now booking projects for 2026
now booking projects for 2026
now booking projects for 2026

learn more about me

+ the local story

Meet

Meet

Meet

Mel!

Mel!

Mel!

based in sausalito, ca

based in sausalito, ca

virgo sun ☼ aquarius moon ☾ virgo rising ⤴

virgo sun ☼ aquarius moon ☾ virgo rising ⤴

my story

Creating a business along the bay

Local Story Co. began as a passion project rooted in life along the Northern California coast. Creating by the bay taught me to slow down, pay attention, and lead with intention — values that now shape every project I take on. I’ve always been drawn to the people behind small businesses and the stories that give their work meaning.

I partner with design-forward brands to create thoughtful, elevated content that feels honest and distinctly them. Local Story Co. exists to help brands show up with clarity, confidence, and purpose — without losing their soul.

my purpose

Making short-form, aesthetic content more meaningful

I believe short-form content should do more than chase trends or fill a feed. When created with intention, it can tell a story, build connection, and reflect the heart of a brand. My goal is to help businesses create aesthetic, meaningful content that feels aligned, human, and built to last beyond a single post.

It’s about capturing beauty with intention and elevating the brands shaping how we live, design, stay, and feel.

Every project begins with listening — to the brand, the space, and the story waiting to be told. I focus on capturing moments that feel natural, elevated, and thoughtfully composed, so the final content feels effortless but intentional. The result is visual storytelling that supports how brands want to be experienced, not just seen.

"a visual love letter to northern california’s coastal lifestyle — highlighting craftsmanship, beautiful spaces, and the refined yet approachable spirit of the region."
"a visual love letter to northern california’s coastal lifestyle — highlighting craftsmanship, beautiful spaces, and the refined yet approachable spirit of the region."

my favorite spot!

(where it all began)

my story

Creating a business along the bay

Local Story Co. began as a passion project rooted in life along the Northern California coast. Creating by the bay taught me to slow down, pay attention, and lead with intention — values that now shape every project I take on. I’ve always been drawn to the people behind small businesses and the stories that give their work meaning.

I partner with design-forward brands to create thoughtful, elevated content that feels honest and distinctly them. Local Story Co. exists to help brands show up with clarity, confidence, and purpose — without losing their soul.

(where it all began)

"a visual love letter to northern california’s coastal lifestyle — highlighting craftsmanship, beautiful spaces, and the refined yet approachable spirit of the region."
my purpose

Making short-form, aesthetic content more meaningful

I believe short-form content should do more than chase trends or fill a feed. When created with intention, it can tell a story, build connection, and reflect the heart of a brand. My goal is to help businesses create aesthetic, meaningful content that feels aligned, human, and built to last beyond a single post.

It’s about capturing beauty with intention and elevating the brands shaping how we live, design, stay, and feel.

Every project begins with listening — to the brand, the space, and the story waiting to be told. I focus on capturing moments that feel natural, elevated, and thoughtfully composed, so the final content feels effortless but intentional. The result is visual storytelling that supports how brands want to be experienced, not just seen.

Meet the Founder & Creative Director

Meet the Founder & Creative Director

(Melanie Festa)

I’m Mel — founder and creative director of Local Story Co. I’ve always been drawn to beautiful spaces, thoughtful details, and the stories behind the brands we invite into our lives. For me, content creation is about more than visuals — it’s about capturing how something feels and translating that into a story others can connect with.

At the heart of my work is a love for collaboration and meaningful storytelling. I partner closely with brands I genuinely believe in, taking the time to understand their story and their goals. Together, we create content that feels elevated, honest, and deeply aligned — visuals that feel lived-in, lasting, and true.

Before launching Local Story Co., I spent years working in fast-paced environments while building creative projects in the margins of everyday life. That experience shaped the way I work today — with equal parts structure and creativity, intention and intuition. It taught me how to balance aesthetics with purpose, and vision with execution.

(Fun Facts)

(Fun Facts)

I was born and raised in North Carolina and come from a mixed background, with Filipino roots on my mom’s side. I grew up playing piano and singing (open mics in college were a favorite), minored in Spanish because it came naturally, and start most mornings perfecting my homemade iced vanilla latte.

my favorite spots in sausalito

Franko & Co. coffee shop, The Joinery for lunch by the water, The Marin Merchant (duh), and walking along the harbor

my ideal weekend

A slow sunny & calm morning sitting on the patio with Ray & Tank (my husband & pup) then grabbing brunch at Sam's in Tiburon

my guilty pleasures

The Alter Eco Truffle Thins chocolate bar with mint creme (MUST TRY)

songs I play over & over

Right now it's "Choosing Texas" by Ella Langley

my dream vacation

Anywhere with a beach with perfect weather and a luxurious villa with a private pool and sun deck

the non-negotiables (my values)

Above all, The Local Story Co. is about creating with care

Above all, The Local Story Co. is about creating with care

People-First Storytelling

001

We center real people, real businesses, and real stories. Our work is rooted in respect for the individuals behind the brand — their labor, creativity, and lived experience — not just the aesthetic result.

Integrity in Representation

002

How a brand is shown matters. We are thoughtful about how places, people, and work are portrayed, avoiding exaggeration or misrepresentation in favor of honest, aligned storytelling.

Inclusivity Through Access

003

We believe good storytelling shouldn’t be reserved for big brands with big budgets. Our tiered services are designed to support small, local, and independent businesses at different stages — without gatekeeping creativity or quality.

Community Over Clout

004

We prioritize long-term relationships and local impact over quick visibility. Our work supports small businesses, creative founders, and community-driven brands — helping them grow without losing what makes them distinct.

Sustainability in Practice

005

Sustainability isn’t just environmental — it’s operational. We value sustainable workloads, realistic content rhythms, and processes that support longevity for both our clients and ourselves.

Transparency & Trust

006

Clear communication is non-negotiable. From pricing to deliverables to timelines, we aim to be upfront, honest, and easy to work with — because trust is the foundation of any creative partnership.

Respect for Place & Culture

007

We are mindful of the places and communities we work within. Local context, regional identity, and cultural nuance are considered in how stories are captured and shared — never treated as interchangeable backdrops.

Growth Without Exploitation

008

We believe brands can grow without burnout, manipulation, or pressure tactics. Our approach favors clarity, consistency, and ethical visibility over trends that demand constant urgency or overexposure.

Meet the Founder & Creative Director

(Melanie Festa)

I’m Mel — founder and creative director of Local Story Co. I’ve always been drawn to beautiful spaces, thoughtful details, and the stories behind the brands we invite into our lives. For me, content creation is about more than visuals — it’s about capturing how something feels and translating that into a story others can connect with.

At the heart of my work is a love for collaboration and meaningful storytelling. I partner closely with brands I genuinely believe in, taking the time to understand their story and their goals. Together, we create content that feels elevated, honest, and deeply aligned — visuals that feel lived-in, lasting, and true.

Before launching Local Story Co., I spent years working in fast-paced environments while building creative projects in the margins of everyday life. That experience shaped the way I work today — with equal parts structure and creativity, intention and intuition. It taught me how to balance aesthetics with purpose, and vision with execution.

Let's Work Together

(step 1: reach out)

(step 1: reach out)

Whether you’re ready to book a discovery call, explore the full services guide, or send over a project inquiry — this is the place to start.


I work with design-forward brands who value intentional storytelling and elevated visuals, and every project begins with clarity and collaboration.
Choose the path that feels right for you, and let’s create content that works as beautifully as it looks.

Let's Work Together

(step 1: reach out)

Whether you’re ready to book a discovery call, explore the full services guide, or send over a project inquiry — this is the place to start.


I work with design-forward brands who value intentional storytelling and elevated visuals, and every project begins with clarity and collaboration.
Choose the path that feels right for you, and let’s create content that works as beautifully as it looks.

Get the Services Guide

This guide is designed to give you a transparent look at how I support brands through thoughtful content creation — from monthly video retainers to campaign launches & one-off events — so you can decide if we’re the right fit.

storytelling

with intention

Get the Services Guide

This guide is designed to give you a transparent look at how I support brands through thoughtful content creation — from monthly video retainers to campaign launches & one-off events — so you can decide if we’re the right fit.

storytelling

with intention

Get the Services Guide

This guide is designed to give you a transparent look at how I support brands through thoughtful content creation — from monthly video retainers to campaign launches & one-off events — so you can decide if we’re the right fit.

storytelling

with intention

Copyright — the local story co (2026)

Copyright — the local story co (2026)

Copyright — the local story co (2026)

Copyright — the local story co (2026)