Nielsen Studios Inc. - Minnesota

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

05/20/2025

My final Kite maker story for my American Faces series.

American Faces #108 - Go fly a kite - No.2

What do sailing, adventuring, quilting and sewing have in common? The answer is kites! Not just any kites, but kites designed, sewn and flown by Barb M. of Maple Grove, Minnesota. Barb is the second Go fly a kite subject in my American Faces series. She is an adventurous person with an inclination for travel. A love for sailing with her husband was a part of that adventurous attitude for Barb. From sailing, her love for adventure and creative outlets drew her to flying kites and to making kites as well as creating patterns for kite companies to use her intricate designs. During our time together I was able to see how her quilting and sewing background gave form to her airworthy creations through mathematical precision and an artistic eye. She has traveled the world flying kites, meeting other makers and making friends who have the same heart for all things kites.

Her kites are not just eye-catching. They fly with ease and brought an uncanny peace as I watched them dance gracefully, tail and all, through the air, high above the ground. While her kites might not have a Disney character on them they still bring out a child-like enjoyment for those watching from ground level. Bright colors, intricate designs and mid-air tricks entertain those planted to the earth.

Adult concerns can sometimes hold us to the ground, so-to-speak. So maybe if we would just go fly a kite we could lose those concerns for a while by watching a beautiful kite made by a maker like Barb. Or maybe even buy yourself a Spiderman or ladybug kite and try to fly it. I am confident it will make you squint as you gaze into the sky and smile as you pilot your own kite and maybe even bring a smile to another onlooker. Have some fun, go by a kite and maybe even take another person. Barb would say, “Pick a kite you truly love. If it means something to you you’re more likely to invest the time into it.”

So with that, “Go Fly a Kite” as my mom would say to me. It will make you smile, maybe even laugh. Oh and it will be good for you and others!

04/03/2025

Go Fly a kite - No.1

01/30/2025

Love to tell the stories about people making a difference.

Here is the meaning of compassion: To see the suffering of others and to choose to walk

alongside them.

I think woven into the very DNA of Rob Bergfalk is a gene for compassion. Ok maybe there isn’t a gene but I do think there is a deep soul-level drive that moves Rob to make a difference in the community he has been called to. That community is Anoka, MN where he first started Compassion Church in 2021. From that 2021 church launch, a small church has grown into a group of people who are making a tangible difference in their community. You can find them serving at Stepping Stone, Hope 4 Youth or with people in the community who are experiencing homelessness. Then, in 2024 Rob and Compassion Church opened Compassion Coffee; open daily Monday - Saturday serving amazing coffee along with pastries from its next door neighbor Krown Bakery. The vision for Compassion Coffee is to empower people affected by homelessness. They hope to provide employment, skill training and resources for those who are struggling. Rob isn’t just a guy that talks the good talk; he is a man who lives out the true meaning of compassion. He talks with kindness and dignity to his employees and patrons alike. He also shared a story of how the compassion mindset of the coffee shop was able to bring rest and warmth for those struggling in the community. It was very stirring for me to hear his heart for people.

As our time was ending, I asked him the question, “Why do people need compassion?” He shared, “Everyone struggles in some way, shape or form. Everyone needs someone to care, to see them, to remind them that they are loved.” It is through caring that true change is possible in people's lives.

My hope is that those who read this help reflect the definition of compassion in some way in 2025. The world will definitely be a better place because of our actions!

Compassion Coffee

12/19/2024

https://youtu.be/WvofxLvtd6A?si=Hj_0mirAGdaQARss

As I get ready to flip the proverbial calendar page to 2025, I wanted to share one of the most profound projects that I was a part of in 2024. This project is a story series called, “Will You See Me?” The series captures images of those experiencing homelessness in the Minneapolis and Saint Paul areas of Minnesota. This deeply moving project was an incredible opportunity for me to help tell the stories of 35+ people. I spent time alongside Reverend Shawn Morrison from Good in the 'Hood and Beth Korth who helped us with recordings and logistics during interviews. All images were captured on the streets where men, women and children dwell as they were experiencing homelessness.

Our main goal was to hear people’s stories and to photograph them holding their signs that often have a handful of words written with a fat-tip marker. Those words are often asking for help as well as a Thank you.

On the first photoshoot, I quickly realized that so many of these people have trauma written into their life stories. This trauma is the root cause for what has brought many to a place of homelessness. Struggling with the scars left by the trauma and the just plain difficult day-to-day circumstances are an everyday reality for these precious souls. During subsequent photoshoots, trauma and the resulting life-long struggles are a common thread for those dear people. I am challenged to remember that as I learn to love the hurting in a deeper way.

As we began to finish up the “Will You See Me?” series in the late summer, we had an opportunity to be interviewed by Alexis Rogers of KARE 11 near downtown Minneapolis and share the reason we did the series in the first place as well as to highlight what Good in the 'Hood does for people in difficult circumstances. The he link to that video by Alexis Rogers is in the comments.

When I think back to the impact this series has had on me, I think the name we came up with is what challenges me. The series title is “Will You See Me?”. That question is a call to action. It is a choice. It’s not “Can You See Me?”. That title implies ability. We all have the ability to see folks who are struggling. We have to choose to see them. In all honesty, I found myself, before this project was underway, not wanting to make eye contact with people who hold the signs. Maybe for me I had some guilt for not being able to help them, maybe it was doubt whether they actually needed it, or maybe it was not knowing if just a smile and a wave from me was OK. But what I learned was that so many of the wonderful souls just want to be smiled at, to be waved at; to be seen. A simple gesture like that can brighten their day and quite honestly brighten yours.

So, as I move into 2025 I hope that the impact these images I helped create will open up doors for people to change the world in different ways. I’m forever grateful to have been a part of this project. The video is a compilation of some of our subjects put to a deeply touching song. I would love to hear from you with regards to how these images have impacted you.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to each of you!

P.S. We will be creating a book in 2025 with stories crafted from the interviews. I will share other updates that relate to the Will You See Me project as they come up.

An invitation to meet the brokenhearted where they are. The brokenhearted are everywhere around us. The photos in this video reflect the precious souls we ...

12/12/2024

Love telling stories about makers!

American Faces #105 - 180 degrees

I realized many of my American Faces subjects have been Makers of one sort or another. I guess maybe I am drawn to tell the stories of those who carefully craft from a sketched-out drawing on a piece of paper or a napkin with dreams drawn over a coffee ring. It is the vision for what can be and moving that vision to reality. I suppose, in many ways, the images I create are much like that as well.

Justin Rosckes is one of those talented Makers and is subject #105 of American Faces. Justin runs Midwest Woodcraft which is headquartered in a shop at his home in Corcoran, MN. His website (https://www.midwestwoodcraft.com) displays much of his talent and skill, so be sure to check it out. What really blew me away is his talent for creating functional pieces of art from wood. He has honed his skills in old-world techniques to hold pieces together, like the t.v. trays that are crafted using only wood rather than screws or modern fasteners. He has the talent of a master woodworker.

But that is not the beginning of the story. Justin began his adult career in the automotive industry where he was a technician and securely set in the industry. Yet, as he and his wife contemplated what family life meant to them and what the future looked like they knew a change for Justin was a part of that plan. A 180 degree pivot from modern technology in the auto industry to old-world craftsmanship was just what they needed. Justin is a man who loves his family and his fellow man. I heard it as I spoke with him. At times I felt like I was being interviewed, but maybe that is what this American Faces series is all about; just conversations with new friends.

So what’s the takeaway for this one? Sometimes a pivot or change unlocks who you are meant to be. For Justin that meant becoming an exceptional woodworker and a guy who mills his own wood from once standing trees. For you that might mean being adventurous and climbing a mountain. For me, it might mean being ready for whatever the future has in store. Be open to change, it might just help create the best version of you yet.

https://www.midwestwoodcraft.com

10/11/2024

Chris is an amazing difference maker!

American Faces #104 - City Focused Compassion

In a world that seems a bit bruised, beaten down and in need of a whole lot of compassion I would like to introduce Chris Bellanger who is a “City Focused Compassion” kind of guy. That compassion comes from a childhood and a lifetime of struggle. Chris’s first 27 years were riddled with difficulty. Drugs, nightlife, overdoses and just flat out hard stuff were a part of the tapestry that he called his family. His life in those formative years had him tracking to at best end up addicted or at worst, dead. Instead, he found hope. As he put it, “I found Jesus.” The “righteous path" started for him when he was 27. Chris’s backstory is what drives him every day. His compassion for the city of his childhood is in his DNA. He remembers his family being on the streets. He remembers the agony of loss and now he is always searching for the next person he can help; the next person who needs a kid word. This heavily bearded, street-wise pastor from the Southside of Minneapolis has serious "street cred" as he lives, breathes and cares for his city.

I went along with Chris and a crew of like-hearted people to South Minneapolis where I watched Chris and his team provide compassion focused meals that they had packed, hygiene packs, and sleeping mats to the people who were experiencing homelessness and those in tent cities. There wasn’t judgment by Chris and his team, just sharing the love of Christ to the brokenhearted and homeless souls of Minneapolis. Prayer was offered by the team to those that wanted it. Most importantly, all humanity was cared for by the team just by being present. They were just true “Difference Makers”.

Check out Chris and where he pastors at Free Grace United Downtown Minneapolis. Oh and if you are really bold, meet him and maybe tag along. I am pretty sure you will just get pulled into the tide of City Focused Compassion that Chris leads. I did!

Be bold and go make a difference.

09/17/2024

Recent story of John Schuler of Schuler Shoes.

American Faces No. 103

John Schuler, American Faces subject No.103, is a man of deep experience, who could be described in many ways. For this story, on this day, I want to introduce you to John, the Difference Maker. But in case you were wondering, yes, he is also THAT John Schuler, the third-generation shoe company owner who was instrumental in growing Schuler Shoes to the well known and respected company it is today, with 10 stores in Minnesota. Today, under the equally strong leadership of John’s sons and daughter, Schuler Shoes continues to grow and is expected to flourish well into the future. But this story is not about a shoe company. It's about John, who in his distant past (1970s) was once a decade-long drug addict, wandering far from a “straight and narrow” path. But this story is not about John’s past. It’s about right now, and it’s about the future. But to understand John’s future, it helps to know just a little about where he’s been.

It’s often said that behind every good man is a great woman. John’s wife Nancy certainly is great. She loved him through his tumultuous meth-infused days. And she believed in the man he would become. Encouraged by her support and faith, John knew he needed to change his life. John came to understand that true change, and victory over drugs, could only be possible through a relationship with Jesus as his Savior.

I know some of you may stop reading right there… well don’t. There’s much more to the story...

Here’s where the “difference maker” part kicks in. John has made local service his personal “mission field.” He believes there is so much to do, so much need, right here in our own neighborhoods. John has been a crucial impact partner with Shawn Morrison with the organization, Good in the ‘Hood (American Faces No.85), doing shoe drives, originally through Schuler Shoes. The shoe drives have rapidly expanded as Good in the ‘Hood has grown its various outreaches. Last year alone 196 Shoe Events provided 18,379 pairs of shoes to people in need. Through a related Good in the ‘Hood ministry/outreach program, a total of 2,179 people received much needed help through free foot clinics. John Schuler helped put many shoes on Minnesotans as a retailer, but through his service to the community, John’s heart for helping people continues to shine on.

John’s local impact goes far beyond shoes. His heart for people is evident in so many ways. For him, not just about doing good. He wants to see people’s lives changed. He wants people to find Jesus because of how he is living. But John isn’t the street corner preacher type. He seems more the kind of guy who will sit with you and listen, and share life for a while. From what I can see, John is a man doing his best to live out what Jesus taught – to "Love your neighbor as yourself."

John has recently endured so much. Now in his late 70’s, John is recovering from throat cancer and is missing half his tongue. He’s had a stroke, and another health hiccup or two along the way. While his speech may at times take some patience to understand, his heart for people speaks loud and clear. And through it all, John finds strength in his faith. This is a man who lives by a verse of Scripture imprinted on the bracelet he wears. It says:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)

When we talked, I saw John as a man who loves his Lord, his wife and his family. And through his generous service to his community, I see that he also loves his fellow man as himself. He truly is a “Difference Maker.”

As you read this I hope you might also be spurred on to impact the world around you. Be a “difference maker” – love and serve your neighbors, whoever they may be.

Photos and story by: Nielsen Studios
Editing by: Scott Whitman

09/05/2024

iToad 2024 is perhaps the most robust version of the iToad operating system yet. This version has a chassis of over 2 ½” and comes in a stunning organic colored finish. It is incapable of causing warts to appear on skin even after repeated contact. It is, however, capable of eating nearly 10,000 bugs in a year without coughing and sputtering like common, everyday humans. Oh, it also has snails, slugs, gypsy moth caterpillars, beetles and earwigs on the menu as well. This iToad was found near my studio on a cool evening while it was patrolling the area for pesky mosquitoes and gnats. iToad’s work remains mostly unnoticed as he lives a reclusive life but rest assured iToad 2024 is doing its work from late spring to early fall. Many people may actually have their own iToad in proximity to their home. So just wave at it, say a big thank you to your bug eating friend and look forward to next year when iToad 2025 will appear in the woods and buggy places near you.


Stay young at heart, laugh with friends and family or maybe say hello to someone who needs your smile to brighten their day. You can be a Difference Maker!!!


*Please note that no American Toads were harmed in the creation of this image. This iToad was just chillin’ if you catch my drift;-)!

08/28/2024

Love telling stories about our vets!

American Faces #102 - Veteran, physician and friend.

There’s a sense of peacefulness that permeates the green acres of the Magnus Veterans Foundation property in Dayton, MN – flowers buzzing with bees, a serene lake in the distance. A stroll through the grounds brings a palpable sense of calm that words cannot fully describe. This spacious and pastoral property once belonged to Shawn Alderman’s aunt and uncle (the guy who created Sesame Street Live) and was gifted to support the cause of providing healing and hope to military service veterans.

There’s a similar sense of calmness when you talk to Shawn Alderman, the lead physician and Founder of Magnus Veterans Foundation, my 102nd American Faces subject. Shawn’s calmness was battle-tested in his service alongside America's most trained Army Special Forces unit. The calmness Shawn shares with others reflects the calmness shared with him through the devoted love of his wife and son.

Shawn is a U.S. Army Special Forces Lt. Col. (retired) and Family Physician, Group Surgeon for 5th Special Forces Group. In his 31 years of service Shawn saw countless illnesses, countless traumatic injuries, even death, and through that experience came to realize – both for himself and for other soldiers – what PTSD can do to a person. Spending time with Shawn, his great empathy for people was clear, as I’d see an occasional tear forming in his eyes as we talked. He strives to heal with words as well as his hands. While providing care to meet our vets’ medical needs he’s also listening. Working through trauma at an emotional level is complex, and there is not necessarily a linear path to recovery. For a fellow soldier, Shawn’s encouragement to “make it just one more day” may just be “just what the doctor ordered.”

As I’m writing this edition of America Faces I want to keep talking about Shawn Alderman’s service and impact in the lives of others. But my mind is also flooded with the realization that soldiers are literally being saved. Families are being restored as men and women fight through recovery from PTSD and their medical challenges. Lives are being impacted by someone committed to being there for them in their darkest hours. That’s truly profound to me. The listening, the human touch, a hug from a fellow retired soldier. It’s happening at Magnus.

So what’s my call to action for this one? Keep your eyes open for a person who served our country that may be hurting. Maybe strike up a conversation with the guy wearing the Vietnam Vet hat in the small-town diner. Whether it’s a personal connection, or perhaps supporting organizations like Magnus, you have the power to change someone's life.

Thank you, Shawn Alderman, for your service to our country and your heart for healing the “whole soldier.” You said “yes” to the call to provide medical care for the actively serving soldier. And now, through your continuing care, you have an opportunity to see our veterans heal and flourish. That is priceless!