Rook Barber Photography — Client Guide
Client Guide & Investment Overview

There are many ways to artfully
capture a perfect series of images.

The most memorable ones tend to begin with a willingness to invest in the best possible version of what you envision. For many, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience — and the images should feel that way long after.

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This is a completely
customizable experience.

See something you don't resonate with? Change it. This overview is meant to give you all of the information — so there are no surprises — while also arming you with the knowledge to make the most educated decisions possible. Not only for this session, but for every session you pursue with any photographer, for years to come.

How We Work Together

01
Reach Out

Tell me what you're looking to have created — the feeling, the purpose, the moment. Come with a general budget. That's your starting point.

02
Consultation Call

We connect, talk through details, and I build a custom quote around exactly what you want. Questions welcome. No pressure.

03
Book Your Session

Secure your date by paying the session fee. Paying the full quote upfront may unlock additional perks and bonus images.

Sessions Start at $500

Every session includes the following — regardless of your investment level.

Charleston Residents & College Students
Local Perks
Charleston Residents

Based in the Charleston, SC area? You may qualify for a local session rate starting at $350. Just mention it when you reach out.

Charleston College Students

College student in Charleston? Ask about exclusive Urban Adventure packages built specifically for you — starting at $250. Just mention it when you reach out.

Every Session Includes

The Images
Your Choice of Foundational Package
Option B
9 Fully Retouched Images
1–2 Editing Phases  ·  $45–$65 per image
You'll select your preferred base at the time of booking. During your consultation, I'll help guide you toward which edit tier is the right fit for what you're creating — and how to get the most out of your investment. Additional images, edit tiers, and perks are added based on your investment level.
Included With Every Session

&

A Fully Directed Session

You'll be guided through every moment. Direction, posing, and presence — that's my job. You just have to show up.

1 Outfit

Your session is built around one curated look. Additional outfit changes may be discussed during your consultation.

Pre-Session Prep Guide

Sent before your shoot — wardrobe direction, what to expect on the day, and how to prepare so you arrive confident.

Image Review Gallery

After your session, you'll receive a professional online proof gallery — a curated selection of your images presented for review. For Fully Retouched and Mastered sessions, this is where you choose which images get retouched and delivered.

Final Image Delivery Gallery

Your completed, edited images are delivered through a private, professional online gallery — built for a seamless download and viewing experience.

Personal Use License

All delivered images are licensed for personal, non-commercial use — social media, personal printing, and personal display.

What experiences are available
with my budget?

The ranges below are a general guide — not exact quotes. Every session is priced individually around your specific vision, image count, edit tier, and creative scope. Hair, makeup, and wardrobe styling are always independent services priced by the individual vendor.

Tap any range to expand

Around $500
Standard Session Fee

Your session fee gets you one location, one outfit, your choice of foundational image package, and a fully directed experience from start to finish. Clean, intentional, and personal — a real session built around a real moment.

  • 1 location
  • 1 outfit
  • Your choice of 5 Mastered Images or 9 Fully Retouched Images
  • Professional Image Review Gallery & Final Image Delivery Gallery
  • Pre-Session Prep Guide
Session Styles Available
Wanderlust Urban Adventure Swim Sessions
Around $750–$999
Greater Package Customization & Variety in Looks & Locations

At this range your session begins to expand — more images, more variety in looks and locations, and access to studio environments. This is where many specialty sessions become attainable for the first time, and where clients with specific creative goals tend to land.

  • Additional images added to your foundational package
  • Instant Images available as an add-on alongside your Mastered or Fully Retouched Images
  • Studio sessions become available
  • Up to 2 locations at $850+
  • Small-scale model test shoots typically start here
  • High school senior editorial sessions typically start in this range
  • Maternity sessions typically start in this range
Session Styles Available
All Standard Styles Earth Angels LoFi LoFi Lumière Studio Sessions Lethal Woman Editorials The Fairies Modern Victoria Coastal Nostalgia Editorials
Around $1,000–$1,299
Premium Sessions Available

This is where the work shifts from a personal session to a creative experience. Premium session styles open at this level — more conceptual, more intentional, and more deliberate in every visual choice. You also receive your first exclusive session perk: the Instant Noir First Look.

  • Goddess Sessions become available
  • Celestials sessions become available
  • Instant Noir First Look: 5–10 bonus black & white images returned within 72 hours of your session
  • Photographer may gift bonus images at their discretion
  • Budget flexibility to begin fusing multiple creative styles into one session — each style often requires its own location, lighting setup, and creative direction, and this range starts to make that possible
  • Dedicated Set Assistant available at $1,300+
  • Up to 3 locations at $1,300+
  • 3 fine art 8×10 prints included at $1,300+
Session Styles Available
All Standard & $750 Styles Goddess Sessions Celestials Dystopia
Around $1,500–$1,899
Signature Sessions Available

Signature sessions are high-concept, visually complex experiences that go beyond a camera and a location. At this level, the pieces come together — styling artists, on-set support, and specialized equipment can all be woven into your session. Note: bringing in hair, makeup, or wardrobe artists are independent services and do not affect your session perks. They simply expand what's possible on the day.

  • Siren Sessions (adult, pool only) become available — Mastered Images only
  • Submerged Sessions (youth, pool only) become available — Mastered Images only
  • Mobile studio equipment available for off-studio locations at $1,900+
  • Priority+ gallery delivery: Final Image Delivery Gallery returned within 3 weeks of your image selections
  • Those looking to build out a full model portfolio in a single session should strongly consider this range
  • Styling artists — hair, makeup, wardrobe — can be meaningfully integrated into the session through independent vendors
Session Styles Available
All Standard & Premium Styles Siren Sessions Submerged Sessions
$3,500 & Above
Atelier — One of a Kind Sessions & Travel Options

This is where photography stops being a service and becomes an event. At this level, we build productions — rare locations that may not exist tomorrow, props that cannot be sourced twice, styling teams assembled around a single creative vision. The sessions created here are not repeatable. They are singular experiences, executed with full intention, and delivered as fine art. If you have ever looked at an image and thought "how did they even make that" — this is where that answer lives.

  • 2 Dedicated Set Assistants on set
  • Up to 2 hours of studio time included
  • 24-hour behind-the-scenes video First Look
  • DreamLand and Melancholia sessions — fine art experiences that employ rare props, limited-access locations, and full creative production teams
  • At $4,500+: Photographer and assistant travel to you. Travel and lodging fees apply and are quoted transparently.
  • At $4,500+: Priority++ delivery — Final Image Delivery Gallery within 2 weeks of your selections
Session Styles Available
All Session Styles DreamLand — Fine Art Melancholia — Dark Fine Art

Session Genres

Each genre has a distinct visual world. Some are easy and relaxed. Some are rare and irreplaceable. All of them are built around you.

Tap any tier to explore

Standard
From $500
Wanderlust
Popular with seniors

Warm, nostalgic, and deeply candid. Wanderlust sessions are for those who don't want to stare down a lens — they want to move through a beautiful natural setting and be caught in the feeling of it. Soft light, flowy wardrobe, unhurried pace. These images feel like a memory before they're even edited.

Urban Adventure
Easy, fun, city-forward

The city is the playground. Murals, alleys, rooftops, parks, storefronts, bridges — wherever the environment leads. Urban Adventure sessions are laid-back and exploratory, perfect for those who want a fun, easy shoot without anything feeling overly staged. The city does most of the work.

Swim Sessions
Ocean & beach

Open water. Sand. Natural light and movement. Swim sessions are coastal and free — the kind of images that belong in a summer editorial. Shot on the beach and at the water's edge, these sessions capture ease, warmth, and the energy of being exactly where you want to be.

Greater Customization
$750 – $999
Earth Angels
Urban · Softly dreamy

Angels walk among us — and these sessions prove it. Earth Angels are grounded in the real world, styled in everyday fashion, and shot primarily in urban environments. The magic is subtle: something in the light, something in the frame that makes the ordinary feel quietly otherworldly. Beautiful without being fantasy.

LoFi
Nighttime urban · Cinematic

Shot after dark in the city. Grain, color-saturated tones, and vibrant pops of light pulled from neon, signage, and whatever the night offers. Street fashion styling. A cinematic visual language built on two-tone color balance or the 60-30-10 color grading rule. LoFi sessions look like a film still from a movie that doesn't exist yet.

Lethal Woman Editorials
Edgy · Styled · Instant Noir included

Feminine power, claimed fully. Lethal Woman Editorials are edgy, intentional, and styled — shot primarily in studio, though not always. These sessions carry an edge that doesn't ask for permission. Every Lethal Woman session includes 5 Instant Noir Images as part of the experience.

The Fairies
Whimsical · Enchanted

Pure fairy whimsy. Soft, enchanted, and completely its own world. These sessions lean into the magical and the playful — the kind of images that feel like they belong in a storybook. Light-filled, ethereal, and joyful from start to finish.

Modern Victoria
Youth · Romantic editorial

Victorian and baroque sensibility reimagined through a modern editorial lens. Soft and romantic in structure, but styled with darker, richer tones that keep it from feeling like costume. Lace, florals, corsets, ornate settings — luxurious garden environments or dramatic Victorian interiors. Built for youth clients who want something whimsical, beautiful, and genuinely editorial.

Coastal Nostalgia Editorials
Beach editorial · Film-inspired

Shot on the beach with a vintage editorial eye. Think the blown-out, sun-drenched pages of a magazine from another era. On and off-camera flash techniques are layered with niche post-processing to achieve images that feel like they've always existed somewhere. Film grain, warm tones, and a quiet confidence that no digital clean edit can replicate.

LoFi Lumière Studio Sessions
Studio · Elevated · Technically precise

The regal counterpart to LoFi. All the same visual DNA — grain, color-saturated tones, cinematic grading — but executed inside a studio environment with elevated styling in place of street fashion. Greater control of lighting allows for more advanced techniques and the ability to shift setups dramatically within a single session. Less scenic. More commanding.

Premium
From $1,000
Goddess Sessions
Beach · Elemental · Most popular

One of the most beloved session styles offered. Goddess Sessions are almost always shot on the beach — elemental by nature, incorporating earth, water, wind, and at times even fire. This is a healing and empowering experience rooted in the idea of bringing your metaphysical goddess into the physical world. Long, flowy styling. Deeply freeing. Each session is entirely unique to the person in frame — what matters most is how you want to feel when you see the images.

Celestials
Mystical · Otherworldly · Wings

Mystical, otherworldly, and visually unlike anything else. Celestial sessions always incorporate large, ornate wings as a defining element of the shoot. The energy can go in either direction — light and luminous or dark and dramatic — giving each session a dualistic range that makes every result singular. If there is a visual language that exists between this world and whatever lies beyond it, this is it.

Dystopia
Experimental · Cinematic editorial

A newer experimental style and one of the most cinematic in the collection. Dystopia sessions draw from the visual language of Mad Max, The Matrix, and post-apocalyptic editorial — fashion styled heavily to theme, environments chosen for their grit and tension. Raw, dramatic, and unlike anything typically seen in portrait photography. This genre is still evolving, which is part of what makes it exciting.

Signature
From $1,500
Siren Sessions
Adults · Pool · Mastered Images only

Fully submerged underwater photography, always shot in a pool environment — never the beach. Siren sessions are technically demanding and visually unlike anything produced on dry land. Ethereal, magnetic, deeply cinematic. A wider range of styling options is possible here than in any other water-based session. Only Mastered Images are available — these images deserve nothing less.

Submerged Sessions
Youth · Pool · Mastered Images only

The same concept as the Siren, scaled for age-appropriate safety and executed with heavy parental involvement throughout. Pool-based only, never the beach. Results may vary more than adult sessions given the nature of working with younger subjects in water — and that is factored into the process from the start. Only Mastered Images are available.

Atelier — One of a Kind
From $3,500
DreamLand
Fine Art

Surreal and luminous. DreamLand sessions are built around locations that are fleeting, props that are rare, and creative visions that require an entire team to execute. These are not sessions that can be recreated — the location may be gone, the lighting window too narrow, the moment too specific to repeat. Specific styling is always part of it. What comes out the other side is not a photograph. It is a work of art capturing something that no longer exists.

Melancholia
Dark Fine Art

The dark mirror of DreamLand. Melancholia sessions exist in the space between shadow and intention — moody, cinematic, and emotionally charged. Like DreamLand, these sessions require rare props, limited-access or disappearing locations, and styling built specifically for the concept. No two Melancholia sessions look alike. None of them can be fully repeated. The results carry a weight that persists long after the session ends.

Optional Experience
Enhancements

These are optional additions that expand the scope, environment, or production value of your session. None are automatically included unless noted in your quote.

Want to make your experience extraordinary?
The Glamour Light Experience

The glamorous and regal lighting of a studio fashion editorial — brought to you. A dedicated on-scene assistant wields a powerful mobile studio strobe with softbox, wrapping every frame in rich, cinematic light that transforms a moment into the moment. From magazine cover to movie poster.

+$85 / hour
On-scene lighting assistant with mobile studio strobe & softbox. Billed in full hours.
Session Styles That May Benefit
Urban Adventure Swim Sessions Earth Angels The Fairies Coastal Nostalgia Goddess Sessions DreamLand
Want something to hold onto — forever?
Video & Polaroid Experiences

Video enhancements must be requested before your session and are billed post-session.

Aesthetic Video Clip
+$25 per clip
A short cinematic highlight moment — great for stories and reel intros. 3–10 seconds per clip.
Raw Cinematic Highlight Strip
+$125 per look
All the best moments from a single look or theme. Great for content creators. Typically 1–3 minutes per look.
The Polaroid Experience
+$85 per pack of 8
8 film exposures on a genuine vintage Sun 600, developed on-scene. Analog film — results may vary, which is part of the vintage charm.
Want more images?
Additional Images

Booking rate is locked when your session is reserved. Post-session rate applies when images are added after your session wraps.

Mastered Images
$75 booking
$100 post-session
Fine art level, 3–6 editing phases. The highest edit tier available. Per image.
Fully Retouched Images
$45 booking
$65 post-session
Print-ready polish, 1–2 editing phases. A significant step above standard editing. Per image.
Instant Images
$750+ Sessions · Per 5
$100 booking
$175 post-session
$20 / $35 per individual image
Stylistic film edits — no retouching. Always added alongside Mastered or Fully Retouched Images.
Need your photos faster?
Rush Delivery

Standard timeline: 4–6 weeks after proof gallery selections.

Eligibility: Fully Retouched Images and Mastered Images only — Instant Images already run accelerated.

Proof gallery return is unaffected — standard 7–10 business days regardless of tier.

To qualify: A brief in-person selection immediately after your session is required.

14-Day Turnaround
$35 / image
Delivered within 14 days of proof selections.
7-Day Turnaround
$80 / image
Delivered within 7 days of proof selections.
48-Hour Turnaround
$120 / image
Delivered within 48 hours. Subject to availability.
Need something extra on set?
Rentals

All rental fees are quoted transparently before any session where they apply.

Prop Rental
Inquire
Large Gear Rental
Inquire
Location Rentals
Inquire
Wardrobe Access / Usage
Inquire

3rd Party Styling Services

Hair stylists, makeup artists, and wardrobe stylists are independent vendors — not employed by Rook Barber Photography. Their services are priced by the individual artist and quoted separately from your session fee. Vendor coordination is available at the $1,300 investment level and above.

Cost ranges shown below are industry estimates only — not vendor quotes. Final pricing is set by the individual artist.

Wardrobe Styling
Closet Pull
$0
Client sources their own wardrobe
Thrift & Vintage
$10–$60
Client-sourced. Low cost, high character
Boutique or Costume Rental
$75–$300
Rented from a boutique or costume house
Stylist Consultation
$100–$250
Stylist guides — client executes
Freelance Stylist On-Set
$200–$600
Present and active throughout your session
Dedicated Stylist w/ Wardrobe Pull
$500–$2,000+
Full wardrobe curated & pulled. Production level
Most Affordable
Most Elevated
Closet Pull
$0
Client sources their own wardrobe
Hair Styling
Client Self-Styled
$0
Client handles their own hair. Prep guide provided
Freelance Hair Stylist
$75–$250
Independent artist, single session
Hair + Makeup Together
$250–$600
Coordinated duo, priced as a team
Dedicated On-Set Hair
$400–$1,200+
Present for the full session. Touch-ups between looks
Most Affordable
Most Elevated
Client Self-Styled
$0
Client handles their own hair. Prep guide provided
Makeup
Client Self-Glam
$0
Client handles their own makeup. Prep guide provided
Freelance MUA
$75–$250
Independent makeup artist, single session
Hair + Makeup Together
$250–$600
Coordinated duo, priced as a team
Dedicated On-Set MUA
$400–$1,200+
Present for the full session. Touch-ups between looks
Most Affordable
Most Elevated
Client Self-Glam
$0
Client handles their own makeup. Prep guide provided

Commercial Usage & Licensing

Any session where the resulting images will be used for commercial purposes — advertising, brand campaigns, product promotion, editorial publication, resale, or any revenue-generating application — requires a commercial usage license in addition to the session fee. Licensing protects both parties and ensures the scope of use is clearly defined before delivery.

Photo Licensing — Per Image / Per Year
Standard Usage
$100/image/year
Single brand or business use. Covers standard advertising, social media, website, and promotional materials.
Extended Usage
$250/image/year
Includes resale and reseller networks. Use across multiple brands, platforms, or distribution channels.
Commercial Buyout
Inquire
Flat fee for unlimited, perpetual commercial rights. Scope defined per agreement. Quoted individually.
Important

Using images beyond the scope of your license agreement — including unauthorized commercial use — constitutes a copyright violation and will be addressed accordingly. If your needs change after delivery, extended licensing can be purchased at any time.

Incidentals

Not automatically added — but may apply depending on scope, timing, or circumstances. All fees disclosed transparently before your session.

Item
Description
Rate
Location Scouting
Pre-session location research and evaluation.
$50/hr
On-Set Assistants
Additional set support beyond included assistants.
$35/hr each
Team Scouting Fee
Per person, capped at 5.
$35/person
Travel
Calculated at standard government mileage rates.
Gov. rate
Extended Travel / Per Diem
Overnights, flights, or work outside local radius.
Inquire
Last Minute Booking
Sessions booked within 7 days of initial inquiry.
$75
Operational Impact Fee
Events impacting scheduling, arranged travel, etc.
$200–$1,200
In-Depth Edit Requests
Beyond normal editing scope or included re-edits.
$35/image
Client Reschedule Fee
Applied upon the client's 3rd reschedule.
$100
Late Invoice Fee
Applied to outstanding unpaid invoices.
$50/week

Common Questions

I don't know what to budget. Where do I start?
Start with what feels comfortable and share that number. A session will be built around it. Every investment level produces professional, intentional work — the scope simply scales with what you're working with.
What is a proof gallery?
After your session, you'll receive a professional Image Review Gallery — a curated selection of your images presented online for review. This is sometimes called a "proof gallery" in the photography world, but the experience here is more intentional than that name suggests. For Fully Retouched and Mastered sessions, this is where you choose which images get retouched and returned to you in your Final Image Delivery Gallery.
How long does it take to get my images back?
Standard return time is 6–8 weeks following your session, after your image selections are made from the proof gallery. Rush delivery options are available at an additional cost — 14-day, 7-day, and 48-hour turnarounds are all offered. Priority+ and Priority++ delivery perks are also automatically applied when your session investment reaches certain thresholds, bringing your return time down to 3 or 2 weeks at no extra charge.
When do I receive my final images?
Standard delivery follows proof selections. Priority+ (3-week delivery) unlocks at the $1,900 investment level. Priority++ (2-week delivery) unlocks at $4,500. Rush delivery is available at additional cost for any tier.
Are hair and makeup included?
No — unless explicitly included in your quote. Hair, makeup, and styling are 3rd party services coordinated through independent vendors. Vendor coordination is available at the $1,300 investment level. Any pricing examples are estimates only — final costs are set by the individual artist.
Can you travel to me?
Yes. At the $4,500+ investment threshold, the photographer and a dedicated set assistant are available to travel to your location. Travel and lodging fees may apply and are fully disclosed during the quoting process.
Can I add more images after my session?
A post-gallery upgrade window is available for select tiers. Reach out after receiving your proof gallery to discuss adding images or upgrading edit tiers. Details are shared during the booking process.
I'm in Charleston. Do I get a different rate?
Yes. Charleston-area residents qualify for a local session minimum of $350. This is offered openly — just mention it during your inquiry and it will be applied to your quote.
Can I do multiple creative themes in one session?
Yes — though what we're able to build depends on a number of factors: timing, whether we're adding a styling team, props, required on-set assistants, and budget, among others. These are things we'll work through together during your consultation so your session is scoped realistically and executed well.
What if I've never done a professional shoot before?
Completely normal. Direction and guidance are part of every session. You don't need experience in front of a camera — that's exactly why you came here. The Pre-Session Prep Guide will also prepare you in advance so the day of your shoot feels natural and easy.

Every session starts
with a conversation.

Share your vision. Share your budget. A custom quote follows. This is not transactional photography — it is collaborative, intentional image-making built around you.

Start Your Inquiry
© Rook Barber Photography  ·  All Rights Reserved  ·  South Carolina
Add-Ons
Image Upgrade Packages

Package pricing reflects booking rates. Post-session rates shown smaller beneath. Savings noted are relative to standard per-image booking rates. Instant Images are limited to 15 maximum across all packages. Final pricing confirmed during the booking process.

Mastered Packs
+3 Mastered

$213 · booking · save 5%
$284 · post · save 5%
vs. $225 / $300 std
A strong addition to a foundational set. Ideal for clients wanting a few more fine art images without a major expansion.
+5 Mastered

$345 · booking · save 8%
$460 · post · save 8%
vs. $375 / $500 std
A meaningful upgrade — ideal for portfolio building or adding a wall-worthy collection alongside your base package.
+10 Mastered

$630 · booking · save 16%
$840 · post · save 16%
vs. $750 / $1,000 std
Full fine art treatment across a complete collection. Best value at the highest tier.
Retouched Packs
+5 Retouched

$213 · booking · save 5%
$308 · post · save 5%
vs. $225 / $325 std
Expand your polished deliverables. Great for clients who want volume and variety without stepping into fine art territory.
+8 Retouched

$331 · booking · save 8%
$478 · post · save 8%
vs. $360 / $520 std
A strong mid-level upgrade — ideal for a well-rounded, polished delivery with real variety across looks and moments.
+12 Retouched

$454 · booking · save 16%
$655 · post · save 16%
vs. $540 / $780 std
Maximum polished volume. Ideal for content-heavy needs, model portfolios, or clients who want a large print-ready collection.
Instants Packs
+5 Instants

$100 · booking
$175 · post
A single stylistic film layer alongside your retouched images. Entry point for the Instant edit experience.
+10 Instants

$190 · booking · save 5%
$332 · post · save 5%
Double the stylistic coverage — variety in film-style delivery across multiple looks.
+15 Instants
· Max

$276 · booking · save 8%
$483 · post · save 8%
Maximum stylistic coverage. Best paired with larger Mastered or Retouched sets. 15 is the cap.
Mixed Edit Bundles
The Evergreen
+3 Mastered · +5 Retouched

$399 · booking · save 8%
$546 · post · save 8%
vs. $450 / $625 std
A balanced mix — fine art anchors paired with a solid set of polished retouched images.
The Queen's Gambit
+5 Mastered · +8 Retouched

$647 · booking · save 12%
$898 · post · save 12%
vs. $735 / $1,020 std
A substantial mid-tier bundle — strong fine art presence supported by generous polished delivery.
The Immortal
+10 Mastered · +12 Retouched

$1,080 · booking · save 16%
$1,474 · post · save 16%
vs. $1,290 / $1,780 std
The full spectrum at maximum volume — fine art and polished retouching across an entire collection.

All package pricing is based on booking rates unless otherwise noted. Post-session rates listed where applicable. Flash discounts may be offered day-of or at proof gallery delivery and apply on top of listed package savings.