Maestro Photography

Maestro Photography Capturing stunning aerial perspectives for real estate, events, and more! Contact us for your next project!

As an FAA-licensed drone operator, we provide high-quality aerial photography to showcase properties, landscapes, and special moments from a whole new angle.

06/02/2026

SS Alpena

Built in 1942 under the original name SS Leon Fraser, the Alpena is the oldest active steamship on the Great Lakes. Originally built as an iron ore carrier, as of 1989 the Alpena has been used to primarily haul cement between ports. As part of the 1989 conversion the Alpena was shorted by 120 feet for a current length of 519 feet.

The SS Alpena is a sight to see, and is a floating museum and a testament to Great Lakes commerce throughout its lifetime of almost 90 years.

SS Alpena
Year Built: 1942
Length: 519 feet
Capacity: 14,000 long tons

Filmed in Marine City, MI on June 1, 2026

04/11/2026

Quick view of the Bitumen Tanker, the McAsphalt Advantage. Having been launched in 2024, she is one of the newer vessels on the lakes. At 459 feet in length she is also capable of running on diesel as well as natural gas.

Video taken north of Algonac, MI on April 10, 2026

04/10/2026

The 2026 shipping season is underway! Enjoy the quick video of the Kaye E. Barker as she makes her way upbound the St. Clair River on a sunlight Spring evening.

Video taken in Marine City, MI on April 9, 2026.

They're on the move once again....After the annual shutdown of the Soo Locks (roughly about 2 months for maintenance)......
04/10/2026

They're on the move once again....

After the annual shutdown of the Soo Locks (roughly about 2 months for maintenance)....the Lakers are waking back up and are on the move once again. The Soo Locks opening at 12:01am on March 25th...the first vessel to pass was the Tug/Barge combo the "Dirk S. VanEnkevort" pushing the barge "Michigan Trader".

Pictured below is the Mesabi Miner headed downbound the St. Clair River...one of the 13 "footers" that move across the Great Lakes.

Image captured on April 9, 2026 in Marine City, MI

A Frozen ParadeDuring the afternoon of Friday, January 30th we had a special treat heading up the St. Clair River. Thre...
02/01/2026

A Frozen Parade

During the afternoon of Friday, January 30th we had a special treat heading up the St. Clair River. Three particularly photogenic Algoma tankers made their way up the nearly ice covered river, led by the equally photogenic Canadian Coast Guard Ship the Vincent Massey.

Vessel Details:

CCGS Vincent Massey
Length: 275 feet
Year Built: 2000

Algocanada
Length: 426 feet
Year Built: 2008

Algoberta
Length: 470 feet
Year Built: 2007

Algoterra
Length: 473 feet
Year Built: 2010

Photographed on January 30, 2026 in Marine City, MI

Took a couple of evening panoramic shots at sunset the other day! Beautiful colors in the sky....no editing done to the...
01/16/2026

Took a couple of evening panoramic shots at sunset the other day! Beautiful colors in the sky....no editing done to these images....just natural beauty!

Had a nice visit from the John G Munson heading downbound the St. Clair River this morning on the way to Toledo. With t...
01/16/2026

Had a nice visit from the John G Munson heading downbound the St. Clair River this morning on the way to Toledo. With the Soo Locks officially closing as of yesterday (1/15/2026) for the season, I'm guessing this is the last run for the Munson for this season. It's also the first time for me to see the Munson!

The 768' Munson was comissioned in 1951 to haul bulk commodities around the Great Lakes. Since 1951 she's undergone several upgrades such as adding an additional 102' in length, adding stern and bow thrusters, and replacing the boilers with diesel as recently as 2016.

She is seen here just north of Algonac, and gave me a nice master salute on the way down (thanks, Captain!) Many would say that the Munson is the '2nd best' sounding boat on the Great Lakes...I suppose that's up to you to decide!

01/02/2026

M/V American Spirit

One of the 13 thousand footers that call the Great Lakes their home, the American Spirit is seen heading upbound the St. Clair River on an overcast December afternoon. Notice the Christmas tree affixed to the front of the unloading boom.

M/V American Spirit
Year Built: 1978
Length: 1,004 feet
Capacity: 62,400 gross tons

Filmed December 30, 2025 in Marine City, Michigan

Quick shot of the American Spirit (one of the thousand footers) as it slid through the St. Clair River for last time of ...
01/01/2026

Quick shot of the American Spirit (one of the thousand footers) as it slid through the St. Clair River for last time of 2025. Notice the Christmas Tree on the front of the boom!

Captured on 12/30/25 in Marine City, MI

12/08/2025

In late November, there was something special to see on the Great Lakes. The tugs Ocean Tower and Jarrett M passed through on their way from Manitowoc, Wisconsin enroute to the Naval Shipyard in Washington State. The journey is expected take about 3 months and will cover nearly 3,000 miles...throughout the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence Seaway, the Panama Canal and both Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The cargo is a massive 200 foot crane that is being delivered via barge.

Ocean Tower - Tug
Length: 106 feet
Horsepower: 4,080 hp
Year Built: 1978

Jarrett M - Tug
Length: 82 feet
Horsepower: 2,000 hp
Year Built: 1945

Address

Algonac, MI

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