The creative engine of AgriLife Studios, co-founder Shawn Nielsen is a 25+ year veteran photographer and life-long fan of farming (and farmers!) who combines a passion for his craft – artistically and technically – with a fearless and relentless drive to capture the unique nature of his subjects where they live and work. Shawn shoots for numerous commercial clients out of his Red Barn Studio in Rogers, Minnesota, and also thrives on location capturing compelling images of farmers and ranchers, ag producers and processors and all kinds of rural life-stylers in their native habitat. 

See Shawn's LinedIn Bio/Resume.

AgriLife Studios co-founder and Producer, Scott Whitman, grew up immersed in production agriculture. Raised on a beef cattle operation in Wyoming, Scott has an extensive education (University of Wyoming - Ag Communications; Purdue University - MS, Ag Systems Management) and 25+ years experience in professional agricultural communications, extension education and marketing, and in those roles employing visual media and the written word to create stories that educate, inform, motivate and inspire. As a writer, photographer, producer and story facilitator, Scott helps AgriLife Studios’ clients plan and produce compelling content to tell their unique brand stories with authenticity, technical accuracy, relevance and purpose.

See Scott's LinkedIn Bio/Resume.

Scott Regan, a world-travelling commercial and documentary cinematographer based in Northfield, Minnesota, joined the AgriLife Studios team in 2016 serving as cinematographer, director and editor on a number of client productions and AgriLife promotional videos. Scott is a location production daredevil and professed technical video geek, who’s been skydiving and ice skating with his subjects, ridden atop grain trucks and tractors with his rigged cinema camera, and piloted drones in pursuit of combines, cows and the epic aerial landscape. Since 2008, Scott has been shooting commercials, series, and branded content for a range of agencies, production companies, and corporate clients all over the world. Scott’s work with AgriLfie Studios has included multiple productions for ADM, Minnesota Corn Growers, Wyffels Hybrids, Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance and Iowa Premium Beef. His non-ag standout clients include: Best Buy, Target, 3M, Arby’s, Red Bull, United Health Group, Boston Scientific, Procter & Gamble, and Buffalo Wild Wings, among others.

AgriLife Studios designated editing mastermind, Trent Hilborn, is a true wizard in the art of weaving a story. His storytelling prowess has earned Trent an Emmy^® award as a freelance director. Trent says his creative work reflects, "a passion to explore, influence, spark and uncover." Trent has directed for notable brands such as Otterbox, YMCA, 3M, Target, American Express and more. He has also directed and produced a variety of independent short films, including the award-winning short: A Friendly Encounter. Trent’s editing credits with AgriLife Studios include numerous productions for ADM, National Corn Growers, Wyffels Hybrids and Iowa Premium Beef, among others, including a pilot for The WaterMain (American Public Media). Trent resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota.