How I Make a Mood Board and Why

I've found the last few years when I'm getting really creatively dry, I become desperate to figure out what gets me out of that headspace. Since Instagram added their "save" option, and I actually figured out Pinterest, the game has changed. I've started preparing for dry spells and studying what inspires me to jump back into creating. Mood boards are one of those things. Each month I make sure to spend time at least once searching and collecting inspiration on Pinterest. While on the interwebs through normal work days, I save any and everything that sparks something. I usually download and collect into a "swipe" file on my computer/phone. There is an awesome book called "How to Steal Like an Artist" and one of the things Austin Kleon talks about is how important it is to be swiping art and words that speak to you, so that you can always be growing and learning. 

So what’s the point of mood boards?

First things first, it’s time you spend looking at other's art instead of constantly your own. I love that it refocuses my work. Reminds me of my priorities. For some people, curating a Pinterest board is enough. I love the collage process, personally. I'm sure there are simpler programs than Photoshop...it’s just what I have access to with my creative cloud. So I spend however long moving photos around, typing up quotes, choosing color schemes and themes. It’s honestly just so good for my soul. Takes my mind off stress.

I usually print these mood boards out, make them my background on my laptop, and share with friends. It helps not feel drowned in some of the not so visually stimulating settings I have to work in...like airport corners, messy apartment, and the same coffee shop over and over again...or starbucks (not exactly the french cafe aesthetic...). Sometimes after making these mood boards, it helps me make some decisions like what I want to spend money on that month. Do I want a new coat to feel stylish…print out photos to hang on my wall…eat more healthfully...maybe even save up for a trip to a certain city. Honestly, I'm always shocked by how much I feel more grounded after curating mood boards. I feel like the act of creating them is often more inspirational than seeing the end product. It is time I spend studying color, lifestyles, words, and others’ work.

*Disclaimer.* Simply put, I don't own ANY of the images below! They are all downloaded or screenshots. They are all in my SWIPE files or pin boards. I NEVER ever claim them as my own, in fact I've been hesitant to make this post just for that reason. I don't want any photographer, writer, or creator to feel as though I've stolen their work. This is for inspiration. To challenge me to create even better. Some of my favorite photographers include Esther Havens, Allison and Cody, and Nadine Berns. Some of my favorite pages include Tezza, EveryDayRefugees, Cnr2312, Lindsey Pruitt, leefromamerica, and so many more! Dude I just need to do an “Instagramers I love” post??!

ANYWAYS, here are some boards from 2018:

Below is my current "life mood board.” It includes photos of community, reading, urban photography, and photos that really get my heart pumping. I want to prioritize these things in my life. I'm such a visual learner, so having photos that I can pull up to get me to go to a library or invite friends over for dinner really does catalyze change. 

Next one below is my "Wedding photography" mood board. I've collected these photos over months...some I've had saved for years. Pulling them all together, I started noticing themes and certain similarities. It helped me get an idea of some concepts/posing/coloring I wanted to try out while shooting my next weddings/shoots. I never realized how much I save black and white photos. I also noticed I am drawn to awesome exit photos, so my goal is get some really epic exit shots these next weddings. An overarching theme through the board is genuine emotion. None of it looks fake or posed, it all feels natural and genuine- like, you just love looking at these photos, because you are looking at real, relatable, and lovely people. 

This next one is my "humanitarian photography" mood board. These photos I've saved for years. In fact, this mood board every 6 months looks pretty similar. The collage is a little different from the other to me, because its not just about the visuals, it is about the story and person. The ability of the photographer to create an image that you connect with and deeply feel. I put some words in there that I'm learning how to embody as a person and photographer. These photos combined beautiful color and composition with authentic personality and story. This board really reminds me of my priorities as a humanitarian photographer.

Lastly, I created a little video montage of the process I go through to create a mood board. In the video you will see me downloading/screenshotting photos I've collected. But also you will see me searching for photos, too. I want to restate: I never claim these photos as my own, only as inspiration. I hope you want to give this a try! Spend time being challenged and excited instead of discouraged and flat looking at your own life/work. Press play!