About Backstory
We're the team
that gives a damn.
A bold, instinct-driven creative agency from Fresno, California.
The team
People behind the work.
The people you meet are the people making the work. No producers calling the directors, no account managers between you and the editor.
Mike Bowman
Co-Founder + Director
Tyler Weihe
Co-Founder + Director
Jay Parada
Director of Photography
Sareen Creede
Director of Client Strategy + Production
Devin Taing
Content Producer
- No headshot
Natalie Canales
Social Media Manager
Jason Vargas
Lead Editor
Brand essence
We don't just make content. We make people feel something.
Our work is fueled by instinct, sharpened by strategy, and designed to leave a mark. We operate on gut, grit, and a refusal to settle.
Every project we take on is a chance to create what doesn't exist yet: something bold, something real, something that actually moves the needle.
The refresh
Desert heat.
Burn bright.
The desert metaphor runs through everything we make: the palette, the texture, the mindset. Like the desert itself (extreme, beautiful, unforgiving), the work we do thrives in conditions where others wilt.
We lean into the heat. We chase the kind of creativity that leaves blisters.
Core values
Five principles.
Every project.
No exceptions.
Say less, feel more
The most powerful stories don't need to shout. They just need to hit where it matters.
We craft work that speaks through emotion, visuals, and moments that stay with you. Not about saying everything. About saying the right thing, in the right way, so people actually feel it.
Leave a mark
Our goal isn't to blend in. It's to stand out.
Every project we touch should leave an impression, whether it's a bold visual, a line that hits hard, or a story that sticks. We aim to make work that gets remembered, not just seen.
Move the needle
We're not here to make noise. We're here to make impact.
Creativity has to drive results, shift perception, or change behavior. Whether it's engagement, sales, or sentiment, we keep one eye on the craft and one on what it's actually doing.
Act on instinct
Great ideas don't always come from a spreadsheet.
We trust our gut, take creative risks, and follow the spark. We're not reckless. We're intuitive. When something feels right, we lean in and go for it.
Never satisfied
We're proud of the work we make, but we're always chasing better.
Every project is a chance to level up: to push our craft, sharpen our process, and outdo what we did last time. Growth isn't optional; it's our fuel.
Where we sit
What we are.
What we're not.
We're not a production house that executes briefs. We're not a traditional agency that hides behind process. We're creative partners who move on instinct, back it with strategy, and never stop until the work earns its place in someone's memory.
We are
- Bold, not loud
- Strategic, not rigid
- Instinct-driven, not reckless
- Honest, not harsh
- Ambitious, never satisfied
We are not
- Polished just to look safe
- Data-only decision makers
- Order takers
- Trend chasers
- Complacent
What we do
Three disciplines.
One team.
Brand Building
Identity systems, visual language, and the strategy underneath. Built to last past the launch, not just look good in the case study.
Campaign Crafting
Concept, story, and execution as one piece. We write the line, build the look, and run the shoot, so nothing gets lost in translation.
Cinematic Visuals
Brand films, commercials, photography, social-first content. Made by directors and editors who actually run the room.
Got something to say?
Let's make
people feel it.
Tell us about your project. We'll tell you if we're the right team for it.