Creativity Without Borders
Wherever you are in the world, if you love creating, exploring ideas and discovering new possibilities, Creatives Assemble! is for you.
For quite some time, I've had an idea bubbling away in the back of my mind. Having participated in international creative events over the years, I kept thinking, why not bring together some of the wonderful creative talent we have here in Australia and New Zealand and share it with creatives around the world?
And that's how Creatives Assemble! began. Three creatives, each with a different background, experience and way of seeing the world, coming together to share their work, knowledge and the thinking behind their creations.
From photographic composites and the power of colour in visual storytelling to exploring AI as a creative tool, we'll take you behind the scenes to discover not just what we create, but how and why. Expect creative insights, practical tips, fresh perspectives and the opportunity to ask questions.
Created and Hosted by SandraD Imagery
Creatives Assemble! is an original event created and hosted by SandraD Imagery, bringing together three creative perspectives for an international audience.
Meet the Creatives
Helen - Photographer
Beyond What the Camera Sees
Helen McLeod is a highly respected photographer and educator based in Christchurch, New Zealand. She is a Fellow of the Photographic Society of New Zealand, an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society, and holds a Gold Portfolio Distinction with the Photographic Society of America.
With extensive experience across commercial, portrait, landscape and fine art photography, Helen brings a wealth of practical knowledge and creative expertise to her work.
Having used Photoshop for over 25 years, Helen is passionate about sharing her knowledge through workshops, photographic clubs and individual tuition. Her teaching approach combines patience, practical tips and a genuine enthusiasm for helping others develop their creative skills and confidence.
Lauren - Graphic Designer
Colour is a Creative Decision, Not a Finishing Touch
Lauren Reece is a Graphic Designer and Brand Advisor with more than 20 years' experience across brand, print and digital design. Her career has included brand and creative work within the financial sector, as well as freelance design across a diverse range of clients and projects.
Lauren's approach is grounded in the belief that good design starts with understanding the message and audience, then using visual communication to create a meaningful response.
With a particular interest in colour, imagery and brand expression, she enjoys working within established visual frameworks and finding creative ways to make them feel fresh, relevant and engaging while remaining recognisable.
Sandra - Educator & Digital Artist
AI is a Tool, Imagination is the Creator
Sandra Dann is an Australian digital artist, photographer, educator and owner of SandraD Imagery.
With over 15 years of Photoshop experience, she combines photography, digital assets and AI to create imaginative compositions that challenge reality.
An Adobe Community Expert and Adobe Top Evangelist 2025, Sandra shares her knowledge with creatives worldwide through workshops, presentations and mentoring.
Her creative approach is driven by curiosity, experimentation and the belief that imagination and creative thinking are just as important as the tools we use.
What We'll Explore
HELEN MCLEOD · PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPOSITES
Beyond What the Camera Sees
What if photography was about more than simply recording reality? In this thought-provoking and visually inspiring presentation, photographer Helen McLeod explores the creative world of composite photography and how it transforms the way we see our surroundings.
Moving beyond technical techniques, this talk examines imagination, visual storytelling, inspiration, light, and the art of seeing possibilities where others see ordinary objects.
Whether you're curious about composites or simply looking to unlock new creative ways of seeing, this presentation offers a fascinating journey into photography beyond reality.
LAUREN REECE · COLOUR & VISUAL STORYTELLING
Colour is a Creative Decision, Not a Finishing Touch
Colour is a Creative Decision, Not a Finishing Touch explores how colour can influence mood, atmosphere, storytelling and brand recognition, and how these considerations shape my creative decisions as a designer.
I'll share my approach to working with colour—from interpreting a brief and understanding the intended feeling, through to selecting imagery and developing visual concepts.
Rather than presenting colour as a set of fixed rules, I'll share how experience, instinct and purpose influence my decisions and invite attendees to consider how they approach colour within their own creative practise.
SANDRA DANN · AI & CREATIVE COMPOSITING
AI is a Tool, Imagination is the Creator
AI has opened up some exciting possibilities for creative artists, but for me, it's never just about generating an image. It's about what we imagine, the choices we make and how we bring those ideas to life.
In this presentation, I'll share how I use AI alongside Photoshop, photography and digital assets to create imaginative composites. I'll take you behind the scenes of my creative process, from the initial spark of an idea through experimentation, problem-solving and bringing the different elements together.
It's about exploring possibilities, thinking creatively and remembering that the artist is still the one making the decisions.
A Little More About the Event
Creatives Assemble! is being planned as a paid, live online event in March 2027, bringing together three creative presenters from Australia and New Zealand for an international audience.
Each presenter will share their creative approach, insights and practical tips, followed by an opportunity for questions.
We're also planning to record the presentations so participants can revisit the sessions afterwards.
Final dates, pricing and replay arrangements will be confirmed if the event goes ahead.
For now, we're simply gathering expressions of interest — there's no payment or obligation to attend.
Register Your Interest
Thinking of joining us for Creatives Assemble! in March 2027?
We're currently gathering expressions of interest to help us decide whether to go ahead with this live online creative event.
Registering your interest is free, with no obligation to attend or purchase a ticket.
If the event goes ahead, we'll email you with the confirmed details and information about bookings.
This is an expression of interest only, not a confirmed booking.