STORY-DRIVEN
family films
FilmingLife® 201
A 7-Week Live Course to Help You Craft Intentional, Emotive, and Unforgettable Family Films
Starts Monday, 22 September (US) / Tuesday, 23 September (AU)
exclusively available to FilmingLife® Academy members
You’ve learned how to film with your camera.
Now it’s time to learn how to tell a story.
201: Story-Driven Family Films is a 7-week interactive course inside FilmingLife® Academy, designed for photographers and self-taught filmmakers who want to move beyond pretty clips & simple films into meaningful storytelling.
“Pretty clips with music aren’t enough. Families don’t just want to see themselves—they want to feel their story. Story-driven films are what make people cry, rewatch, and treasure your work for years.”
Who this course is for:
Photographers adding video to their offers
Self-taught filmmakers stuck at “pretty highlight reels
Creatives who want to find their voice and perspective in storytelling
Photographers ready to deliver films that make people cry, laugh, and hit replay
This course gives you the tools, strategies, and mindset shifts to confidently serve real families - with real stories - and turn your creative work into a sustainable part of your business.
Schedule & Key Dates
Course Begins:
Monday 22 September, 8pm EST / Tuesday 23 September, 10am Sydney Time
Live Call Schedule:
🗓️ Mondays (US/Canada) / Tuesdays (Australia)
🕗 8pm Eastern Time (USA)
✅ All calls are recorded and uploaded within 24 hours
First Call (Modules 1 & 2):
29/30 September
No Zoom Call:
13/14 October
Final Project First Cut Due:
3/4 November
Final Project Due:
11/12 November
Why Learn Inside FilmingLife® Academy?
Because you won’t be doing this alone. When you join this course, you’re learning inside the world’s largest community of family filmmakers.
For $75/month*, you’ll get access to:
A complete step-by-step curriculum to help you plan, shoot, and edit story-driven family films
Weekly live coaching calls with Courtney to get your questions answered and ideas flowing
Practical exercises to deepen your learning and sharpen your skills
Peer support and feedback in our dedicated course discussion space
Final project showcase with awards and recognition on our blog
PLUS you’ll also get access to:
All other courses in the Academy
Quarterly Live-run ArtHouse Workshops
Monthly personalized feedback / film critiques
Monthly business growth workshops
A global community of filmmakers sharing tips, wins, and honest advice
Support and feedback whenever you need it
This course alone is valued at $1200 USD, but as a member, you get full access as part of your membership.
* No lock-in contract, cancel anytime.
To get the most out of this course, you’ll need:
• A solid understanding of how to film and edit
• Footage from a family session, or a plan to film during the live run
• Video editing software (we use Premiere Pro, but any editor is fine)
• A willingness to practice, experiment, and push yourself creatively
What You’ll Need:
You’ll re-edit (or create) a story-driven family film using what you’ve learned.
You’ll submit two versions:
• First Cut: Due 3/4 November
• Final Edit: Due 11/12 November
🎉 All submitted films will be included in our student showcase, with awards selected by Courtney & Kylie:
• Most Improved
• Best Story
• Most Emotional
• Best Overall Film
Your Final Project:
Student Films:
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Start by grounding yourself in the why behind family films. You’ll explore why this work matters, how different formats shape story, and how your unique voice and perspective bring films to life. This is where you begin to see that your way of noticing is what makes your work valuable.
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Turn inward discovery into outward connection. This module helps you shape a portfolio that reflects your voice, find families who align with it, curate model calls with intention, and begin charging with confidence. You’ll build a foundation that attracts people who value your way of seeing
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Great films begin long before you press record. In this module, you’ll learn how to ask better questions, prepare families to let go of perfection, and build trust through conversations and consultation calls. You’ll see how questionnaires and real-time observations come together to shape the narrative in the edit
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This is where it all comes alive on camera. You’ll practice the 5-Shot Method, capture master shots that anchor every story, and learn to think like an editor while you shoot. From layering B-roll with intention to using prompts and navigating sessions with toddlers or teens, you’ll discover how to film families in ways that feel natural, rich, and true
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Editing is where your story decisions find their voice. This final module focuses on the why behind your editing choices—how to weave together sound, pacing, and narrative so the final film resonates deeply. It’s about crafting films that move people, not just assembling clips.
Course Outline:
Ready to tell stories that move people?
This isn’t film school.
It’s not another random YouTube tutorial.
It’s a guided journey into storytelling—designed for family photographers and self-taught filmmakers who are ready to create films that families will treasure for a lifetime.
Join the Live Run today and start creating story-driven family films that feel like you.
By the end of this course you’ll:
Create films that feel unmistakably yours
Build trust with families who value your work
Confidently guide sessions that uncover real stories
Edit with intention, weaving hear into every decision
Have a final project—a film that reflects your unique voice and perspective.