Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawn Nielsen.
Hi Shawn, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Nielsen Studios is all about creating powerful images that tell a story. But the description really can’t stop there.
Yes, commercial photography is where it begins. I’ve honed my craft over 20+ years in the business. Photography is my passion and my true creative outlet (I’m pretty sure my killer stickmen drawing skills wouldn’t get me very far).
But at a deeper level, Nielsen Studios is about ideas, and collaborating with you to find imaginative and compelling ways to tell your unique brand story (I think the fancy marketing term for that is “ideation”). Simply put, I know what it takes to create marketing-ready, conceptually powerful images that sell a message. This flows out of my passion for creative collaboration – I’m energized by the process of solving interesting marketing challenges with my clients. This process often takes me outside the traditional box of “photographer,” and beyond the typical “just tell me what to shoot” image creation relationship with my clients. Working as part of your team, I bring greater value to the process and more than just photographs. That means your ideas find greater creative expression, and your brand story really sings.
On a personal level, I’m just a regular down-to-earth, easygoing, dry-humored, creative guy working hard to carve out my own place in a fun and challenging marketing world. Outside my studio door, I like music, road biking, archery, and playing with my kids. I enjoy getting together to visit with clients and friends over coffee, or a good grilled burger.
I’ve probably said too much already. After all, I’m a visual guy.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been a road of working for many people in the early years that helped create my style. Pair that with my desire to keep an eye on where things are at. The buzzword for that is Relevant.
I try to stay relevant. The years have brought many ups and down in terms of income. But I’ve learned that to stay the course it’s about a long-range vision. Maybe not a goal Per Se. I want to keep creating polished content that moves people. There are stories all around us and they need to be told.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a commercial photographer. I specialize in creating content for businesses of all sizes. I’ve created photography and video for clients such as banks, medical device companies, law firms, hospitals, archery companies, hospitals/healthcare organizations, product-based companies, and the food industry. I am most proud of creating images of people that move other people to do things/try things. I am really proud of my American Faces Series: https://www.nielsen-studios.com/blog
I am proud of that not because of my ability, but the fact that I get to meet people and be a part of telling the better side of humanity.
I believe what sets me apart from others is my desire to tell the human story. Not the bad side of it, but what makes humans great. There is so much negativity in the world that there is no need to showcase that. The other amazing thing to me is that the products that I photograph all have a human element to them. Someone who created them polished them, or designed the technology that drives them or saves a life. I am probably circling around on a common thread here that humanity really matters to me.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I think the key part for me as it relates to finding a mentor or to networking is the simple fact that relationships matter, and people matter. Pay it forward and behind. Your business world is built on many relationships, not just your future ones that don’t know you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nielsen-studios.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nielsen.studios.inc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NielsenStudiosInc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsenstudios1/
Image Credits
Nielsen Studios
