Shoot Wisely the Creators Podcast with Amir Ebrahimi
Hosted by photographer and documentarian Amir Ebrahimi, the Shoot Wisely Podcast explores the creative process through honest conversations with artists, filmmakers, photographers, designers, writers, and other inspiring creators.
With more than 20 years of production experience, Amir has traveled the world documenting a wide range of stories, from covering the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, to producing social issue campaigns for the Ethiopian Health Ministry, to extensive NBA coverage on and off the court, and documenting life inside Cambodian orphanages.
Each episode dives into the journey behind the work: the experiences, struggles, inspirations, and moments that shaped each guest’s creative path. While the show has a strong focus on photographers, cinematographers, and visual storytellers, the conversations remain open to creators from every discipline who are driven by curiosity and the need to make something meaningful.
Shoot Wisely is less about rigid interviews and more about authentic dialogue exploring the who, what, where, and why behind creativity, with occasional insight into the tools and techniques each artist uses along the way.
At its core, the podcast exists to inspire people to create fearlessly, think deeply, and ultimately, shoot wisely.
If you enjoy the show, please leave a review and share it with someone who loves the creative process.
Shoot Wisely the Creators Podcast with Amir Ebrahimi
10 Thanasis Petrakis UFC/NBA Videographer
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Episode 10 — Thanasis Petrakis, UFC/NBA Videographer
In Episode 10 of the Shoot Wisely podcast, I sit down with videographer Thanasis Petrakis to talk about capturing some of the most iconic moments in modern sports history.
Thanasis shares what it was like being behind the lens during the explosive clash between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor inside the Ultimate Fighting Championship — one of the most intense nights the sport has ever seen. We discuss the pressure of filming in high-stakes environments where chaos can erupt at any second, and the responsibility of documenting history as it unfolds in real time.
We also dive into classic NBA moments he’s captured, including Kevin Durant’s legendary run at Rucker Park in New York City — a cultural proving ground for basketball greatness. From courtside access to off-court storytelling, Thanasis breaks down how he anticipates moments before they happen and positions himself to preserve them forever.
This episode is about timing, instinct, and the art of staying ready when history decides to show up.
In This Episode
- Filming the Khabib vs. McGregor showdown
- Working inside the UFC at peak intensity
- Capturing Kevin Durant’s Rucker Park run
- NBA moments on and off the court
- Anticipation and positioning as a videographer
- The pressure of documenting live, unscripted history
- Balancing artistry with speed in sports media
About the Guest
Thanasis Petrakis is a sports videographer known for capturing defining moments in both MMA and professional basketball. His work blends cinematic storytelling with documentary precision, preserving high-stakes competition and cultural milestones as they happen.