Nielsen Studios Inc. - Minnesota

07/14/2026

Adulting isn't always easy. From long work days and dentist appointments to kids' sports, vehicle repairs, moving, and vacations, managing the many layers of daily life just to make ends meet can quickly become overwhelming.

But what if we took a brief moment to pause? Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and remember your three-year-old self. Imagine looking at life once again through innocent, wonder-filled eyes, completely unfettered by adult burdens. Think back to running through a sprinkler on a hot summer day with watermelon juice dripping down your chin, a grape-flavored Icee melting in your grasp, or simply holding someone's hand with no strings attached.

There is still a child deep inside each of us. Let them out for a little while—I bet it will feel good. Smile, laugh, and maybe even flap your arms like a butterfly, because the world truly needs some childlike joy right now!


You’re it—now go do it!

06/25/2026

Paddling a kayak or canoe is one of my favorite things to do. Telling stories is a close second;-)!

American Faces No. 114: Paddlers are welcome here.

I think all of us can muster up a grand story of adventure that involves a canoe or some watercraft. Maybe one we formed while swirling our hand in the water, or having some faded orange “life” jacket pushing into our neck as we sat slumped in a 12 ft Alumacraft boat in our younger years. Well that was me for sure. I guess my memories are what fueled my curiosity to connect with Clear Waters Outfitting in Clearwater ,MN. More specifically; Sandra Meer, who now continues the legacy of the shop after her husband, Dan passed away in April of 2025. Sandra is not a tall person by any means but her warmth, love for paddlesports and a relentless care for the customer are evident from the moment you walk in the store. Clear Waters Outfitting is the only paddle sport specialty shop and outfitter on the banks of the Mississippi River in Central Minnesota and it is wonderfully filled with well fitting life jackets, canoes, kayaks, SUP boards, accessories and smiles that make you feel welcome.

You can tell wisdom has been hard earned when you talk to Sandra, who with her husband established Clear Waters Outfitting in 2009 and officially started selling boats and offering river trips in 2010. There have been many people who have been a part of the Clear Waters’ story through the years, both family and friends alike. Growth has been well thought out, from helping anglers discover kayak fishing on a “Wild and Scenic” stretch of the Mississippi to integrating a repair shop in 2018 when NorthWest Canoe was added to the mix. While Sandra and her team may not be a box store with price cutting discounts, they are a warm, knowledgeable, customer service driven place that loves to hear your story and likely share one of their own.

So here’s my thoughts in a nutshell. Let Amazon be Amazon. Shop small with someone like Sandra of Clear Waters Outfitting. You literally help their business thrive. You might just meet a new friend to help you with your adventurous life story.

Photos and story by: Nielsen Studios

02/05/2026

Love telling stories. Especially about local American Farmers like Larry

This might well be the quintessential American Faces story so far. Not because of Larry K.’s face but due to the fact that he is an American Farmer who has continued to farm on the very land his family has been farming since the 1950’s. For many years he was a dairy farmer in the St. Michael, Minnesota area. Larry, his brother and their families raised Jersey dairy cows for milk production along with growing corn, soybeans and hay. In the not too distant past the farm transitioned to crops and raising Angus/Holstein steers that may someday find their way to markets near you. He continues to farm a couple hundred acres of ground slowly being enveloped by housing developments all around. Year in, year out his tractors continue to work the very ground on which he was raised.

The stresses of farming have always ebbed and flowed but in my ten plus years of knowing Larry I have always encountered a man who had a warm smile, a kind word for the day and a dry joke or seven to lighten the mood. I have had the privilege of Larry’s kind and cheerful nature as we loaded trailers full of hay for the goats my wife and I keep. Even when I haven’t seen him for a while and we greet each other with a handshake, it feels like he’s a friend I have known forever. I think that is the true measure of a good man.

When I asked Larry why farming means so much to him he said, “It’s what I have always done and I enjoy it”.

So as 2026 begins to move ahead, take a deep breath and remember life stresses will ebb and flow. First, enjoy your family. Second, smile…you and the others need it. Third, make a difference in the world around you. It definitely needs you.

Photos and story by: Nielsen Studios
Editing by: Cristine Nielsen

01/08/2026

It was such an honor to do this story of Danielle Igbanugo who founded https://www.facebook.com/CoatedInLove

American Faces #112

01/08/2026

American Faces No. 111: To Bee or not to Bee
Ok that is definitely my most cheesy title. I am a bit sorry for that ...but I am not above a good “Dad Joke”. This story is about a man named John W. who raises bees near his townhome in Monticello, MN. John has a fair amount of silver and an amazing amount of passion when it comes to raising bees. He knows what the color of honey is all about. He knows all about the transformations bees make when the hives are filled with the buzzing bodies of these winged marvels and he understands the role of the queen.
Maybe even more amazing than his wisdom is John’s desire to share the sweet outcome of his diligent care for his bees. Honey! Sharing love in a little jar brings great joy to John. He has shared small jars to the far north with the people of Nett Lake Reservation as well as neighbors in North Minneapolis who receive resources at Beacon of Hope where Good in the ‘Hood does a foodshelf and footcare. John’s heart is a wonderfully giving one. He uses the honey and the bees to talk about Creation, his Christian walk and journey through life thus far. John’s life just like most of us has not been a straight linear path. He has had jobs in various fields, lived in different places and battled cancer. He remains a man with an engaging smile, calm demeanor (maybe the bees taught him to be calm;-) ) and stories of life that will keep you interested for hours.
I know I have not shared much about the inner workings of the hive, the flight patterns of worker bees or the palatable taste differences of seasonal honey. There is much to read at the University of Minnesota Bee Lab or Wikipedia. I know I have missed something that you might want to know to soothe your inner detective. Needless to say my attention was all over the place as I photographed John and his friendly bees. I stood in wonder at the bees; they are essential and make our world beautiful by pollinating flowers, trees and crops. But maybe even more impressive, they are a great example of what working together can do. They create something that positively impacts the world.
John shared something he heard at a retreat with his daughter years ago: “God’s grace and honey are both gifts from heaven. Can’t be earned, undeserved and free! And sticky! And sweet as well, honey”.
So here’s how I am ending this one. Talk to someone about something that you know nothing about. I mean really push yourself out of your comfort zone. You might just meet a “bee guy” and then get to see a bee hive and stand in awe and wonder at our world; especially tiny, flying ones that provide tasty honey that makes life sweeter. Don’t forget to share your story with the other person though. Other people need to hear that. Humanity needs one another!!!
Photos and story by: Nielsen Studios
Editing by: Cristine Nielsen