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From Frames to Films

a COMPLETE guide 

to  CINEMATIC STORYTELLING

for photographers ready to create films that move hearts

Master the skills you need to make heart-centered family films while transforming your passion into a successful & fulfilling business—just like I did.

FilmingLife® Academy gives you everything you need to master family filmmaking, from camera settings to storytelling techniques, and from video editing to marketing your business.

Whether you're looking to create films for your family or turn this craft into a full-fledged career, our courses and community will guide you every step of the way.

You’ll learn the ins and outs of filmmaking without the overwhelm, so you can confidently create films that evoke real emotions and lasting memories.

If you find yourself struggling with…

Camera Confusion: Struggling to understand video settings and unsure if you're doing it right.

Editing Stress: You’re uncertain about how to edit video, choose music, and color grade footage effectively.

Storytelling Doubts: You’re unsure which moments to capture and second-guessing your choices, leading to overanalysis and missed opportunities.

Crickets on Social Media: Posting your films but not getting the attention or high-paying clients you desire.

No Community: Feeling isolated and looking for a community that understands your filmmaking journey and offers support.

Procrastination: Want to make films for your family but keep putting it off without someone pushing you to start.

FilmingLife® can help with all of this and more.

FilmingLife® Membership Benefits:

What you’ll learn inside the Academy:

Camera Settings & Gear Guidance: Learn how to set up your camera for video without needing expensive equipment.

Audio & Sound Design: Capture high-quality audio and blend it seamlessly with music to tell a compelling story.

Editing Mastery: From the fundamentals of video editing to advanced color grading, you’ll gain all the skills you need.

Natural Light Mastery: Learn how to work with different lighting conditions to create beautiful, well-lit films.

Cinematography Techniques: Discover how to elevate your storytelling through creative composition, perspective, and camera movements.

Client Workflows: Get step-by-step guidance on how to work with clients, from initial inquiry to delivering the final film.

Storyboarding & Storytelling Techniques: Learn how to develop authentic, unique stories for each family you film.

Business Marketing Strategies: Master the art of attracting high-paying clients and building a successful filmmaking business.

  • "Although I’m not experienced with video - I have had my photography business for 4 years now and thought I was pretty across portfolio building strategies - so I was really pleasantly surprised that I was able to take so much away from this course! So many things I hadn’t thought of before and it has given me some really clear strategies moving forward to go into film portfolio sessions with a confident approach! Feeling very inspired - thank you kylie !!"

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FilmingLife® is where

Heart + Storytelling

meets Creative Filmmaking

I’ve taught filmmaking to over 50k photographers around the globe through my course on CreativeLive, at conferences in Australia, NZ and the USA, and of course through my online courses here at FilmingLife® Academy.

Like many of you, I started out overwhelmed and unsure how to translate my love of photography into filmmaking.

I had no roadmap, just trial and error. But as I persisted, I discovered that filmmaking offered a deeper way to tell stories.

What started as a small experiment turned into a six-figure business, and now I want to share everything I learned with you.

I’ve created FilmingLife® Academy so that you don’t have to go through years of trial and error like I did. I’m here to guide you through the process, show you how to avoid the mistakes I made, and help you build a fulfilling business you love.

Courtney Holmes

Founder & Lead Educator

Kylie Purtell

Community Manager & Educator

Our mission at FilmingLife® is to provide you with the knowledge and skills you need, to be able to craft the kinds of stories that you want to tell. 

To create a welcoming space where you can connect with other creatives, as you learn and grow as an artist. And to nuture a community of filmmakers who will be there to support you along your journey and celebrate your success.

It’s our mission to see you succeed in family filmmaking so that you can feel confident about giving this gift of memory preservation to yourself and to others.

listen to our podcast

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listen to our podcast 〰️

  • "Your ability to anticipate what we need to know is masterful. Also, I appreciated that when it came to gear, for example, there was never more than 2 recommendations (from what I remember), which was helpful in terms of not feeling overwhelmed. None of the information was overwhelming, only simply (yet deeply!) explained, and presented clearly and beautifully on the site. I appreciated the balance of delivery of instruction -- reading vs. video tutorial vs. YouTube source — all so well considered (LOVED the docs). You're a great teacher!!"

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ArtHouse Film Projects

Once you’ve learnt the basics of filmmaking, we invite you to further strengthen and expand on your skills with our ArtHouse Film Projects

By participating in these quarterly themed film projects, you'll have the opportunity to dive deep into specific areas of filmmaking, enhancing your skills and creativity with focused practice. Each project comes with educational calls, expert guidance, and hands-on tutorials, allowing you to develop new techniques while receiving real-time feedback from industry professionals. The live Zoom sessions, Q&As, and resources provided ensure you stay inspired and connected with the community, while the opportunity to submit your work to the ArtHouse Showcase motivates you to push your filmmaking boundaries and create standout pieces for your portfolio.

New themes released each quarter!

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New themes released each quarter! 〰️

  • “I like how you break the course into bite sized pieces. The information seems detailed but not so detailed that it’s overwhelming. I liked the video sample of how you broke down the music to the footage as I’m not super musical. How you explained the process of selecting music made the choice much clearer and also what to listen for clarified a lot for me. One thing I have really noticed is how my photography is becoming more layered through doing these courses.”

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Frequently asked questions

Have questions not answered above?

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Learn how to shoot & edit video using the gear you already have, from anywhere in the world.