Live Virtual Class
Explained: Usage,
Licensing & Copyright
Gain clarity and build confidence about usage and licensing — in one live session.
With Shelly Waldman · Lauren Kress · special guest Rachel Korinek
Overview
Finally understand how to charge for usage —
and feel good about it.
This live class is for photographers who are tired of guessing, googling, or hoping they "got it right" when a client asks for licensing — or better yet, doesn't ask at all.
In 90 minutes together on Zoom, we'll break down usage and licensing in a way that finally makes sense. You'll learn how to think through the different facets that shape a usage license — from print and web, to duration, geography, and exclusivity — and understand how these levers change the value of your work.
You'll walk away with real frameworks you can use in your very next client conversation. Ask questions live, get clarity in real time, and leave feeling grounded.
Is This For You?
You want to feel confident,
not apologetic.
If you've ever felt that knot in your stomach when someone asks for "full buyout" or "work for hire," this is your space to breathe, learn, and get real clarity.
You want to feel confident when you talk about usage — not apologetic, not defensive, and not overwhelmed. You'll be armed with real-world examples and analogies that help you explain your value in a way clients truly get.
No numbers shared, no one-size-fits-all templates — just the knowledge you need to make smart, strategic decisions for your work and your business.
What You'll Learn
Knowledge you can use
in your very next conversation.
Understand the core components of a usage license — duration, geography, exclusivity, media, and scope — and how each one affects the value of your work.
Explain licensing to clients using clear, real-world analogies that make the concept instantly understandable — even for clients who've never licensed a thing.
Evaluate what a client is actually asking for so you can avoid accidental "unlimited rights" and confidently propose terms that match the project.
Use trusted industry resources as guidance for pricing licenses — and understand how to interpret those ranges for your specific job and client.
Structure usage conversations and emails so you can educate clients without over-explaining and guide them toward the right license for their needs.
Negotiate the budget by using usage and licensing as leverage — not as an awkward add-on, but as a core part of your pricing strategy.
What's Included
Your $97 gets you everything.
90-Minute Live Class
Join Shelly and Lauren live on May 12th for a real-time deep-dive into usage, licensing, and copyright. Ask questions, get answers, and learn alongside a small group of photographers.
14-Page PDF Flow Guide
A practical conversation framework for commercial photographers — use it during or immediately before a client call to ask the right questions in the right order and know exactly what to listen for.
Inside the PDF Guide
The five questions that
drive everything.
Your goal on a discovery call isn't to quote a number — it's to understand what the client actually needs. The guide walks you through the exact framework to get there:
"Tell me about the project — what are you making, and who is it for?"
Opens the conversation and tells you the client's world. Company size, agency involvement, and industry are your first pricing signals.
"Where will these images live — website, social, print, packaging, advertising?"
Your media inventory question. A product shot "for the website" often also ends up on Amazon, email, and trade shows. Go through the list methodically.
"Will any of these images be used in paid advertising?" ← The Critical Fork
Above-the-line vs. below-the-line. This single question determines whether you're pricing a standard license or a significantly higher one.
"How long do you need to use these images?"
Duration directly multiplies your licensing fee. Learn how to handle "in perpetuity" requests and the difference between active use and archival rights.
"What region — local, national, worldwide?"
Territory still matters. A regional restaurant campaign is priced very differently than a national CPG brand running globally.
Plus: a Client Language Decoder — so when a client says "all rights," "buyout," "digital rights," or "full usage," you know exactly what to ask next.
Topics Covered
Every concept,
clearly explained.
How to negotiate budget using usage and licensing as leverage
Strategies to protect your creative assets while maximising your earning potential
Copyright basics — how and when to register your work
Key terminology so you can feel confident explaining it to any client
Different approaches to pricing usage licenses — because there's no single right way
The difference between Work for Hire, Buy-Out, and In Perpetuity
How to protect your images and what copyright actually covers
ATL vs. BTL usage — why paid advertising changes everything
Exclusivity, third-party use, and AI/machine learning rights
Exclusive Offer for Attendees
Want to go deeper? We've got you.
At the end of the live class, you'll have the opportunity to upgrade to the full Creative Camp Basecamp Bundle — and your $97 class fee will be applied toward the cost. It's a natural next step if you want everything in one place: the recordings, the resources, and the full framework for running a sustainable photography business.
What Photographers Are Saying
Real results from
real conversations.
Holy cow… there were so many good things. I spent about 4 hours pausing, re-listening, taking notes, really in an effort to understand this a little bit more. Beyond helpful at this point.
I just sent off my first license agreement and it felt quite rewarding and professional. Now I know for sure I am protected — I have something to make sure it doesn't happen again.
The two deals I landed were really configured with your usage class in mind. I feel so prepared now moving forward.
Your Hosts
Two photographers who've
been in that conversation.
Shelly Waldman
California + London
Commercial photographer specialising in food and lifestyle, and founder of Creative Camp. Shelly brings a rare analytical and creative perspective — guiding photographers on finances, operations, and entrepreneurship.
Lauren Kress
Atlanta + Traveling
Commercial photographer and videographer with seventeen years in the industry, specialising in food and lifestyle. Board member for APA Atlanta, podcaster, and coach passionate about cultivating community.
Join us live on
Tuesday, May 12th.
Spots are limited to keep this intimate and interactive. Grab yours and walk into your next licensing conversation with total confidence.
📅 Tuesday, May 12th · 9:00 – 10:30am PT · Live on Zoom
Reserve My Spot — $97
14-page PDF guide included · Instant confirmation · Zoom link sent via email
Overview
Finally understand how to charge for usage —
and feel good about it.
This live class is for photographers who are tired of guessing, googling, or hoping they "got it right" when a client asks for licensing — or better yet, doesn't ask at all.
In 90 minutes together on Zoom, we'll break down usage and licensing in a way that finally makes sense. You'll learn how to think through the different facets that shape a usage license — from print and web, to duration, geography, and exclusivity — and understand how these levers change the value of your work.
You'll walk away with real frameworks you can use in your very next client conversation. Ask questions live, get clarity in real time, and leave feeling grounded.
Is This For You?
You want to feel confident,
not apologetic.
If you've ever felt that knot in your stomach when someone asks for "full buyout" or "work for hire," this is your space to breathe, learn, and get real clarity.
You want to feel confident when you talk about usage — not apologetic, not defensive, and not overwhelmed. You'll be armed with real-world examples and analogies that help you explain your value in a way clients truly get.
No numbers shared, no one-size-fits-all templates — just the knowledge you need to make smart, strategic decisions for your work and your business.
What You'll Learn
Knowledge you can use
in your very next conversation.
Understand the core components of a usage license — duration, geography, exclusivity, media, and scope — and how each one affects the value of your work.
Explain licensing to clients using clear, real-world analogies that make the concept instantly understandable — even for clients who've never licensed a thing.
Evaluate what a client is actually asking for so you can avoid accidental "unlimited rights" and confidently propose terms that match the project.
Use trusted industry resources as guidance for pricing licenses — and understand how to interpret those ranges for your specific job and client.
Structure usage conversations and emails so you can educate clients without over-explaining and guide them toward the right license for their needs.
Negotiate the budget by using usage and licensing as leverage — not as an awkward add-on, but as a core part of your pricing strategy.
What's Included
Your $97 gets you everything.
90-Minute Live Class
Join Shelly and Lauren live on May 12th for a real-time deep-dive into usage, licensing, and copyright. Ask questions, get answers, and learn alongside a small group of photographers.
14-Page PDF Flow Guide
A practical conversation framework for commercial photographers — use it during or immediately before a client call to ask the right questions in the right order and know exactly what to listen for.
30 day replay
Rewatch, stop and take notes for 30 days.
Inside the PDF Guide
The five questions that
drive everything.
Your goal on a discovery call isn't to quote a number — it's to understand what the client actually needs. The guide walks you through the exact framework to get there:
"Tell me about the project — what are you making, and who is it for?"
Opens the conversation and tells you the client's world. Company size, agency involvement, and industry are your first pricing signals.
"Where will these images live — website, social, print, packaging, advertising?"
Your media inventory question. A product shot "for the website" often also ends up on Amazon, email, and trade shows. Go through the list methodically.
"Will any of these images be used in paid advertising?" ← The Critical Fork
Above-the-line vs. below-the-line. This single question determines whether you're pricing a standard license or a significantly higher one.
"How long do you need to use these images?"
Duration directly multiplies your licensing fee. Learn how to handle "in perpetuity" requests and the difference between active use and archival rights.
"What region — local, national, worldwide?"
Territory still matters. A regional restaurant campaign is priced very differently than a national CPG brand running globally.
Plus: a Client Language Decoder — so when a client says "all rights," "buyout," "digital rights," or "full usage," you know exactly what to ask next.
Topics Covered
Every concept,
clearly explained.
How to negotiate budget using usage and licensing as leverage
Strategies to protect your creative assets while maximising your earning potential
Copyright basics — how and when to register your work
Key terminology so you can feel confident explaining it to any client
Different approaches to pricing usage licenses — because there's no single right way
The difference between Work for Hire, Buy-Out, and In Perpetuity
How to protect your images and what copyright actually covers
ATL vs. BTL usage — why paid advertising changes everything
Exclusivity, third-party use, and AI/machine learning rights
Exclusive Offer for Attendees
Want to go deeper? We've got you.
At the end of the live class, you'll have the opportunity to upgrade to the full Creative Camp Basecamp Bundle — and your $97 class fee will be applied toward the cost. It's a natural next step if you want everything in one place: the recordings, the resources, and the full framework for running a sustainable photography business.
What Photographers Are Saying
Real results from
real conversations.
Holy cow… there were so many good things. I spent about 4 hours pausing, re-listening, taking notes, really in an effort to understand this a little bit more. Beyond helpful at this point.
I just sent off my first license agreement and it felt quite rewarding and professional. Now I know for sure I am protected — I have something to make sure it doesn't happen again.
The two deals I landed were really configured with your usage class in mind. I feel so prepared now moving forward.
Your Hosts
Two photographers who've
been in that conversation.
Shelly Waldman
California + London
Commercial photographer specialising in food and lifestyle, and founder of Creative Camp. Shelly brings a rare analytical and creative perspective — guiding photographers on finances, operations, and entrepreneurship.
Lauren Kress
Atlanta + Traveling
Commercial photographer and videographer with seventeen years in the industry, specialising in food and lifestyle. Board member for APA Atlanta, podcaster, and coach passionate about cultivating community.
Join us live on
Monday, May 12th.
Spots are limited to keep this intimate and interactive. Grab yours and walk into your next licensing conversation with total confidence.
📅 Monday, May 12th · 9:00 – 10:30am PT · Live on Zoom
Reserve My Spot — $97
14-page PDF guide included · Instant confirmation · Zoom link sent via email
Inside the PDF Guide
The five questions that
drive everything.
Your goal on a discovery call isn't to quote a number — it's to understand what the client actually needs. The guide walks you through the exact framework to get there:
"Tell me about the project — what are you making, and who is it for?"
Opens the conversation and tells you the client's world. Company size, agency involvement, and industry are your first pricing signals.
"Where will these images live — website, social, print, packaging, advertising?"
Your media inventory question. A product shot "for the website" often also ends up on Amazon, email, and trade shows. Go through the list methodically.
"Will any of these images be used in paid advertising?" ← The Critical Fork
Above-the-line vs. below-the-line. This single question determines whether you're pricing a standard license or a significantly higher one.
"How long do you need to use these images?"
Duration directly multiplies your licensing fee. Learn how to handle "in perpetuity" requests and the difference between active use and archival rights.
"What region — local, national, worldwide?"
Territory still matters. A regional restaurant campaign is priced very differently than a national CPG brand running globally.
Plus: a Client Language Decoder — so when a client says "all rights," "buyout," "digital rights," or "full usage," you know exactly what to ask next.
Topics Covered
Every concept,
clearly explained.
How to negotiate budget using usage and licensing as leverage
Strategies to protect your creative assets while maximising your earning potential
Copyright basics — how and when to register your work
Key terminology so you can feel confident explaining it to any client
Different approaches to pricing usage licenses — because there's no single right way
The difference between Work for Hire, Buy-Out, and In Perpetuity
How to protect your images and what copyright actually covers
ATL vs. BTL usage — why paid advertising changes everything
Exclusivity, third-party use, and AI/machine learning rights
What Photographers Are Saying
Real words from
real students.
Holy cow… there were so many good things. I spent about 4 hours pausing, re-listening, taking notes, really in an effort to understand this a little bit more. Beyond helpful at this point.
I just sent off my first license agreement and it felt quite rewarding and professional. Now I know for sure I am protected — I have something to make sure it doesn't happen again.
The two deals I landed were really configured with your usage class in mind. I feel so prepared now moving forward.
Your Hosts
Three photographers who've
been in that conversation.
Shelly Waldman
California + London
Commercial photographer specialising in food and lifestyle, and founder of Creative Camp. Shelly brings a rare analytical and creative perspective — guiding photographers on finances, operations, and entrepreneurship.
Lauren Kress
Atlanta + Puerto Rico + Beyond
Commercial photographer and videographer with seventeen years in the industry, specialising in food and lifestyle. Board member for APA Atlanta, podcaster, and coach passionate about cultivating community.
Rachel Korinek
Toranto, Canada
Professional food + beverage photographer based in Toronto, Canada. With roots in Australia, known for her striking use of light and colour and founder of Two Loves Studio. .
Join us live on
Monday, May 12th.
Grab your ticket to licensing confidence.
📅 Monday, May 12th · 9:00 – 10:30am PT · Live on Zoom