FILMMAKING

FOUNDATIONS

Learn how to seamlessly transition from photography to filmmaking and craft emotionally rich, story-driven films that bring your images to life. This course will give you the confidence to capture movement, sound, and connection—elevating your work and expanding your photography business.

Bring your photos to life through the power of filmmaking. Learn how to capture movement, connection, and emotion with confidence—turning fleeting moments into beautifully crafted films that tell a deeper story. Whether you're new to video or looking to refine your skills, this course will give you the tools to create films that truly move people.

Learn how to bring your stories to life through film and create family films that feel real, honest, and deeply emotional. If you’re a photographer ready to dive into filmmaking, this course will give you the confidence to capture movement, sound, and connection in a way that feels effortless and natural.

Inside, you’ll discover how to weave together video and stills, use music and pacing to create emotional impact, and refine your edits for a film that truly tells a story. This isn’t about making perfect, polished videos—it’s about creating something meaningful, something that feels like home.

Filmmaking Fundamentals

FilmingLife® Course

Who This Course Is For:

  • Photographers ready to make the leap into filmmaking and confidently capture movement, sound, and emotion.

  • Creatives who want to craft films that feel natural, heartfelt, and deeply personal—not just moving pictures, but meaningful stories.

  • Filmmakers looking for a solid foundation in storytelling, editing, and pacing to create films that truly connect with their audience.

  • Anyone ready to go beyond capturing moments and start crafting films that feel cinematic, authentic, and full of life.

Pre-Requisites:

  • A solid understanding of exposure is required

  • A camera that shoots video

  • A computer capable of editing video, with Premiere Pro installed (other software is welcome but not covered)

How Much Does it Cost?

This course is exclusively available to FilmingLife® members and is included in the monthly membership fee of $75/m along with all of our other courses, workshops, mentoring, live run small groups, and 1:1 Film Critiques. The course, if it was available to purchase on it’s own, would be valued at $1200 USD.

Next Live Run Starts: Sep 1, 2025. Join the Waitlist Below.

  • Why Family Films? The value of capturing real-life stories in motion.

    Types of Family Films You Can Create & Eventually Add to Your Business (If you want to!) Explore different styles of family films and how they can fit into your work.

    Additional Opportunities for Family Filmmakers Discover creative and business opportunities beyond family films.

    The Value of Keepsake Films for Skill Building Why small, personal projects help you grow as a filmmaker.

    Understanding the Transition from Photography to Filmmaking How to shift your mindset and approach when moving from stills to motion.

    Essential Equipment & Camera Settings for Filmmaking Learn the must-have gear and how to dial in your camera settings for video.

    Picture Profiles Explained: When to Shoot in LOG Understanding when and why to shoot in LOG for better color grading.

    Enhancing Your Films with High-Quality Audio Simple techniques to improve your film’s sound quality.

    Assignment 1: Filmmaker’s Inspiration Board - Discover Your Stories A hands-on exercise to define your storytelling style.

  • Unlocking Your Camera’s Potential: Video Settings Explained Understanding frame rates, resolution, and settings for filmmaking.

    Perfecting Exposure: Using Histograms and Zebras Master exposure tools for consistently well-lit footage.

    Focusing Fundamentals: Mastering Manual and Autofocus for Film Learn techniques to keep your shots sharp and intentional.

    Mastering Handheld Filmmaking: Techniques for Stable Shots How to shoot handheld without a gimbal for a natural, immersive feel.

    How to Recognize & Film a Scene Breaking down the elements of an effective scene.

    180 Degree Rule Understanding spatial continuity in filmmaking.

    Watch Me Film a Scene – BTS with a Family of Five A behind-the-scenes look at real family filmmaking in action.

    Assignment 2: Mixing Bowl Exercise – Experimenting with Shots and Movement A hands-on exercise to build confidence in capturing dynamic movement.

  • Lighting Techniques: Bringing Depth and Mood to Your Films How to use natural and artificial light effectively.

    Moving the Camera, Moving the Story: A Guide to Cinematic Motion Techniques for intentional camera movement.

    Visual Storytelling: Composition Essentials for Filmmaking How to frame shots for maximum storytelling impact.

    Mastering Low & Artificial Light Strategies for shooting in challenging lighting conditions.

    Using Light and Composition for Keepsake Films Applying cinematic techniques to small, personal projects.

    Assignment 3: Lighting and Composition Study A practical exercise in light and framing.

  • The Foundations of Visual Storytelling What makes a story resonate on screen?

    Building a Visual Story Arc How to structure your films for emotional impact.

    Crafting Emotion: Building Emotional Beats Techniques for evoking feeling through film.

    The Art of B-Roll and Detail Shots How to capture cinematic, storytelling-driven B-roll.

    Pacing and Rhythm in Film Understanding timing and flow for better storytelling.

    The Art of Slow Motion for Storytelling When and how to use slow motion for emotional impact.

    How to Use Music to Enhance the Story and Emotional Impact of a Film Choosing music that adds depth to your storytelling.

    Finding Music for Your Keepsake Film Tips for sourcing the perfect soundtrack.

    Assignment 4: Plan Your Keepsake Film Map out your final project with intention.

  • Getting Set Up for Video Editing The basics of working in Premiere Pro.

    10 Step Post Processing Workflow A step-by-step guide to organizing and processing footage.

    Importing Footage and Creating a New Project in Premiere Pro 2025 Setting up your project the right way.

    Creating a Custom Workspace for Your Editing Style Customizing Premiere Pro for a smooth workflow.

    Timeline Fundamentals Understanding the timeline and how to edit efficiently.

    Sequencing Practice Footage: Assembling a Story Learn how to build a compelling sequence from scratch.

    Using Basic Transitions & Effects How to enhance your film without overdoing it.

    Introduction to Color Correction & Grading The basics of color adjustments for a polished look.

    Exporting Your Film: Best Practices How to deliver high-quality final exports.

    Boosting Your Editing Efficiency: Essential Keyboard Shortcuts in Premiere Pro Editing faster and smarter.

Course Modules & Lessons:

Why join this course?

This isn’t just about learning how to use your camera for video—it’s about telling stories that feel real and deeply meaningful. In this course, you’ll learn how to capture movement, connection, and emotion with confidence, creating films that go beyond just pretty footage. You’ll get a clear, step-by-step approach to filmmaking, from camera settings to storytelling techniques, plus hands-on exercises to help you practice and grow. With behind-the-scenes insights and a supportive community to guide you, you’ll gain the skills to create films that truly capture the heart of a moment.

By the end of this course:

You’ll have created your very own keepsake family film—one that brings together everything you’ve learned. You’ll know how to capture authentic moments, shape them into a compelling story, and refine your edit to create a film that feels seamless, emotional, and deeply meaningful.

How To Join:

Choose Your Path: Self-Study or Live Run?

You have two options to begin your journey:

  • Click Here Start Now with Self-Study – Get instant access to the full course and work through it at your own pace.

  • Join the Waitlist Below for the Live Run – Prefer guided support and real-time interaction? Join the waitlist for our next live run, where you'll get direct feedback, group discussions, and additional insights to refine your storytelling skills. Choose the option that works best for you and start creating compelling, emotionally-driven family films today!

Exclusive Perks for the Live Run

If you join the live run, you'll have the opportunity to submit your final project and get a $75 credit (equivalent to one free month) towards your FilmingLife Academy membership! Plus, the best submission, as chosen by Courtney & Kylie, will win a 12-month membership to FilmingLife Academy!