soulful storytellers
learn to craft birth stories through film
A mentorship-led community for photographers and filmmakers creating HEARTFELT birth STORIES and documentary keepsake FILMS.
Through guided pathways and mentorship, storytellers learn the craft of birth videography, documentary filmmaking, and emotive storytelling for life’s most meaningful beginnings.
the soulful storytellers approach
Rooted in documentary filmmaking and years of real-world birth work, Soulful Storytellers supports creatives stepping into film or refining their storytelling craft.
This is not content overload or trend-driven filmmaking. It is an apprenticeship-style approach built for storytellers who value connection, authenticity, and emotional depth.
Guided learning pathways, mentorship conversations, and a thoughtful creative community provide the space to develop both technical skill and storytelling voice.
who is this for?
Soulful Storytellers IS FOR YOU IF:
You’re a birth photographer curious about film, or already filming and wanting depth
You value documentary storytelling and cinematic filmmaking
You want mentorship and thoughtful guidance, not just online modules
You are building a sustainable creative practice with long-term vision
This may not be the right fit if:
You’re looking for shortcuts or formulas
You prefer trend-driven filmmaking
You are not ready to invest time in reflection, practice, and creative growth
meaningful storytelling develops through inspiration, learning, practice, and reflection.
A journey THAT unfolds over time.
the soulful storytellers journey
These stages support filmmakers as their craft and creative voice continue to evolve.
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discover
Insights, education, and storytelling inspiration.
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learn the craft
Foundations, Advanced, and Signature learning pathways.
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practice & grow
Community conversations, shared work, and creative development.
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refine your voice
Guidance, critique, and deeper storytelling support.
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celebrate growth
A yearly gathering honouring completed student films.
every storyteller arrives at filmmaking from a different place in their creative journey
Our pathways meet you there
explore the storytelling pathways
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SSBV Foundations
Learn the essentials of birth videography and begin exploring filmmaking with a guided, self-paced introduction.
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SSBV Advanced
Deepen your documentary storytelling skills and complete a guided storytelling project with mentorship support.
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SSBV Signature
The complete apprenticeship experience combining Foundations, Advanced, community access, and twelve months of mentorship.
Still from the award-winning birth film The Birth of Finn
learning from working storytellers
Soulful Storytellers was founded by documentary filmmakers Dania and Andrew, whose combined experience spans more than three decades of filmmaking and storytelling.
Over the past decade they have helped pioneer filmmaking within the birth space, creating documentary birth films for families while advocating for thoughtful, story-driven approaches to birth videography.
Soulful Storytellers is a natural continuation of that work. It brings together their background in documentary filmmaking, years of real birth experience, and a passion for mentoring the next generation of storytellers.
Today that work continues through filmmaking, mentorship, and the annual Soulful Storytellers Film Festival, where completed student films are celebrated within the wider storytelling community.
continue the journey inside soulful studio
Real creative growth rarely happens in isolation
Soulful Studio is our private mentorship and creative community where storytellers stay connected as their work and creative voice continue to evolve. It is a place to share ideas, receive guidance, and remain connected with a global community of filmmakers committed to meaningful storytelling.
mentorship for storytellers
For filmmakers seeking deeper guidance, mentorship provides space for focused feedback, project critique, and creative conversation.
Mentorship is available for storytellers refining their voice and developing meaningful documentary work.
what others are saying…
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Jenn Storey
Dania & Andrew are incredible at teaching videography by making it simple and easy to understand. I never thought I could produce a beautiful high quality video but they held my hand every step of the way and were a blast to work with.
Documentary Filmmaking Student 2013
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Chris DeSouza
“Dania and Andrew not only have the spark and passion needed to launch unique and ambitious projects - they also have the skill and tenacity to get it done and exceed expectations every time. As an audio specialist, when I’m handed one of their projects for mix I’m consistently blown away and charmed by their work. Not to mention they make my work very easy.”
Sound Engineer
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Richa Wardroper
“Dania has the most radiant energy and I instantly felt a special connection with her. She was able to capture some very raw moments before we went into the surgery room and moments of my husband—his nerves, his way of dealing with what was coming ahead, ooh it was just beautiful.”
Lauren + Douglas — Birth Client
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Ebony Allen-Ankins
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.
SSBV Beta Student 2023
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Hannah Palamara
“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 Beta Student 2023
