Mick Pedaja’s name is primarily associated with music, but in recent years his work has also been strongly intertwined with photography and videography. As he says, you can’t do without music, but the drone has given him a new way of seeing the world.
Journey from Kehtna to Pärnu
Mick comes from the small village of Kehtna in Rapla County. It was there that he spent his childhood years – once in the prefab houses, once in the guest house in the manor park where his parents worked. Later, the family moved to the house his father built, where his parents and sister still live. Mick also spent a lot of time in Rapla with his grandmother, and his grammar school education took him to Rapla, before further studies and work in Tallinn. Today, life has brought him and his family to Pärnu. It is here, near the sea and the marshes, that he has found much of his inspiration.
“My main passion is music, I can’t do without it. But recently photography and videography have come alongside me – and the drone has found its place in that journey,” said Mick.
How did you become interested in drones?
The first boost came from social media – the first enchanting images of nature were vividly remembered. Collaboration with cinematographer Madis Reimund on the music video “White” was a major inspiration. At the end of the video, there is a single drone shot of Mick standing in the middle of the lake with the camera moving up from below. “It got me thinking – a drone can capture views you can’t see otherwise,” he recalls.
🎥 Watch the video: https://youtu.be/GzB_7WzwgiE?si=aL51nszU-s-Ox6WD
First drone – an unexpected gift
Mick’s first drone, and the one that still serves him faithfully, is the DJI Mavic 2 Pro. And the story of its acquisition is a special one. “One day my husband’s uncle – photographer Kaupo Kalda – came to our door and gave us a drone. There aren’t many uncles like that in the world – I’m very grateful.”
Kaupo also taught the first tricks, safety rules and flying skills. These are still vivid in Micku’s mind and give him confidence on every take-off and landing.
Photo or video?
Mick admits that he often has to switch quickly between shooting and filming. “I try to capture the same shot in both still and video. It’s annoying, but it adds a dimension,” he says. The drone, in particular, offers him a view he doesn’t normally see – clouds glowing above the treetops or a sunset. “That’s the feeling of freedom.”
The most memorable flight
What Micku remembers most vividly is a foggy morning in Soomaa. “The fog with the sun’s rays is my favourite natural phenomenon. These moorland mornings are enchanting.”
Favourite places to fly
Pärnumaa is Micku’s home playground. Forests, marshes, coast – every season has something special. “In winter I like to photograph ice. There are patterns and layers in the ice that you can only see with a drone.”
Lesson from a difficult situation
Like many drone pilots, Mick has had his share of difficult moments. “One time I didn’t take into account the strong onshore winds over the sea. On the way back, the headwind drained the battery unexpectedly. I barely made it to shore and landed next to the car – my hands were shaking with adrenaline.”
This experience taught him to be more alert. Interestingly, one of his first exhibition works , “Mother and Son “, was born on the same flight – an ice painting in which the larger and smaller pieces were first reminiscent of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, and later of mother and child.
Which drone is Mick currently using?
He is still using the DJI Mavic 2 Pro, but he admits that the technology has come a long way since then. “I’ve tried the Mavic 3 and 4 – their image quality, video and battery life are next level. I’ve made a deal with myself that I won’t buy a new one until my current one goes down – but I’m sure an upgrade will come soon.”
Mick Pedaja’s recommendations for the beginner drone pilot
- Keep an eye on your surroundings before you fly – make sure there are no children, animals or people around.
- Get to know your drone – how long the battery lasts and how far you can fly.
- Enjoy the view and fly safely – don’t endanger others.
Photos by Mick Pedaja