M. Petra Daher
Documentary Filmmaker and Visual Artist
Artist Statement
I consider myself a collector of stories. The stories that I collect are an expression of creativity, freedom, love, and learning. Throughout my life I have used many artistic mediums to capture and preserve the stories that come to me: photography, video, film, media activism, drum, clay, collage, journal, blog and puppetry, just to name a few. My muse is always changing. The celebration of creative expression is very important to me. I am happiest when I am creating.
I began my artistic journey in childhood. I come from a family of photographers and storytellers. Documenting events 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 photographer ever since. My favorite subject matter is culture, nature, and grassroots activism.
My artistic approach is a mixture of both observational and expository styles. I am most inspired by natural light, the seasons, the charisma of everyday people and the natural beauty of an impromptu situation.
Technology and artistic expression allow me to preserve a moment in time; that is and will always be miraculous and precious to me! Creating art allows me to encapsulate an extraordinary character, to preserve the memory of a beautiful day or to capture a grassroots movement’s protest. Cameras are enchanting and a great photograph is the culmination of a perfect story. It is a privilege to honor and save a moment in time.
I began my artistic journey in childhood. I come from a family of photographers and storytellers. Documenting events 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 photographer ever since. My favorite subject matter is culture, nature, and grassroots activism.
My artistic approach is a mixture of both observational and expository styles. I am most inspired by natural light, the seasons, the charisma of everyday people and the natural beauty of an impromptu situation.
Technology and artistic expression allow me to preserve a moment in time; that is and will always be miraculous and precious to me! Creating art allows me to encapsulate an extraordinary character, to preserve the memory of a beautiful day or to capture a grassroots movement’s protest. Cameras are enchanting and a great photograph is the culmination of a perfect story. It is a privilege to honor and save a moment in time.
Biography
Petra Daher loves a good story! She's a seasoned video director, photographer, editor, writer, puppet maker and media education instructor. Petra's specialization is documentary film production and observational photography. Her favorite subject matter is culture, nature, and grassroots activism. Her documentaries have been seen at film festivals, on the Internet, and on public and educational television. Her photography and artwork has been exhibited in galleries, published in travel magazines and hang in personal collections across the United States. Daher graduated from Michigan State University and has a vocational teaching certification in Video Production from Western Michigan University. She has taught art and new media to people of all ages including: Videography, Photography, Documentary Production, Digital Editing, World Cinema and Puppetry.
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
Jazzy Tam Films
Kuby Girl Productions
Lansing School District
Lansing Community College
Meta Peace Team
Michigan Artshare
Michigan Environmental Council
Michigan Pride
Michigan Wildlife Conservancy
Points of Light Foundation
Safe Schools/ Healthy Student Initiative
Southern Poverty Law Center
The Creole Gallery
The Sierra Club
TV Gals
TurnHere
Video 360
The Wharton Center
Collaborations
Director of Photography/Videography
Chely Wright: Wish Me Away
TV Gals Media 2012 Directors: Bobbie Birleffi, Beverly Kopf
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.
Petra Daher, Additional Camera, Michigan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF-aIDD5Vd4
System Of A Down, "Boom!" 2009 filmmaker Michael Moore ("Roger & Me," "Bowling for Columbine)
Petra Daher, Videography, Michigan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE2r7r7VVic
Photography, Film, Puppetry and Masks Exhibits, short list
Most 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
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
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
Jazzy Tam Films
Kuby Girl Productions
Lansing School District
Lansing Community College
Meta Peace Team
Michigan Artshare
Michigan Environmental Council
Michigan Pride
Michigan Wildlife Conservancy
Points of Light Foundation
Safe Schools/ Healthy Student Initiative
Southern Poverty Law Center
The Creole Gallery
The Sierra Club
TV Gals
TurnHere
Video 360
The Wharton Center
Collaborations
Director of Photography/Videography
Chely Wright: Wish Me Away
TV Gals Media 2012 Directors: Bobbie Birleffi, Beverly Kopf
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.
Petra Daher, Additional Camera, Michigan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF-aIDD5Vd4
System Of A Down, "Boom!" 2009 filmmaker Michael Moore ("Roger & Me," "Bowling for Columbine)
Petra Daher, Videography, 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
Most 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
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
