A new perspective

It started with a drive through Macksburg.

Michael Nixt, 31, was traveling down a street in the small town when he found himself examining the old-style architecture on the buildings. And he liked what he saw.

“They are really old, but they’re still well kept-up,” he said. “It’s almost like being transported back in time, and it’s really interesting, really scenic.”

Nixt decided he wanted to capture this kind of rural Iowa scenery the way he best knows how: through photos.

That’s how his project, currently titled “Iowa: A Picture of Living,” began. In the coming months, Nixt plans to create a photobook of rural life in southwest Iowa, with a few profiles of people he meets who live in the area. Nixt plans to visit towns like Creston, Afton, Winterset, Greenfield, Atlantic, Fontanelle, Bridgewater, Orient Macksburg, Shannon City and Arispe and see what he can find.

So far, Nixt has shot some samples and launched a Kickstarter campaign with a goal of $5,000 to cover the necessary equipment to complete the project. A portion of the proceeds, he said, will go back to these communities.

“This is a way I can use my talents to create something and also help out the communities around me,” he said.

Nixt lives in Creston with his wife, Mikayla, and 1-year-old daughter, Lily. During the day, he works at Wellman Dynamics. On the side, he DJs and runs a photography business.

Nixt grew up watching his dad do photography and has been doing it on his own for about eight years. Nixt began doing studio portraits and senior pictures a year and a half ago after receiving “hand-me-down” equipment as a birthday present from his father.

Amber Lund, of Greenfield, first met Nixt through his karaoke business. The two share a love of photography, and Lund has gone to Nixt for family portraits.

She said his photography is unique, and she has enjoyed the project samples he’s shown her so far.

“I think he can go places with it,” Lund said. “He’s really good with his editing, and I think he does really good work.”

Nixt said he is now offering discounts on senior pictures and family portraits to promote his project. He is also planning fundraising events in the surrounding towns. Nixt said he plans to complete the project about a year after he gains the funding.

To support “Iowa: A Picture of Living” through Kickstarter, visit Nixt’s website, nixtstudioscreston.weebly.com, and click “Donate Here.” Nixt is also accepting direct donations and can be contacted at nixtm71@gmail.com or 641-745-0666.