Photographer With Deep Roots

Petra Calling Photography is the culmination of one man’s many passions and years of hard work. Thamer found himself inspired by the couples he met while working in men’s formalwear, where he outfitted many grooms-to-be. He had always loved taking photos, so it was a natural transition into the world of wedding photography.

As a self-described tech nerd, Thamer figured out the ins-and-outs of photography through lots and lots of practice. “I love playing with gear. I love geeking out,” Thamer admits with excitement.

When he first began, he scoured the internet for tips and tricks and those self-taught skills landed him an internship at an established wedding photography company. Soon after, Thamer branched out on his own and launched Petra Calling.

The name Petra Calling pays homage to Thamer’s roots. Thamer was born in Jordan and moved to California when he was seven. While visiting Jordan in 2006, he fell in love with the ancient trading city of Petra. The name appropriately incorporates a reference to The Clash’s London Calling, as he grew up listening to punk-rock.

When working on weddings, Thamer does whatever he can to embrace the moment. “My favorite part of what I do is my connection with my subjects. That’s why I love doing weddings so much, I love being inspired by working with couples,” Thamer says.

Making people uncomfortable just isn’t going to make for a good photo, so he tries to put everyone at ease, especially when shooting the bridal party. “Everyone is more comfortable if I assure them we’re going to make it quick, so they can enjoy the rest of the party,” he says. “Anyways, It’s mostly about the bride and groom.”

Thamer recalls one of his favorite shoots, Nathan and Michelle’s wedding. They were unconventional -- the couple wanted shots with graffiti walls and old bridges in in Los Feliz. Their wedding was held in downtown Los Angeles near the arts district in an old building with exposed brick wall. Thamer loved their one-of-a-kind ideas and fed off their energy. Years later he fondly remembers them as his favorite couple to shoot.

But Petra Calling isn’t just about weddings. Thamer has also brought his passion for food into his work. He loves working with chefs who create beautiful dishes. “They put so much effort into not just making the food taste good, but also to present it in a certain way,” he says with admiration. Thamer also enjoys taking headshots, graduation photos and family photos.

For more information and to see Thamer’s work visit PetraCalling.com or follow @petracallingphotography on Instagram.