Final Project Showcase: Filmmaking Foundations Live Run Jan-March 2025
Every time we run the Filmmaking Foundations for Photographers course live, we’re blown away by what our students create.
This round was no different.
Over the last few weeks, students worked through each module with guidance, support, and encouragement from the FilmingLife® Academy community. They learned how to switch from photo to video, capture motion with intention, edit their footage into meaningful story-driven films — and most importantly, tell stories that matter.
The goal was to create a short keepsake or client film using the skills they’d learned.
What they delivered? So much more than that.
Why These Films Matter
Some students chose to document a moment from their personal lives.
Others chose to create something beautiful for a client.
Both approaches are equally valid, powerful, and meaningful.
What connects all of these films is the heart behind them — the commitment to telling a real story, to noticing the little moments that matter, and to growing as a filmmaker.
This project was about:
learning to shoot and edit with purpose
building confidence behind the video record button
seeing the story in both the everyday and the work you do for others
What You’ll See Below
Each student shared their final film as part of our course wrap-up.
Some were nervous to hit “submit.”
Others weren’t sure their film was “good enough.”
But they all pushed through and shared something they were proud of.
⬇️ Scroll down to watch their films.
You’ll see:
real-life chaos, not perfectly curated scenes
laughter, connection, and beautifully imperfect moments
the start of something amazing
To the Students Who Shared Their Work...
You should be incredibly proud.
Not just of the final film, but of the time, love, and energy you poured into learning this skill.
You’ve taken the first big step in your filmmaking journey — and we can’t wait to see where you take it next.
Watch the Keepsake Film Showcase
What a precious gift it is, to get this assignment. A keepsake film. Thinking about what I could use as a theme of my keepsake film, wasn't a hard task. I've been struggling being a mom of 3 little kiddo's. They make a mess, they need help, they always call 'Moooooom' and never their dad, ... I need time for myself. And when I have that time, I probably use it watching photos and movies of them... So I wanted to really realize what it will look like when they'll be gone and leave the house. Because there's clutter, there are dirty windows, and there is a whole lot of dishes to do. But the house is alive. There's sound. It's not silent. It's full. Life is full. And with a poem I got from Lois Kruidenier, I wanted to show what it's like now, and to make people (parents) realize that this time isn't forever.
Well we're blessed to have four Grandkids, this is no 2. He's the sweetest boy with a heart of gold. Always thinking of others it's hard to get him to sit still lol. He did rather well and was surprisingly chilled throughout the whole process.
John Hollis | Instagram
This is a keepsake family film of my two girls, in their own spaces and how they are together. I have absolutely loved documenting them in this way, I have so much more skill to learn. I’m so happy to have this as a keepsake… not only as it is of my own girls at this age, but also as a keepsake of how much I have learned thus far!
Ashley Carruthers | Website | Instagram
TN had a week of snow and during January. A new photographer had posted about wanting a family session and I asked if I could do a little video with no promises on how it'd turn out. My fingers were frozen, the little boy screamed the whole time (instead of laughing) so there's minimal audio with him. However, it was a great learning experience. I was recording willy nilly and when I went to put it together it was hard because I didn't think about how clips could flow if I had paid closer attention to who was where, who was interacting with who and the bigger picture. I pulled audio from different clips when it came to the little boy giggling and the snow crunching.
I wanted to film a Japanese family in a traditional Japanese home since moving to Tokyo. I’m so happy I had the opportunity to capture this beautiful family in their element. The mother mentioned that the younger boy tends to be shy around others and often experiences stranger danger, so it was especially meaningful to see him open up.
One of my biggest challenges is letting go of the clips I take. Just like with photos, it’s hard to cull my footage, but I’m working on it. I also struggle with finding the right music, which always takes forever. There’s still so much to learn about videography, but I’m glad I took on this challenge!
This is a moving portrait of my daughter with a love letter from her dad. I loved making this film. I put so much love it in and it's one close to my heart. It's one of the first films I made, because I just started operating a camera. But filmmaking has already won me over. The foundations course was so valuable and made me a lot more confident in operating my camera. During the course we talked about the challenges of filming inside (especially with the small windows in Holland), so I challenged myself to film it all indoors (different rooms). I tried to shot match everything. Also focused on using the different angles and shot types we learned about. And the most important thing I wanted to catch were 'interactions' instead of just 'actions'. I'm very proud and happy with the end result.
PS: the film is in our native language Dutch but with "cc" you can enable subtitles.
Inge Latour | Instagram
This was meant to be a keepsake of my friends playing scrabble. In the final lesson we discussed how adding a short interview would help tell the story of her victories post stroke. Then, after filming, I discovered that my brand new microphone was not switched on. (Headphones broke earlier in the day, and I saw levels in the camera and assumed all was fine... lesson learned.)
Since grandma was subsequently unavailable in the week for a new game, we got creative with the interview.
The family was absolutely awesome to work with. They're all beyond pleased, and a bit emotional in loving the film. I take that as a victory over my blunder!
🏆 And the Winners Are...
We’re excited to announce the winners of our Filmmaking Foundations Keepsake Film Prizes!
Social Media Sharing Prize
Kristen Willden wins 6 months of FilmingLife® Academy membership for her enthusiastic sharing of her experience throughout the course on social media, and her passion for inspiring and encouraging others. Thank you, Kristen, for spreading the love and creativity! 🌟
Best Film Award
I’m so excited to announce that the winner of Best Film Award and 12 month Membership to FilmingLife® Academy is Inge Latour.
Inge’s film was a love letter from her husband to their daughter — and it was stunning. The emotion, the storytelling, the way she captured those tiny, meaningful moments — I honestly couldn’t stop watching.
She pushed herself technically too — filming entirely indoors, working with challenging light, and editing everything together so beautifully. Her growth from where she started to this final film was huge, and I’m just so proud of what she’s created.
Well done, Inge. You absolutely nailed it.
Learn filmmaking with us!
If these films have inspired you to explore filmmaking and create your own keepsake film, we’d love to welcome you to FilmingLife® Academy! Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your skills, our Filmmaking Foundations for Photographers course is designed to help you confidently switch from stills to motion and craft story-driven family films you’ll treasure forever.
You have two ways to join us:
Start Right Now: The course is available as a SELF-STUDY OPTION, so you can dive in immediately and learn at your own pace.
Wait for the Next Live Run: Prefer to learn with guidance and community support? Join the waitlist for the next live run of the course, where you’ll receive real-time feedback, participate in group discussions, and have access to live Q&A sessions with Courtney.
No matter which path you choose, we can’t wait to help you turn your passion for storytelling into meaningful, heartfelt films. Let’s create something unforgettable together! 🎥✨
⬇️ Join Now or Join the Waitlist
Join the Waitlist for the Next Live Run:
Let’s Celebrate Together!
We hope you enjoy watching these films as much as we did. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below or tag us on social media @filminglifeacademy if you’re inspired to start your own filmmaking journey.
Congratulations again to Inge and Kristen, and a huge thank you to everyone who participated. Your films are a true testament to the power of storytelling. 🎥💛
