starts OCTOBER 1st 2026The Creative Return:
Find joy & freedom in your photography again
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.
It feels important right now—maybe more than ever—that artists have spaces to gather, to share how they actually work, and to inspire each other from that place.
What to ExpectA 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.
❋ Intentional StructureEach month is divided into 5 parts: INSPIRATION, RESPONSE, CHECK IN, CONVERSATION, and SHARE.
This is explained in more detail below (ANCHOR LINK NEEDED)
❋ Accountablitly 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.
❋ Collaborative EnergyConnection is a core part of the process. You'll learn just as much from the group as from the content itself. The collective is hosted on the Illuminate Classes platform, allowing for interaction with Summer, Bec, and each other throughout the month — not just during live sessions. Share works in progress, ask questions, and cheer each other on, anytime.
❋ Expert FacilitationSummer 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. Each month's Guest Artist joins the collective twice: through their in-depth recorded interview at the start of the month, and live at the Q&A near the end.
❋ A PEEK BEHIND THE WORKTechnique 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.
❋ A Supportive SpaceThe Creative Return is centered in individuality and respect - so you can show up as you are and fully engage in the process.
The Creative Return is Perfect For
Those who work best when working to a deadline
Photographers whose practice used to be inspired by children that are now grown up
People craving a community outside of social media
Photographers seeking inspiration from compelling and established artists creating work that feels fresh and honest
Artists still hungry to create who haven't been able to find a path in
Photographers who have focused so much on creating for others they've forgotten how to create for themselves
Those who have become experts at caring for everyone except their own creative selves
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.
YOUR INVITATION TO CREATE WORK THAT FEELS FREE, BOLD & DEEPLY YOUR OWN
Each month follows an intentional structure…
1. INSPIRATIONAt 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
2. RESPONSECollective 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.
3. CHECK INEach 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.
4 CONVERSATIONTowards 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.
5. SHAREAt the end of each month collective members will be invited to share their final creative response.
$550
One payment for the full 6-month program
or
$100/month for 6 months on payment plan (total $600)
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
FAQs.
If your question isn’t answered here - please email us at info@illuminateclasses.com
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The Creative Return starts 1st October 2026 and will run through until September 30th 2027
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All live sessions will be recorded so you can watch any that you miss
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Both artists xxxxx
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