Our Photo Tips online talk series offer a safe digital learning environment for the photography community worldwide. These sessions provide insight, inspiration, and open dialogue with industry professionals and creative community members.

For this Photo Tips talk, we are inviting Sarah Williams and Mimi Gray, co-founders and directors of Darklight to help you navigate the complex world of image usage and licensing.

From day rates through to the complexities of usage, Sarah and Mimi will cover the basics of knowing how to charge clients for your work. They will discuss tips on how to negotiate your fees, treading that fine line between getting paid fairly and not alienating potential clients. Lastly, they will also cover the usage glossary of terms and how to license existing work as a way to generate a passive income stream.

⁉️ What will be covered

• Know your day rate
• The basics of usage
• Negotiating & pricing
• Licensing basics
• Types of licenses

👆About the Organisers

Sarah Williams and Mimi Gray are power-house art buyers who commission photography for some of the world’s biggest brands, including Nike, Virgin, Google & Hennessy. Together, they have curated exhibitions for internationally-renowned artists both in AR & IRL, have sat on the board of the Association of Photographers, judged awards, spoken on panels and at festivals including the main stage at Cannes Lions. They have also made a couple of appearances on Sky TV & BBC, most notably judging the Great British Photography Challenge alongside acclaimed photographer Rankin. To date, Darklight has worked with over 500 independent artists & photographers to advise on their careers and portfolios. They recently built an online community platform, Darklight Pro: a space for photographers who want more insight, connection and tools to grow. With expert-led talks, real industry guidance and essential resources like pricing templates and client pitch decks, they provide the structure and hands-on support photographers need. 

The Photography Foundation was created to provide pathways to professional photography for less advantaged young adults in London by offering education, practical experience, and routes to a career in the creative industries. The Photography Foundation acknowledges that commercial photography can be a stressful career and feel isolating at times. Our events are intended to promote wellbeing and the importance of making time for inspiration and creativity in your practice in order to maintain a sustainable career.

Our six-month commercial photography Training Programme provides a supportive and inspiring environment where people aged 18-25 years old to take their professional photography skills to the next level, develop a commercially-focused portfolio tailored to their career goals, and grow their independent voice whilst gaining practical experience. More info about the training programme here.

📸 Photo Tips Online Talks FAQs

🎯 What Are Photo Tips Online Talks?

The Photo Tips Online Talk Series is a safe learning space for photographers of all experience levels. Hosted by The Photography Foundation, these one-hour virtual sessions feature guest speakers from across the creative and photographic industries.

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, our talks offer a chance to:

• Learn new photography techniques and career tips
  

• Understand image licensing and brand pitching
  

• Hear firsthand insights from professionals in the industry
  

• Ask questions and engage in open discussion
  

📅 Topics for 2025–2026

We host six online sessions per year, each one focusing on a new theme or skill, such as Fashion Week photography, image usage and licensing, practical tips on pitching to brands and magazines, and more.

👥 Who Can Join?

• Age: Open to anyone aged 16+
  

• Experience Level: All levels welcome — from total beginners to professional photographers!

🎟️ Tickets & Cost

• Pay What You Can - Suggested donation: £3 per session
• Can’t pay right now? No problem — enter £0 at checkout to join for free.

As a registered charity, your contributions help support our mission: using photography as a tool to drive positive social change and fight poverty.

💻 How to Join

1. Book your ticket via our Ticket Tailor event page.
   

2. Receive a confirmation email with the Zoom link.
   

📹 Recording

Can’t make it? Register anyway and we’ll send you the recording afterwards. The Q&A of the session will not be publicly shared, nor any faces, or comments from the participants.

📧 Accessibility

• If you have any accessibility requirements or questions please email Events@thephotographyfoundation.org

Image credits: @Darklight 

Sarah Williams - Darklight Founder // Director

Mimi Gray - Darklight Founder // Director