Breaking Sad News in the Photography World
The legendary photography platform has officially closed the doors
– 3 min read
CreativeLive Shuts Its Doors to New Students After Over a Decade of Industry Impact
May 8, 2025 marked the quiet but monumental end of an era in creative education. CreativeLive, the once-revolutionary online learning platform that empowered millions of photographers, videographers, and creative entrepreneurs, has officially stopped accepting new users.
While existing students retain access to previously purchased classes, no new students can register—effectively ending public access to one of the most robust photography education libraries ever created.
A Platform That Shaped Generations of Creatives
Launched in 2010, CreativeLive revolutionized online learning by bringing real-time, interactive workshops to photographers and creatives around the world. Courses on lighting, posing, business, editing, branding, and beyond were taught by the best in the industry—from household names to rising talents. It became a digital classroom for dreamers and doers.
It wasn’t just content—it was mentorship, inspiration, and access.
From Susan Stripling’s wedding workshops to Lindsay Adler’s fashion lighting breakdowns to Chase Jarvis’s business mindset series, CreativeLive shaped the creative journeys of hundreds of thousands of working artists.
Why Did It Close to New Students?
According to a quiet update shared in April 2025, CreativeLive cited rising operational costs, the increasing demand for bite-sized content, and shifts in the creator economy as reasons for its restructuring. The platform will continue supporting its existing user base, but all new sign-ups and course purchases are now closed.
For the global creative community, the news came as a shock—and a moment of reflection.
The End of an Era: What Photographers Are Saying
Across social media, photography forums, and creative communities, the reaction has been filled with nostalgia, disappointment, and respect:
“This platform taught me everything in my early days.”
“It felt like attending a workshop from your bedroom.”
“So many of us built our businesses with CreativeLive in the background.”
The closure of public access also means that landmark courses—like Sue Bryce’s portrait mastery series, Jasmine Star’s business fundamentals, and Jen Rozenbaum’s Boudoir Bootcamp—can no longer reach new creatives.
It’s a loss felt across genres and experience levels.
A Message from Today’s Educators: Honoring the Legacy
Yuliya Panchenko, international photographer and founder of Believe in Boudoir (a creative education platform for photographers), shared her perspective:
“Before I ever became a professional photographer, I was learning from CreativeLive. That platform didn’t just teach technique—it showed us what was possible. It helped creatives believe in themselves.”
“Today, we’re focused on building the next wave of education that’s fresh, engaging, and community-centered. But we also carry the responsibility to honor where we came from. CreativeLive helped raise a generation of artists. Its legacy lives in our work.”
Where Does Creative Education Go From Here?
The closure marks a major turning point in the photography industry. As platforms like YouTube and boutique learning hubs gain traction, the need for structured, high-quality photography education remains—but is evolving.
Photographers now face a shifting landscape:
- Less access to legacy courses
- More short-form, algorithm-driven learning
- Increased demand for connection, mentorship, and innovation
What’s clear is that CreativeLive’s impact won’t be forgotten. Its absence leaves a gap—but also creates space for the next chapter of creative education to be written.
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Written by
Boudoir Photography Educational Platform
