M. Petra Daher
Documentary Filmmaker and Visual Artist

Biography
Petra Loves A Good Story!
Producer/Director/Cinematographer/Editor/Writer

Petra Daher is a filmmaker, photographer, and Teaching Artist specializing in documentary film production, digital storytelling, and photography.  She studied at Michigan State University and has owned Petra Daher Productions for twenty years.  Petra's films explore culture, creativity, environmentalism, and grassroots activism.  She's produced and worked on award-winning films screened at film festivals, public television, and Netflix.  Her photography has been exhibited in galleries and published in magazines and newspapers. She loves to share her passion for storytelling and has taught Digital Filmmaking, Photography, Podcasting, and Puppet Theater.  In 2019, Petra Productions released the film, In Peace We Trust, a documentary exploring the mission and philosophy of the Meta Peace Team.  A group that teaches active nonviolence techniques as alternatives to militarism in The United States and abroad​.  She was also the Michigan Director of Photography for Director Jane Rosemont’s feature documentary, Acting Like Nothing is Wrong, about Hollywood actor Jim Hoffmaster.  Petra's most recent film, Uniting People, tells the powerful story of how the Poor People's Campaign was reborn in 2018—and how the Michigan chapter helped lead a growing national movement to confront poverty, racism, and injustice with love, truth, and direct action.

When Petra is not producing and Directing  her own projects or teaching, she has worked with clients throughout the United States to assist in the creation of quality photography, video and film production.  

Including
Bright Light Entertainment
Dog Eat Dog Films
Greater Lansing Artspace
Habak Films
Imagining America
Jazzy Tam Films
Kuby Girl Productions
Lansing School District
Lansing Community College
Meta Peace Team
Michigan Artshare
Michigan Environmental Council
Michigan Pride
Michigan State University Extension
Michigan Wildlife Conservancy
MSU Wharton Center
Peace Education Center
Points of Light Foundation
Safe Schools/ Healthy Student Initiative
Southern Poverty Law Center
The Creole Gallery
The Sierra Club
TV Gals 
TurnHere
Veterans for Peace
Video 360

Collaborations
Director of Photography
Acting Like Nothing is Wrong A documentary
Kuby Girl Productions 2022, Director Jane Rosemont
Petra Daher Director of Photography (Michigan)  
Despite what would seem to be a flourishing career, most recently playing Kermit on Showtime's Shameless, Hollywood character actor Jim Hoffmaster struggles both professionally and personally. Acting Like Nothing is Wrong explores how he navigates life without a stable upbringing. The film poses universal questions and illuminates mental health issues we experience on a daily basis.  Do we ever completely overcome our traumas? What are our coping mechanisms? Glimmers of hope and healthy doses of comedy are vital elements in the film.
https://www.actinglikenothingiswrong.com

Chely Wright: Wish Me Away
TV Gals Media 2012 Directors: Bobbie Birleffi, Beverly Kopf
Petra Daher, Cinematography, Michigan
After a lifetime of hiding, Chely Wright becomes the first commercial country music singer to come out as gay, shattering cultural stereotypes within Nashville, her conservative heartland family and, most importantly, within herself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF-aIDD5Vd4
 
System Of A Down, "Boom!", the music video  2009 filmmaker Michael Moore ("Roger & Me," "Bowling for Columbine)
Petra Daher, Cinematography, Michigan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE2r7r7VVic

Photography, Film, Puppetry and Masks Exhibits, short list

• Snake Rodeo, 1997, Old Town
• Otherwise Gallery, 1996, 1997 Old Town, Lansing, Michigan
• Bare Bones Gallery, 2001, Old Town, Lansing, Michigan
• Creole Gallery, 2010, Old Town, Lansing Michigan
• Mama Bears Café, 2010, Old Town, Lansing, Michigan
• Magdalena’s Tea house, 2008, Lansing, Michigan
• Art Alley, 2010, 2012, Lansing Michigan
• Windwalker Antiques and Fine Art Gallery, 2011, Charlotte, Michigan
• Prima Civitas, 2012, East Lansing, Michigan
• Casa Di Rosado, 2017, 2018, 2019, Lansing, Michigan
• Earthwork Harvest Gathering, 2019, Lake City, Michigan
• United Nations Peace Quest, 2019, MSU, East Lansing, Michigan

Recent Exhibits
Michigan Economic Development Fund’s Pure Michigan Building, in partnership with Michigan ArtShare, January – April, 2016, Tree Hugger Travel Michigan, “Following the Deer Trail”, Travel and Nature Photography and Music Videos.
Old Town General Store, Arts Night Out, September 2016, Nature Photography, Visual Essay about the History of Old Town in Pictures.
Eagle Monk Brewery, October 2016, Autumn from Harvest to the Shedding of the Leaves, Solo Photography Exhibit.
Casa Di Rosado, April 2017, Raise your Voice, A Social Justice Exhibit, Group Art Exhibit, Street Photography.
Casa Di Rosado, October 2018, 2019 Group exhibit Dia de Los Muertos
Earthwork Harvest Gathering, September 2019, Film Screening, In Peace We Trust
Peace Quest Michigan State University, September 2019, Film Screening, In Peace We Trust
Watermelon Blues, Greater Lansing Arts Council, 202
Photography featured in Magazines and Blogs
Schmap Honolulu,  Eleventh Edition: Travel Photography, Petra Daher’s Inclusion, “Waikiki Aquarium” 2010
The Story of Stuff, Photojournalism, Flint Water Crisis, 2016
Living on earth.org, Photojournalism, Flint Water Crisis, 2016
Triple Pundit, Photojournalism, Flint Water Crisis, 2016
Law at the Margins, Photojournalism, Flint Water Crisis, 2016
The Advocate, Same Sex Marriage Rights In Michigan, 2016
ACLU, Same Sex Marriage Rights In Michigan, 2015, 2016
Southern Poverty Law Center, 2018

Artist Statement

I’m a collector of stories. I've experimented with many artistic mediums to collect and preserve the stories that come to me: photography, video, film, media activism, clay, collage, writing, found objects, and puppetry, to name a few.  My muse changes, but the essence of my work is storytelling.  My favorite stories are about personal identity, creativity, freedom, love, and learning. My favorite characters are creators, rebels, change makers, and everyday people. My favorite subjects to explore are creativity, culture, nature, and grassroots activism. 
 
Celebrating and documenting creative expression inspires me.   I believe in the power of stories - they shape us, help us heal, and have the power to spread hope and build healthy communities.  I began my artistic journey in childhood.  I come from a family of photographers and storytellers.  Documenting events and celebrating culture was encouraged and revered in my family.  I got my first camera from my Aunt Rose when I was ten and have been a devoted camera person ever since.  Being a Second-generation Lebanese American has also influenced my creative style and worldview.  Being Arab in America made me sensitive to the role race and cultural identity play in the United States.
 
My artistic approach is a mixture of both observational and expository styles.  Technology and artistic expression allow me to push the limits and preserve a moment in time. The magic of my medium always feels miraculous and precious to me!  My creative journey allows me to encapsulate an extraordinary character, preserve the memory of a natural wonder, or commemorate a grassroots movement’s peaceful protest.  Cameras are enchanting, and a great photograph is the culmination of a perfect story.  A great film is a precious gift that entertains, inspires, and provides endless opportunities.  It is a privilege to honor to frame a story and save a moment in time. 
 
M. Petra Daher