Petri of Atlanta on Life, Lessons & Legacy

Petri shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Petri, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think a lot of people, especially in the creative world, are secretly struggling with comparison and self-doubt. We live in a time where you’re constantly seeing everyone else’s highlight reel on social media, so it can feel like you’re always behind or not doing enough. What people don’t always say out loud is that even the most talented creators question their work, their worth, or whether they’re moving fast enough.

I’ve definitely had those moments myself as a director and content creator. But I’ve learned that growth doesn’t come from comparison—it comes from consistency, from showing up for yourself, and from remembering why you started creating in the first place.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Petri, and I’m the founder of Mica Petri Studios in Atlanta. I work as a director, filmmaker, videographer, editor, photographer, and content creator. At the heart of everything I do is storytelling—whether that’s through a music video, a brand campaign, wedding film, or an independent short.

What makes my work unique is that I approach each project like a filmmaker. I think about pacing, emotion, lighting, and perspective in the same way I would if I were creating a scene for a movie. That’s what allows me to turn everyday moments into something cinematic, and it’s what helps my clients stand out—because their visuals don’t just look good, they feel like a story.

My path into filmmaking and content creation has been about finding the balance between passion and purpose. I love creating visuals that people connect to on an emotional level, but I also see film and media as tools for building culture, sparking conversations, and inspiring others.

Right now, I’m working on expanding Mica Petri Studios to not only serve artists, brands, and individuals with high-quality visuals, but also to develop original films and creative projects. Long-term, I want my brand to be known for both cinematic client work and for producing films that resonate, challenge perspectives, and create opportunities for other rising creatives in the community.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Honestly, God saw me clearly before I ever saw myself. There were seasons when I didn’t know what direction to take or if I was good enough, but God kept opening doors, placing opportunities in front of me, and surrounding me with the right people to remind me of my purpose.

Alongside that, my family and a few close friends saw my gift early on. They recognized my creative eye and passion for storytelling long before I was confident enough to claim the title of filmmaker or director. There were times when I thought I was just ‘playing with a camera,’ but they saw an artist and a storyteller.

That combination—God’s guidance and the belief of the people closest to me—helped me step into who I am today. It gave me the confidence to not just chase my dreams, but to live out the calling that was already placed on my life.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me patience and resilience in a way that success never could. When everything is going well, it’s easy to feel confident and comfortable. But it was in the seasons of struggle—when projects fell through, when money was tight, when doubt crept in—that I learned who I really was.
Suffering reminded me that my identity and worth aren’t tied to achievements or recognition.

It taught me to lean on God, to be resourceful, to trust the process, and to keep creating even when I didn’t see instant results. Success feels good, but struggle is what shaped my character. It gave me grit, faith, and the kind of perspective that keeps me grounded when success finally does come.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in the creative industry is that you need the most expensive gear or a massive budget to create something meaningful. I’ve seen people paralyzed by waiting for the ‘perfect camera’ or the ‘perfect setup,’ when in reality, it’s the vision, creativity, and storytelling that make the work powerful.

Another lie is that you have to follow a certain path to be successful. The truth is, there’s no single blueprint in this industry. Some people go to film school, others learn on YouTube, some start with a phone and grow into cinema cameras—but all of them can create incredible work.

And maybe the biggest lie is that success is about clout or followers. Social media can trick you into thinking the numbers matter more than the art, but what lasts is impact. A million views can fade overnight, but a story that connects with someone’s heart will stay with them forever.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think what people may misunderstand about my legacy is that it’s not just about the visuals I created or the projects I completed—it’s about the lives I touched through those stories. People might look back and see the films, the photography, the music videos, and think my legacy was just about creating content. But to me, it’s bigger than that.

My true legacy is about using creativity as a tool to inspire, to empower, and to open doors for others. It’s about the younger filmmaker who felt seen because I gave them a chance, the client whose story was told with dignity, or the person who watched one of my films and walked away with a new perspective.

I think the misunderstanding will be people focusing on the work itself, when in reality the work was only the vessel—my purpose was always about impact. And I believe that’s what God placed me here to do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.MicaPetriStudios.com
• Instagram: @MicaPetri
• Youtube: @MicaPetri

Image Credits
IG: @MicaPetri