bring your stories to life!

After completing the SSBV course and storytelling project you'll be able to...

  • Film intentionally

    Research, conceptualize and write treatments for your birth stories so that you can film intentionally.

  • FILM WITH CONFIDENCE

    Choose the right equipment and execute production strategies that enable you to confidently film in run and gun situations.

  • Harness audio & visual storytelling

    Harness the full potential of audio-visual storytelling to create immersive birth films with all the feels!

  • Produce engaging films

    Apply fundamental storytelling principles and techniques to produce dynamic and engaging birth films.

  • Critique & Problem solve

    Review and critique your own work and receive feedback from others in order to problem solve and hone your storytelling skills.

  • DELIVER POLISHED FILMS

    Use audio mixing, colour grading and titles to produce polished birth films you'll be proud to deliver to your clients.

create engaging films with confidence

Want to elevate your storytelling and deliver birth films that match the quality of your photography?

The rise in popularity of video due to social media channels has made filmmaking an essential skill for business. Many birth photographers see the potential of audio-visual storytelling. They may have the tools and know how to pick up the basics, but gaining the same level mastery in filmmaking they are used to as photographers can take years—but it doesn't have too!

In our comprehensive online course ‘Soulful Storytelling for Birth Videographers’ (SSBV) we tackle the typical technical challenges filmmakers face in the birth space—but perhaps more importantly we do a deep dive into the art of soulful storytelling.

Drawing from over 30 years of combined experience in documentary filmmaking as well as years of experience training and mentoring up and coming filmmakers we introduce students to a production process that unlocks a world of creative possibilities and guide students step-by-step through our storytelling workflow. This project based learning provides students with the opportunity to develop their technical skills, explore their own creative expression and put into practice techniques, strategies and problem solving skills learnt throughout the course.

If you want to craft bespoke birth films you’ll be proud to deliver to your clients without spending years at film school—SSBV is the course for you! But don't just take our word for it, check out what students are saying about their SSBV experience!

Heidi Daniels

DC Birth Photography

Thank you for such a great course. It was so thorough and the content you created was so in-depth, but also your availability to us throughout to talk over whatever questions came up. That level of availability, I don't think I've ever had with any other online course, and I've done a lot. So I feel like that was a big differentiator.

I knew that this was the year I wanted to take my films to the next level. My husband watched something of mine just recently, and he was like, "Wow, this is so different than it used to be like a year ago—you've really done it. You've accomplished your goal of moving to this new level." And I feel that way too. I feel like I know, as I'm filming, how I'm going to be putting this story together. Instead of just hoping that I get enough footage to make a cohesive story later—now I see it unfolding in my mind.

My organisation and editing process is much more streamlined now, which is great because I have four films in my queue. And I feel like I can get through them and I know what I'm doing. It's all really exciting. So thank you!

Meet the instructors

[Dania] Lauren+ [Andrew] Douglas

Hi, we're Dania and Andrew and we're a husband and wife team with over 30 years of combined experience in the field of documentary filmmaking and storytelling. Our core business 'Lauren + Douglas' offers artisan brand and lifestyle storytelling however crafting bespoke documentary-style birth films is our speciality.

Dania is the woman behind the lens when it comes to all things birth and is a multi-award winning photographer and videographer, recognised as one of the most influential birth videographers in Australia and worldwide. When he’s not wrangling our 4 kiddos you’ll find Andrew spearheading the development of the SSBV course and Soulful Storytellers community.

We’re both passionate about provoking a reimagining of birth films and are excited about helping fellow creatives elevate their storytelling craft in the process!

Birth Videographer of the Year Awards 2022

Dania Lauren — Lauren + Douglas Photography and Films

  • Birth Videographer of the Year 2022 Gold Award 'The Birth of Finn'
  • Birth Videographer of the Year—Second Place

SSBV course preview

Click on the headings below to preview topics covered in each module

    1. Get to Know Your Equipment Overview

    2. Camera Equipment—Birth Filmmakers Kit Essentials

    3. Audio Equipment—Optimise the Quality of Your Audio Recording

    4. Camera Operation—Video Related Camera Settings

    5. Lighting Solutions—Filming in Low Light and Fixing Banding

    6. Test Your Learning—Content Review

    1. The Importance of Conducting Research

    2. Taking Stock—Fostering a Curiosity to Learn More About Your Story

    3. Strategic Research—Optimising Your Workflow

    4. Frame Your Research—Covering the Full Depth of the Story

    5. Scouting Locations

    6. Storytelling Project—Next Steps

    7. Project Workbook: Conducting Research

    8. Project Workbook: Frame Your Research

    9. Test Your Learning—Content Review

    1. Conceptualisation Overview

    2. What is a Birth Film?

    3. Documentary Formats

    4. Themes & Threads

    5. Establishing Your Style / Look & Feel

    6. Next Steps—Identify Formats, Themes, Threads and Style in Case Studies

Course includes:

  • 120 lessons
  • 18+ hours of training videos
  • Integrated storytelling project/workbook
  • Downloadable resources

what do you get?

All three bundles of SSBV III (core, plus & Elevate) include...

  • Video Lessons

    Recently updated and streamlined video lesson giving students the flexibility to work through 18+ hours of course content at their own pace!

  • Integrated Storytelling project

    Put the skills, techniques and strategies you learn into practice as we guide you step-by-step through your own storytelling project designed to simulate some of the content and challenges you are likely to face in the birth space.

  • Downloadable & Printable Resources

    Save time as you progress through the storytelling project by using our tailor-made learning supports such as downloadable project workbooks, templates and printable resources.

  • Case Studies

    Get a glimpse behind the scenes into the making of award winning birth film 'The Birth of Finn'. Gain insight into the creative process and decision making that went into forming an engaging and immersive audio visual experience with all the feels!

  • Ongoing community

    Our exclusive Facebook group and group chat is the place to keep up on course announcements, join course driven discussion and reimagine birth filmmaking with like minded creatives as we explore provoking articles, quotes, posts, case studies.

  • Film Fest Submission

    Showcase your finished storytelling project with our community and celebrate the completion SSBV at our annual Film Fest celebration!

looking for more?

select our SSBV plus or elevate bundle to access additional mentorship + resources such as...

  • Monthly Group Mentorship

    A great opportunity for students to ask questions and seek feedback from our instructors and also deepen connections with like-minded birth videographers within SSBV community.

    Plus + Elevate members

  • Exclusive Mentorship

    Two hours of mentorship credit, redeemable for any of or L+D mentorship sessions. Book project critiques, a co-edit, colour grade with me session or exclusive filmmaking Q&A—the choice is yours!

    Elevate members only

  • Resource Library

    Enjoy ongoing access to our expanding collection of resources and training created specifically for birth videographers!

    Elevate members only

what students are saying

reflections from our SSBV23 and Beta students

“It’s been incredible. I felt like I was doing the same thing over and over again, telling the same story. And doing this course has helped me to think outside the box—tell stories in a unique way. You really did not leave any stone unturned. There was just so much information. If we had questions, you guys were happy to answer them. I loved that. We had that group chat and we could flick you a message and everybody was able to help out and I had a real sense of community. I loved every part of the course.”

“I knew that this was the year I wanted to take my films to the next level. My husband watched something of mine just recently, and he was like, wow, this is so different compared to your films a year ago—you’ve really done it! You’ve accomplished your goal of moving to this new level. And I feel that way too. I feel like I know as I’m filming how I’m going to be putting this story together. Instead of just sort of hoping that I get enough footage to make a cohesive story later, now I see it unfolding in my mind.”

“This has been an absolutely incredible transformation for me as far as technique goes. I’ve had three births since I started this course with you guys and have been able to feel such a difference in my technique. I really feel like my ability to convey the story that I’m seeing… that the families are experiencing has transformed and become much more of an art for me instead of a desire to be able to convey a story. Now I feel like I actually can. I've been able to take something that was just a desire and turn it into an actual ability.”

“Dania and Andrew are incredibly knowledgeable, creative, and giving of their time and energy. They don't hold anything back, and genuinely want you to succeed. The real diamond is in the editing - Dania is an incredibly skilful storyteller and watching her create in real time, and work with footage that was captured in challenging, unpredictable low-light settings was completely eye opening. I can't say enough good things. If you're thinking about elevating your films to story-driven art - this is the course for you.”

“The Soulful Storytellers for Birth Videographers beta course has been everything I had hoped for and more! I knew I wanted to delve deeper into filmmaking with my somewhat limited videography skills. Seeing Dania’s films always gave me the chills and made me want to create films like that! The course has been so immersive and so full. I am excited to start putting my new skills to the test and to continue my learning as I go through the modules again and dive into film making with a completely new perspective. Thank you so much guys for this experience.”

SSBV Core

ongoing access to SSBV course content, storytelling workflow and community


Course Content
Lessons
(includes 18+ hours of training videos)
$2000
Case studies, assignments & downloadable resources
$200
Integrated storytelling project workbook
(based on our tried and tested storytelling workflow)
$600
Bonuses (for early adopters)
Course & Facebook Community
(ongoing access)

FREE
(Worth $30)
Film Fest submission FREE
(Worth $25)

SSBV plus

ongoing access to SSBV course content, storytelling workflow, online community plus monthly group mentorship sessions


Course Content
Lessons
(includes 18+ hours of training videos)
$2000
Case studies, Assignments & Resources
$200
Integrated storytelling project workbook
(based on our tried and tested storytelling workflow)
$600
Mentorship
Monthly group mentorship sessions
(initial 6 months)
$900
Bonuses (for early adopters)
Facebook community
(ongoing access)
FREE
(Worth $30)
Course wrap up
(1 hour live session)
Free
(Worth $100)
Monthly group mentorship sessions
(ongoing access after initial 6 months)
 FREE
(Worth $150/month)
Additional workflow template for birth videographers
(ongoing access)
 FREE
(Worth $600)
Film Fest submission FREE
(Worth $25)

SSBV elevate (5 seat limit)

Ideal for students serious about fast tracking their birth filmmaking career. The full SSBV experience complete with exclusive mentorship sessions with industry leading birth videographer Lauren + Douglas—5 Seat limit per intake.


Course Content
Lessons
(includes 18+ hours of training videos)
$2000
Case studies, assignments & resources
$200
Integrated storytelling project workbook
(based on our tried and tested storytelling workflow)
$600
Mentorship
Monthly group mentorship sessions
(initial 6 months)
$900
Exclusive mentorship
(2 x 60 min sessions of your choice)
$1000
Bonuses (for early adopters)
Facebook community
(ongoing access)
FREE
(Worth $30)
Course wrap up
(1 hour live session)
FREE
(Worth $100)
Monthly group mentorship sessions
(ongoing access after initial 6 months)
 FREE
(Worth $150/month)
Resource library—Including additional workflow template
(ongoing access)
 FREE
(Worth $1200)
Film Fest submission FREE
(Worth $25)

prerequisites

SSBV is a deep dive into the art of soulful audio-visual storytelling. We've avoided labelling this and advanced filmmaking course however we'll be assuming students have a solid grasp of photography fundamentals.

  • Required Hardware

    DSLR/Mirrorless camera, video mic, laptop or desktop computer.

  • Required Software

    We'll be using the free version of DaVinci Resolve for our editing modules. Feel free to download ahead of time and get familiar with it.

  • Optional Equipment

    Tripod, gimbal, steady-cam, cage, monitor, video light, GoPro / action cam, drone.

FAQs

  • How much time will I need to complete the course lessons and assignments?

    We would recommend allocating at least 60 hours to ensure you get the most out of the SSBV experience.

    Pre-recorded lessons range from 1-2 hours/ module (roughly 18 hours).

    Integrated case studies, camerawork assignments and storytelling project require an additional 1-2 hours/module for the first 8 modules (roughly 10 hours).

    After module 8 the storytelling project transitions into filming and editing which naturally becomes more time intensive. As a guide you could expect to spend 2-5 hours during production and up to 20-30 hours during post-production (roughly 30 hours).

  • What if the group mentorship sessions are scheduled for a time that doesn't work with my schedule or I miss a session?

    All of our live sessions will be recorded and replays with any links/resources related to that session will be archived on your course player (within 72 hours) giving you access to the session content at a time that suits you.

    If you have specific questions you can alway post those in our Soulful Storytellers Facebook community group.

reimagining birth filmmaking

SSBV Promo

July intake sale coming soon!

Only 5 elevate memberships available. Sign up to be the first to know when our cheeky 50% off VIP sale goes live!

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