The Missing Piece: Why Most Fashion Designers Struggle with Their First Photo Shoot (And How to Fix It)
by Brisha Herbert
One of the biggest challenges fashion designers face when trying to promote their work is not knowing how to properly plan and direct a photo shoot. You’ve made the garment — but when it comes time to photograph it, the results don’t reflect the vision you had in your head. That’s where creative direction and a powerful tool called a mood board come in.
As a designer and creative director, I’ve learned that your designs are only half the story. To bring your vision to life, you need to build the world around them. That’s the power of a well-thought-out photo shoot.
What’s the Real Problem?
Most designers make the mistake of:
• Choosing random locations
• Showing up with no clear theme or storyline
• Relying entirely on the photographer’s direction
• Forgetting to plan hair, makeup, or accessories
• Not thinking about lighting, color, or mood
The result? A shoot that feels disjointed, unprofessional, or flat — no matter how beautiful your design is. What’s missing is a clear vision to bring the entire moment together.
The Solution: Create a Mood Board Like a Creative Director
A mood board is your secret weapon. It’s not just a collage of ideas — it’s your blueprint for success. It’s how you communicate your entire shoot — your storyline, colors, setting, wardrobe, and emotional tone — in one cohesive vision.
When you build a mood board, you’re no longer “hoping” it all comes together. You’re leading your project like a pro.
How I Build My Mood Boards (And You Can Too)
1. Start with a Storyline
Your storyline sets the tone. Ask yourself:
• Who is this woman?
• Where is she going?
• How does she feel?
For example, in one shoot, I told the story of a well-traveled, elegant woman arriving back in L.A. for a glamorous event. She’s radiant, stylish, and basking in her moment. That vision guided every decision that followed.
2. Choose the Garments
If you already have your collection created, pick pieces that support the mood. If not, let the storyline inspire what you design. I often sketch my looks using Adobe Illustrator or Freeform before creating them.
3. Pick a Location (Plus a Backup)
The setting helps tell your story. Make sure it matches your vibe — whether it’s urban, beachy, elegant, or raw. For wedding pieces, choose clean, soft backdrops. Avoid settings that would make the model uncomfortable or risk damaging the garment.
Always have a backup location just in case your first choice doesn’t work out.
4. Break It into Visual Sections
Organize your board with clear fields for each element:
• Garment
• Hair
• Makeup
• Nails & Toes
• Shoes
• Accessories
• Location
• Time of Day
• Mood/Emotion
This keeps your team aligned — your photographer, models, assistants, and stylists will all understand the vision before arriving.
5. Select Your Color Palette
Choose 4–5 main colors. This will help guide your makeup, background, and styling choices. For example, in some shoots I’ve mixed gold with pearls or used rich neutrals with pops of coral or seafoam.
Color consistency gives your photos depth and intentionality.
Real-Life Example: Luxury on the Beach
In one of my favorite shoots, I captured a woman in a handmade beach cover-up — carefree, glowing, and deeply in love with herself. The mood was “luxury in L.A.” She was soaking in the sun, fruit in hand, confident in her beauty.
Because I had a solid mood board with sketches, color palette, story, and visual inspiration, everything flowed. We didn’t just “hope” it turned out well — we planned it, and the energy matched the outcome.
Final Advice for Fashion Designers Becoming Creative Directors
When you direct your own shoot as a designer:
• You protect your brand’s image
• You avoid wasting time and energy
• You get exactly the shots you need
• You grow as an artist and entrepreneur
Your mood board becomes your voice. It allows you to lead the shoot, not just participate in it. It allows your model to feel the character. It helps your photographer align the lighting, framing, and angles to your story.
My Personal Tips for Creative Direction:
• Pray before and after every shoot to set the tone
• Show up with love, professionalism, and clarity
• Respect everyone’s time and talent
• Communicate clearly and stay flexible if plans shift
• Be present — that one shot might be the shot
Bottom Line
If you’re a fashion designer struggling to plan a high-quality photo shoot, the solution is simple:
Stop winging it. Start directing it.
Create your mood board. Tell your story. And lead with confidence — because your work deserves to be seen the way you imagined it.
Stay tuned — I’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes moments from my upcoming photo shoot soon. And yes, the mood board is already in motion.