ready for Takeoff! Saturday November 1, 2025 Anpetu Teca Education Center 1910 County Rd B W Roseville, MN 55113 C207 – Fairview Room A 9:30AM-Noon Call Roseville Area Schools for registration (651) 604-3500
Fall 2025 Drone Comm Ed Classes Minneapolis MN
Drones 1: Essentials Monday October 6, 2025 Ella Baker School Minneapolis, MN 6:00-8:30PM Learn more and register here
Drones 2: Aerial Photography & Video Monday October 20, 2025 Ella Baker School Minneapolis, MN 6:00-8:30PM Learn more and register here
Drones 3: Aerial Photography & Video Advanced Monday November 3, 2025 Ella Baker School Minneapolis, MN 6:00-8:30PM Learn more and register here
Previous Classes
Drones 101: Ready for Takeoff! Monday September 15, 2025 Anpetu Teca Education Center 1910 County Rd B W Roseville, MN 55113 C207 – Fairview Room A 6:00-8:30PM
Stillwater Area Public Schools Adult Community Ed Drones: Aerial Photo & Video Registration Saturday June 14, 2025 9:00AM-Noon, SAPS High School/PAC
Minneapolis Public Schools Adult Community Education Drones 1: Fundamentals, Registration Tuesday June 24, 2025 6:00-8:30PM Justice Page School
Minneapolis Public Schools Adult Community Education Drones 2: Aerial Photo & Video, Registration Wednesday July 16, 2025 6:00-8:30PM Dowling School
Minneapolis Public Schools Adult Community Education Drones 1: Fundamentals, Registration Monday April 14, 2025 6:00-8:30PM Ella Baker School
Minneapolis Public Schools Adult Community Education Drones 2: Aerial Photography & Video, Registration Monday April 28, 2025 6:00-8:30PM Ella Baker School
Minneapolis Public Schools Adult Community Education Drones 3: Aerial Photo & Video Advanced, Registration Monday May 12, 2025 6:00-8:30PM Ella Baker School
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
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 Lead Rep and DronePro representive for Minneapolis region.
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
The 7th annual Opera On The River was held downtown Stillwater MN along the shores of the St Croix River July 26, 2025
2024 Opera On The River
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.
