BRAND NEW CLASS SOLD OUT
BRAND NEW CLASS SOLD OUT
class by summer murdockThe Magic of Motion
Stillness only goes so far. People look most alive when they're moving, and so do photographs.
This hands-on workshop teaches you how to work with movement and blur intentionally. You'll learn how to guide your subjects into authentic motion vs rigid posing, and how to use your camera to capture it. Learn to use slow shutter, motion blur, panning, intentional camera movement, zoom pulls, and even a bit of multiple exposures and tilt shifts, to freeze and blur movement in ways that add life and dreaminess to your images.
COURSE LENGTH4 weeks
class start date11th May 2026
INVESTMENT$300 / $450
Independent / Guided
summer murdock“I used to think sharp meant success. I used to think blur meant I missed the shot. I was wrong.”
Many photographers spend a lot of energy chasing sharpness and believing that following the rules will lead to a “successful” image. The Magic of Motion challenges that idea. In this workshop, photographers learn to get out of their heads and into their bodies, letting go of perfection and learning to create images that feel like dreams.
Yes, the class covers the technical stuff. You learn how to work intentionally with slow shutters, panning, multiple exposure sequences, tilt shifts, and intentional camera movement. But also, explore what happens when the camera and the artist are allowed to move freely.
When someone stands still too long, they tighten. When they move, something opens. The same is true for the artist behind the camera. Movement changes the energy of the person being photographed, and it changes the photographer as well.
For photographers feeling burned out or weighed down by perfection, motion can be a relief. When your identity becomes tied too tightly to getting it “right”, every click of the shutter starts to feel heavy. Blur becomes an act of resistance. It invites experimentation and play, reminding photographers that photography is a practice, not a performance.
In The Magic of Motion, blur and movement are both technical skills and creative catalysts, helping photographers let go and create with presence and freedom.
summer murdockSome of our classes sell out in minutes. Make sure you're prepared.
WATCH BELOW TO SEE HOW REGISTRATION WORKS -
Why soft, imperfect images often feel more emotional and alive than technically perfect ones.
How to guide natural movement instead of rigid posing by getting your subjects moving and into their bodies
How subtle gestures created through movement can bring an image to life
How to combine relative sharpness and blur within the same frame to create images that feel layered and alive.
How to create panning images with the background in motion and the subject in relative focus
How to create intentional camera movement including vertical swipe, spin, zoom pull, and still → move
How to create motion through multiple exposure sequencing
How to experiment with tilt shift and selective focus to create blurry dreamlike feel.
How to use motion as a catalyst when perfectionism or burnout creeps in
A brief exploration of Ken Wilber’s idea that humans develop many kinds of intelligence—including our awareness of the body and our sensitivity to beauty—and how both shape the way we photograph motion.
The surprising history of blur in photography and why softness has always been part of the medium.
Study the work of some master photographers who used blur and motion intentionally to create powerful, expressive images.
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This four-week interactive class will include:
Daily interaction with your teacher answering any questions you might have about the materials presented
Video lessons to supplement each of the written lessons
3 assignments with individual feedback videos for guided students
bonus assignments to help reinforce the lessons
Weekly “office hours” zoom meetings are held where you can ask Summer questions live
an informal, live Q&A where all students in the class will have to opportunity to chat, interact, and ask questions live
The emphasis of this class is to get images right IN camera but Summer will share her simple editing process via some sediting videos
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A DSLR or mirrorless camera and a firm understanding of shooting in manual mode.
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Interactive classes are held online and registration opens seasonally.
Guided students can participate fully in class, by asking questions, submitting assignments, and getting personalized feedback from your teacher.
Independent students have full access to class content and can participate in class discussions —they just don’t get teacher critique and feedback on images or assignments.
“Summer became not only an incredible photography mentor, but someone who made it safe to experiment and even fail. Her encouragement gave me permission to grow.”
Louise Gibbons
MEET THE TEACHER
Summer
Murdock
Hi, I’m Summer. From high-pressure commercial shoots to barefoot days photographing in the water purely for the love of it, I live for the mix of challenge and flow.
While I’m passionate about documenting my own life, it’s lifestyle campaigns for brands that keep the lights on. Since 2013, I’ve been teaching The Magic of Light, and in 2016 I founded this amazing space—now run alongside Bec Griffiths.
I’m endlessly inspired by the quirky things humans do, and by my favorite creative elements: light, water, motion, and Mother Nature.
When I’m not working, you’ll find me outside as much as possible—traveling, exploring, and adventuring with my family and friends, with my camera dangling from my neck of course.
Summer is the founder and co-owner of Illuminate Classes. She has served as an Adobe Lightroom Ambassador, created presets that live inside Lightroom, and her work has appeared in national campaigns for brands including Garmin, Disney, Pillsbury, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Summer is also a sought-after speaker at creative conferences like Adobe MAX.
Any questions? Email your teacher directly here and they will get back to you.
What other students had to say
I enjoyed Summer's class even more than I expected to! She really is a gifted teacher, and truly wants everyone to learn what she knows. She doesn't hold anything back, which is pretty incredible. I think Summer's class is worth every minute and every penny and then some. Even as someone who feels pretty confident as a photographer - there is just so much to learn and absorb. I plan on taking these materials and re-reading and practicing them on a regular basis. I feel I've been given a gift to create better memories of my family - full of life and light. I couldn't ask for anything more really!
TammyHaving taken several college level photography classes, I have to say that I learned more in this class than in any other I have taken. Summer is the only instructor I have ever encountered who can back every technical direction up with a photo to display the outcome. For me, this was so helpful and really married the artistic and technical concepts together in a way that I had not experienced before. I truly feel like I will make better photographs having taken this class.
Alice
Blown away. Hands down, the best photography class I have ever taken. I have spent money on other online classes before, but would leave feeling like I didn't really learn anything new. Not only is Summer an incredible artist, but she is an exceptional teacher. Her love for teaching couldn't be more obvious. If you sign up for this course, you will gain access to her brain & her eyes. She is online daily answering questions, making feedback videos, doing live meetings... she's always there & always interacting with every single student. I feel so much more in touch with my inner artist & I couldn't be more grateful.
Camille
Interactive Class Registration now open
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