Custom Mood Boards- How They Work and Why I Use Them
After booking a photography session, the most common question I get is “what should we wear for the session?” Many photographers have taken to providing a client closet for this reason. Sometimes the photographer provides outfits for the entire family, but more commonly they will provide a pretty dress for mom and some cute fits for younger kids. This ensures a nice aesthetic that gives the photographer ultimate creative control, and it removes the guesswork for the client about what to wear. However this additional service is an expensive undertaking- the initial costs bear a hefty price tag and the upkeep (if done well) is no small feat! It’s not easy to provide this service without also raising your prices to reflect the additional cost of doing business. Furthermore, I feel like client closets are often redundant. It’s difficult to find pieces that are universally flattering. It also removes a lot of the personality and creative contribution from the client. However, I know that a lot of families want to look nice for their photos, feel overwhelmed about where to start, and have some questions about what to photograph nicely. My solution? Custom mood boards.
What is a mood board?
A mood board is a visual presentation- typically a collage- that arranges pictures, texts, and other design elements to represent a concept. My mom is an interior designer by degree. When my husband and I bought our house, she used mood boards to help us come together on how to decorate our new space. It helped us find colors, patterns, and a general aesthetic to fit our personal style. I was fascinated and looked into the various uses for mood boards- people use them for everything from event planning, to marketing design, and more! When we had our family photos done in May, I used a mood board to plan our outfits. I was so pleased with how cohesive everything looked together that I decided to start offering these mood boards to clients. Over the last six months, I’ve been fine-tuning my process for this service. You’re documenting your family when you purchase a photography session, but you’re also purchasing visual art. It should reflect your style! And the best way to communicate that and bring it to life is to plan appropriately.
What is my process?
The first step is to verify the details we already have. Did we already select a location? Do you have a general idea of how you’d like your photos to look? Do you have one person’s outfit already mapped out? I will also send out a questionnaire that helps you pin down your style and creative aesthetic. These twenty questions take about five minutes to answer. From there, I will map out your mood board and send it to you. If you are a returning client, I will cross-check our ideas for this session with previous photo sessions. This will help me get an idea of what you’ve liked previously, but it also helps me come up with something unique by avoiding a copy and paste of past looks.
What if you want something more “hands-off” ?
Mood boards are totally optional. When you book a session with me, I will ask if you’re interested in having a mood board done. If you aren’t, that’s ok! You can also flip through my free e-book of session looks to get some ideas instead (this is something provided to all my clients!), or you can completely do your own thing. Mood boards are designed to take off some of the stress and pressure of figuring out what to wear. If the process feels too daunting or adds to your stress then that’s not the tool for us to use!
Mood Board Samples
This client booked their session at a botanical garden for their family of three (mom, dad, and seven-year-old son). The mom describes their style as casual, bright, and minimalistic. They wanted to incorporate the color pink into their pallet. She didn’t want to wear a dress, and her son did not want to wear any pink himself. Limiting the pattern to the mom’s shirt helped the aesthetic remain minimalistic. Relying on denim as a common thread throughout everyone’s outfit gave a casual touch. Finally, we used a knitted cardigan as a layering piece to add an area of interest. These colors pop gorgeously against the green background of the botanical garden!
This family of four booked wanted a trendy, downtown vibe for their photos. Their family includes a mom, a dad, a fifteen-year-old daughter, and a twelve-year-old son. Their family as a whole prefers to stay away from bright colors- opting instead for a lot of black in their outfits. The mom has a more minimalist style. The daughter loves retro fashion. The father and son are fans of plaid, 90’s grunge, and band T-shirts. There is more pattern in this sample, but the dark color pallet helps keep the photo from being overwhelmed with patterns. Also, note that the two prints are not copies of each other- providing more interest and less “matchy” vibes.
This board was created for a family of three for their newborn session. They wanted to feel comfortable but still put together. It was also important to this client that their style matches the aesthetic of their home. She described their home as being minimalist/modern with a lot of neutral colors. There is nothing cozier than a jeans and sweater combo. One tip for looking “put together” in your in-home photography session is to not forget about your feet! If you don’t wear shoes at home, bare feet are fine- but just wearing socks can make your outfit look incomplete. We kept the minimal feel with a neutral color pallet and dainty accessories.
