American Faces #96 - Not mine to tell

American Faces No. 96

American Faces #96 is officially the most intimidating American Faces to date for me. I think the pressure I felt was all my own doing. I wanted to make sure I told the story well. You know, the kind of story that has grit and is shot in a really cool location. But that was my idea. Katie Berquist wanted to have her photos taken in my studio. She wanted a portrait that would reflect who she is now, not who she was in her past. To Katie, the photos should represent a clean slate.  

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So the photos you see, minus the two of her before her incredible transformation, were created in a studio with a couple of lights, a simple background and her bubbly can-do attitude. But in working through the story-telling part with Katie, I realized that I was trying to drive the narrative to what I wanted, not the story she really wanted to tell. She desired to show what victory looks like, not what past addiction looks like, and her attitude moved me profoundly. Throughout my previous 95 American Faces I have strived to tell positive stories of people and encourage others in their own life’s journey. But I realize now that the desire for “my narrative” is not likely to be what most subjects want. Like Katie, I think people really don’t want to look back at what their life was, but instead would rather look forward.  

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Years into her recovery and her Christian walk, she has a sincere love for Jesus woven through every thread of her life and it has brought her to a place where relationships have been restored. She truly cherishes her time with her sons, and has a wonderfully growing relationship with family that brings a wholeness the world cannot easily understand. Katie knows where her present joy and hope for tomorrow comes from. Katie’s bubbly and confident personality will not let you walk away from an encounter with her unchanged.

American Faces #96 has taught me a couple things about storytelling, and maybe about my own view of other people. I have learned I need to be careful of the narrative I write “for” others. I know I am called to document others’ stories, but their story is not mine to tell. 

In closing, lend an ear to someone. The story you hear may just change your life. Then go be a difference maker. The world needs you!

Photos and story by: Nielsen Studios 

Editing by: Scott Whitman

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American Faces #95 - A hope filled future

American Faces No. 95

So there’s this guy out there named Abe.  No, not Abe Lincoln, but Abe McMahan.  My son Isaac works for Abe at his businesses Harvestores and Northarvest Prep in Maple Plain and Bloomington, MN respectively. Over the past couple years I have heard good things about Abe from a few different people, so I decided now was a good time to meet him face to face. I had heard about his heart for people, his business and in mentoring.  

 When I walked  through the doors of his business I knew he was the real deal.  I met a man I quickly knew was not just someone focused on the growth of his Amazon fulfillment company; I saw a man with determination and a sparkle in his eye as he talked about the people who work for him, the opportunity to share life on a day to day basis, and the desire to be just a little better tomorrow.  He lives and breathes this in his life.  It’s not just lip-service.

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t is the writing on the whiteboard that he and others read and work at daily. It is the boots on the ground attitude as he works alongside his faithful crew. 

 It is in his daily times of reflection as Bible verses are shared and the meaning of that verse is reflected upon and what its real world application could be.  Abe isn’t the only one who shares.  He asks his employees to lead as well.  His heart is to develop others to be effective leaders; to not just accept where they’re at or where they’ve been.

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His early life was a bit rough.  His focus began to take shape when he attended West Point for a time and his True North was found when he found Christ.  His purpose began to unfold and his lifelong drive to do his best led him to a career in operations and logistics for large companies.  That career was the foundation to what would become Harvestores.  

I would be remiss if I did mention another passion in the heart of Abe McMahan:  Marked Men for Christ.  This organization helps rebuild a man to be all he is called to be, to work through the hurts, pains and hangups men struggle with, to help them find freedom and to be all they can be for their families.  Abe found out how to be a better man, husband, father and leader through Marked Men for Christ.  He’s now helping lead others through that ministry that he became a part of over a decade ago.  So what does all this have to do with the story? Maybe to just state to ourselves how complex our lives are, lives built on layers of our past that make up who we are.  The good, the bad and yes the ugly.  But we are not stuck as a product of our past.  Abe desires a hope filled future for others.  He does that by pouring into the lives of those around him.  I saw that when I visited him to do this story and I hear it in my son’s words when he speaks about Abe.  He also does that by being a very giving man with all that he has been blessed with.  Abe McMahan is a world changer and a Difference Maker.

I’m closing this by encouraging us all to live with hands open rather than clutching what we own or what owns us too tightly.  Change someone's world!  You might just change your own.

Photos and story by: Nielsen Studios 

Editing by: Cristine Nielsen

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American Faces #94 - The Champion

American Faces No. 94

I know, I know. I chose what is likely the most overused title ever: “The Champion.” But I think there is no title more fitting for Kari Lazzarino. She is a loving mother to 4 kids, a barber-trained and self-proclaimed Man-ol-o-gist, and owner of the Bearded Viking barber shop in Monticello, Minnesota. Kari is only 5 foot (plus a few inches) tall, but she’s a fierce powerhouse of a woman who had to recreate herself and her family, moving away from her home state of California for a new start, and a new life.  Kari decided to go back to using her maiden name, not by her choosing, but because of the choices her ex-husband forced her into. Kari is a woman who will never let herself or her family be hurt again. She knew she needed to write new chapters in a story of restoration and wholeness, a story of a true champion. So, what does a true champion look like? (Here’s where the story gets good)

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THIS true champion is a woman who trims beards and hair like a wizard. Well, a wizard with clippers, scissors and a comb. She shapes the beards of the customers she calls “my guys” to a near magical quality. Ok, I might be embellishing, but it’s truly amazing to watch her sculpt the hair and Viking-like beards of the guys that frequent her shop just off Main Street in Monticello. I should also note that she works her hair-sculpting magic for quite a few women as well.

You may have noticed I’m not including the backstory of Kari’s life. There’s no need for me to do that. You can hear it on this podcast (go to about the 52:00 mark). I just want to showcase a woman’s story that, like the tattoo on her forearm, speaks of her faith – both in herself, and in God. Kari knew she had to focus on taking the next breath. She knew she had to be fierce. She had to wake up and start a new day, then another day, then another. She just knew she couldn’t stop, and she refused to be a victim. Her story was filled with unimaginable difficulty, but her kids, her family and “her guys” have helped her push on. They help her smile, to take on another day, and they help her be the true Champion she was made to be. Read that again: a true Champion!

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I always close my stories by encouraging you, the reader, to do something. Well here it is: Go get a haircut, and maybe a beard trim if you need it, at the Bearded Viking. Say “hi” to Kari. If that doesn't fit into your schedule, go help a struggling mom, a dad or a grandparent. Maybe buy groceries for someone who’s just having trouble making ends meet. You WILL change their lives. You might just help them become a Champion!

Go make a difference!

Photos and story by: Nielsen Studios

Editing by: Scott Whitman

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