Photography

Conversations with Sports Fans – Paul Schlossman

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A pair of Paul Schlossman’s works. At left is “The Kid” a shot of Ken Griffey Jr. At right, is “Blue Air” a shot of Michael Jordan.

I’m a firm believer that things happen for a reason.

During Events No. 31 and No. 32 of the Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project, that took me to the upper midwest and the city of Fargo, ND, I had a few hours to kill on Monday before my flight home.

To while away a few hours, I chose to visit the West Acres Mall (rocking, by the way!) and the Roger Maris Museum display included within. I noticed a trading card shop listed as a tenant downstairs (JWW Sports Cards & Gaming), so I wandered down to check it out.

Near the entrance was a display dedicated to a local photo artist, Paul Schlossman.

I was fascinated!

Paul takes his old Starting Lineup and McFarlane sports figurines outside to create some iconic imagery of these figurines that required double-takes to ensure I wasn’t actually looking at Michael Jordan or Ken Griffey Jr. or Serena Williams.

I found Paul’s website and submitted a contact request.

We eventually connected and the resulting Conversation is here for your listening enjoyment this week.

My Conversation with Paul Schlossman.

Conversations with Sports Fans – Tyler Leipprandt

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Michigan Stadium: MSU Game 2022
Spartan Stadium: Michigan game 2023

A pair of examples of Tyler Leipprandt’s work at Michigan Sky Media. At left is what he’s entitled “The Money Shot” because of capturing the U.S. Coast Guard helicopter that did the flyover in the middle of the Block M. At right is what he’s entitled “Rival Game” and was captured before the 2023 UM-MSU game at Spartan Stadium. (Photos by Tyler Leipprandt/Michigan Sky Media)

Our guest in this episode is Tyler Leipprandt, the creative force behind Michigan Sky Media, a company he founded sort of by happenstance.

While his primary medium is visual, Tyler does a fabulous job telling the story of how he turned a modest hobby into Michigan Sky Media and recently published an accalimed coffee table book, MIconic: Stunning Photos and Stories from Iconic Michigan Landmarks, and will be featured at Art Prize in Grand Rapids (September 18-October 4).

Among his highlights have been capturing some magnificent images of the Mackinac Bridge, Michigan’s Pictured Rocks, Turnip Rock, and, of course, many of the stadium flyovers he’s photographed. He shares how his dream of shooting the B2 Stealth Bomber’s flyover (from above, of course) prior to the 2024 Michigan-Alabama Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena, CA, nearly came undone just hours before lift off.

Tyler has also generously offered Conversation with Sports Fans’ listeners 15% off purchases in his online store by using the code: michiganskymedia when prompted at checkout.