Every story is meant to be seen, told, and felt – even yours.

Story & Image Studio is the creative heart of Nalani Hernandez-Melo, a Los Angeles-based photographer, director, and curator.

Specializing in content creation, curation, and creative project consulting from ideation to execution, the studio supports independent artists, brands, and creative businesses. Nalani believes bold visual direction and storytelling across social, digital, and print platforms ignite conversations and foster community engagement.

Leveraging her extensive background in editorial, digital media, and fine art, she brings an intentional and curatorial approach to every project, supported by a diverse and dedicated team that shares a commitment to artistic excellence and innovation.

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Our Core Beliefs

 

DIVERSITY + REPRESENTATION

At Story & Image Studio, Nalani partners with clients to diversify not only their content streams but also their contributors and featured talent. Her studio ensures a balance that is inclusive of women, people of color, established talent, and up-and-comers alike, reflecting our commitment to broad representation.

ACCESSIBILITY

Nalani believes everyone should have the creative resources to share their voices, stories, and ideas with the world. Her studio is dedicated to making creativity accessible to all.

MENTORSHIP

Our studio aims to mentor and guide the next generation of creators by sharing personal stories and lessons from our journey in the industry. We collaborate with creative professionals who share our dedication to craft, fostering a learning environment that nurtures artistic growth.

 

Our Circle

 

Based in Los Angeles, California, Story & Image Studio collaborates with an extensive network of photographers, artists, videographers, graphic designers, and other innovative creatives.

PROJECTS HAVE FEATURED

  • Ryan Bingham, Tomasa Del Real, Bob Moses, Snow Tha Product, Sofi Tukker, Wild Belle, Jai Wolf.

  • Utkarsh Ambudkar, Ian Bohen, Alfonso Cuarón, Annie Gonzalez, Chloë Grace-Moretz, Gabriel Luna, Yalitza Aparicio Martínez, Isabel May, Jesse Metcalfe, Emma Nelson, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Halston Sage, Sarah Shahi, Norman Reedus, Jonas Rivera, Lakeith Stanfield, Milo Ventimiglia

  • Tavis Coburn, Federico Jimenez Caballero, Mike McQuade, Mister Cartoon, Keely Cat-Wells, Diandra Marizet, Flor Martinez Zaragoza, Adam Enrique Rodriguez, Sofia Enriquez.

  • Richard Blais, Jamie Gwen, Antonia Lofaso, Stuart O’Keeffe, Fabio Viviani, Zac Young.

  • Gevin Fax, Carey Hart, Lathan McKay.

  • Roberto Badin, Richard Bernardin, Todd Blubaugh, Dean Bradshaw, Brittany Bravo, Fredrik Brodén, Lenne Chai, Lindsey Childs, Nick Fancher, Fab Fernandez, Lance Gerber, Emanuel Hahn, Jonas Jungblut, Gabor Jurina, Frédéric Lagrange, Michael Lewis, Amanda Lopez, Nicholas Maggio, Drew Martin, Sheryl Nields, Danilo Scarpati, Mathew Scott, Adam Secore, Brian Bowen Smith, Greg Swales, Erik Tanner, Gilles Uzan, Simon Winnall.

Studio Founder

Nalani Hernandez-Melo is more than a visual storyteller; she is a visionary artist whose creative journey spans visual art, editorial content, and client projects across both print and digital media. With a rich background in content production, digital marketing, event curation, and fine art, Nalani seamlessly blends a diverse array of skills into her work as a photographer, director, and curator, imbuing each project with profound depth and intentionality.  


She advocates for diversity and gender equality within the production industry, actively championing initiatives that support mental health and emotional wellness among creatives. Nalani's collaborative spirit and commitment to uplifting others are reflected in her roles at ALTURA L.A. and Botanica Melo.


Past clients of Nalani / Story & Image Studio include:

Publications: BUST Magazine, DeLos, Easyriders Magazine, Global Citizen, Los Angeles Times, Palm Springs Life Magazine, Vogue Mexico

Brands: Banana Republic, Coming Up Roses, Fashion Week El Paseo, Goldenvoice, Los Angeles Dodgers, Palm Desert Food & Wine, Palm Springs International Film Festival, Poderistas, Sanrio, Sundance Film Festival, WhatsApp.