Find joy & freedom in your photography again

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summer murdock
introducing

The Creative Return

Starts October 1st 2026

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A six-month program for artists longing to return to making work that feels alive

At its core, The Creative Return is an artist collective — a space where photographers can gather, step out of perfection and performance, and reconnect with the part of themselves that makes art.

Guided by Summer Murdock and Bec Griffiths, each month centers around a Guest Artist's work. Members are invited to respond by creating work of their own, inspired by the artist's practice, process, and way of seeing.

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What to expect

A gentle and safe space to be inspired by art, discuss art, create art, share art and focus on making.

The Creative Return invites you to rediscover making work that feels messy, imperfect and ALIVE.

Right now—maybe more than ever—It feels important that artists have spaces to gather, to share how they actually work, and to inspire each other from that place.

A supportive space

Summer and Bec are your hosts and companions through all six months — leading the community meetings, holding space in the collective, and gently rekindling your creative fire.

Collaborative Energy

Accountability

Monthly assignments, gentle deadlines, and a group that's expecting you — the kind of framework that turns "I should really make something" into actually making something. You don't have to find the discipline on your own. The rhythm is built in to The Creative Return.

A peek behind the work

Technique has its place here — but it's not the whole focus. Each Guest Artist opens up their actual practice: the story behind the images, how ideas take shape, what the messy middle really looks like. It's the kind of access and perspective you can't get from just looking at their work.

Expert Inspiration

Each month an inspiring Guest Artist joins the collective twice: through their in-depth recorded interview at the start of the month, and then live for a Q&A with members of The Creative Return near the end of the month.

Intentional Structure

Each month is divided into 5 parts:

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Your invitation to create work that feels free, bold & deeply your own

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Inside the community

The community isn't a bonus feature of The Creative Return — it is The Creative Return. Beyond the monthly content, here's what's waiting for you inside:

Real help when you're stuck.

In our live Community Meetings, Summer and Bec will look at member work — not to critique or grade it, but to help you work through problems. Stuck on where a project is going? Can't figure out why an image isn't landing? Bring it. We'll untangle it together.

Discussions and challenges.

Between the monthly assignments, ongoing conversations and creative challenges keep the momentum going — small sparks to keep you shooting, thinking, and talking about the work.

Friendship.

Not followers. Not an audience. Actual creative friendships with people who get it — the kind that outlast the program. People craving a community outside of social media can find their people here.

I"M IN 
Each month follows an

Intentional structure

Inspiration

At the start of every month, an in-depth video interview exploring a Guest Artist's practice is released alongside a creative assignment inspired by their work. Hosted by Summer and Bec, each hour-long interview goes deep — the artist shares their work, insights into their creative practice, and a behind-the-scenes look at their process: the story behind the images, not just the images themselves.

Guest Artists are still being finalised but include xxxxx

Response

Collective members spend the first weeks of the month exploring their own creative response to the assignment. Written prompts and guidance are included, but you're encouraged to work intuitively — there's no right answer, and no one is grading you. Follow what pulls at you.

Check in

Each month, a Live Community Meeting is held with Summer or Bec. These sessions are a chance to share progress, workshop ideas, and get help with whatever you're wrestling with — a project that's stalled, an image that isn't landing, a block you can't name. This isn't critique; it's problem-solving, together.

Conversation

Towards the end of each month, the featured Guest Artist joins us for a live, hour-long Q&A where collective members can ask questions about their work and gain further insight into the artist's creative practice.

Share

At the end of each month collective members will be invited to share their final creative response.

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one payment

$550

One payment for the full 6-month program

OR

This includes:

  • 6 months of access to The Creative Return

  • 6 In Depth Guest Artist Interviews

  • 6 LIVE Q&A sessions with Guest Artists

  • A community space to share your work

  • 6 Community Meetings with Summer / Bec

Space is limited

Guest Artists are still being finalised but will include xxxxxxxx. sales page needs to be clear no refunds / cancellations
Learn more
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payment plan

$100

Per month for 6 months on payment plan

(total $600)

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The Creative Return is perfect for you if

  • You’re craving a community outside of social media

  • You’re seeking inspiration from compelling and established artists

  • You’re still hungry to create but haven't been able to find a path (back) in

  • You desire to create work that feels fresh and honest

  • You’ve focused so much on creating for others that you’ve forgotten how to create for yourself

  • You’re seeking accountability and know that somegtimes a deadline is the gentle kick up the butt you need

I'M IN

  • Summer doesn't hold back in sharing herself, her knowledge and her experience with students. She has an incredible ability to create a safe space where all questions and comments are welcomed.

    Brooke

  • "Bec is an absolute fountain of knowledge and she delivers it in a way that is specific to the students’ needs, approachable, and never belittling. "

    Elizabeth

  • "Summer gives you permission in response to your own doubt to find beauty in the ways that others are avoiding. "

    Samantha

  • “Bec is a phenomenal instructor. She is so personable and the time and energy she puts into into each student is invaluable. I will forever be grateful for Bec and all I learned from her!”

    Brooke

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FAQs.

If your question isn’t answered here - please email us at info@illuminateclasses.com

  • The Creative Return starts 1st October 2026 and will run through until March 30th 2027

  • All live sessions will be recorded so you can watch any that you miss

  • Both artists xxxxx

  • NO

  • Item description 
Space is limited

Book Your Place Now

Register

This is your invitation to create work that feels free, bold & deeply your own.