Struggling to Plan a Cohesive Photo Shoot? Here’s How a Mood Board Can Elevate Your Entire Vision

Beautiful woman in a handmade black pom-pom tulle dress with a removable ballgown skirt.

by Brisha Herbert

As a fashion designer and creative director, I’ve come to realize one of the most powerful tools I use isn’t a sewing machine or even a garment—it’s my mood board.

If you’ve ever found yourself stuck, overwhelmed, or just not getting the results you want from a photo shoot, chances are, your vision wasn’t fully laid out. That’s where a mood board comes in. It’s not just a collage — it’s your blueprint. It gives your shoot structure, purpose, and energy.

💡 So… What Is a Mood Board?

A mood board is exactly what it sounds like — a board that captures the mood of your project. It helps you tell your story visually before you even pick up a camera or touch a garment. Whether you’re planning a photo shoot, styling a collection, or creating a personal project, a mood board helps align your ideas with real outcomes.

It’s your visual game plan — the core of your photo shoot strategy. From your storyline to the location, lighting, wardrobe, makeup, and overall feeling, everything starts here.

🎨 How I Make My Mood Boards

I like to start with a blank canvas. This could be a whiteboard, a large piece of paper, or a digital space. Personally, I love using Freeform and Adobe Illustrator on my iPad. These platforms allow me to move elements around freely, sketch, and layer visuals as my ideas evolve.

Here’s how I build out my board:

1. Start with the Storyline

This is the heart of your shoot. Ask yourself:

    •    Who is the woman in this story?

    •    Where is she going?

    •    How does she feel?

For example, one of my recent storylines was about a woman traveling to a grand event in L.A. She’s stylish, glowing, and enjoying the fruits of her labor. My goal was to capture that luxurious joy through the photos, clothing, and setting.

2. Choose Your Garments

If you’re a fashion designer, this is where you shine. Sometimes I already have the garment created; other times, I design the piece after defining the mood and storyline. The key is to make sure the garment supports the story — the cut, color, and texture should complement the emotion and setting.

3. Define the Location (and Backups!)

The setting plays a huge role in how your shoot feels. If it’s a wedding gown, don’t place your model somewhere muddy or overly hot. Think of:

    •    How the location matches the mood

    •    Lighting at specific times of day

    •    Access & comfort for the model and team

Always have a backup location in case the original plan doesn’t work out.

4. Build Out Each Visual Section

Break your board into 7–9 clear sections, including:

    •    👗 Garment

    •    💍 Accessories

    •    👠 Shoes

    •    💄 Makeup

    •    💇🏽‍♀️ Hair

    •    💅 Nails & toes

    •    📍 Location

    •    🎯 Storyline

    •    🎭 Mood/Emotion

You can include fabric swatches, beauty inspo, pose references, and even keywords to help others understand your vision.

5. Pick Your Color Palette

Color communicates everything. I usually select 4–5 primary colors that shape the entire visual direction. From wardrobe to background tones, even accessories — this palette keeps everything cohesive.

Don’t be afraid to mix textures or metals. Some of my favorite boards have included gold + pearls, or silver with rich jewel tones.

📸 Real Example from My Work

In one of my beachwear shoots, I created a mood board for a woman visiting Los Angeles, soaking up the sun in a luxurious handmade cover-up. She was carefree, radiant, and completely in her power.

Everything from the lighting to the fruit props and her body language was intentional. The result? We captured exactly what I envisioned because the mood board guided us every step of the way.

If you’re skipping the mood board, you’re skipping your roadmap. You risk miscommunication with your photographer, styling inconsistencies, and most of all — missing the magic you had in your head.

But when you create a strong mood board:

    •    Everyone is aligned with the vision

    •    You save time and reduce stress on set

    •    You create cohesive, compelling content

    •    You make sure your garment tells a story, not just looks pretty

As a designer who is also a creative director, I’ve learned that the shoot isn’t just about what you’re wearing — it’s about what you’re feeling. A mood board lets everyone feel that with you.

Stay tuned — I’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes from my next shoot soon. And yes, the mood board is already in progress.