How to Make a Mood Board for Your Photoshoot
Planning a photoshoot is one of the most exciting parts of your content journey. Whether you’re launching a product or refreshing your personal brand, a mood board will help you feel organised and confident before stepping in front of the camera. It is also the most effective way to communicate your creative vision to your photographer and studio team.
At Studio Warehouse, we ask all our clients to send through a clear mood board before their shoot. It helps us quote accurately, prepare the space, and tailor the session to your style. In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to make a mood board, which tools to use, what to include, and how to share it with your creative team.
What is a Mood Board?
A mood board is a visual reference that brings your ideas to life. It includes photos, colour palettes, textures, camera angles, lighting references, and styling notes to give your photographer and creative team a clear idea of the look and feel you are going for. This is especially helpful when you’re working on a Melbourne studio shoot for personal branding or product photography.
Step-by-Step: How to Make a Mood Board for a Photoshoot
1. Define the Type of Photography
Start by getting clear on what you are shooting and why. Are you promoting a product? Launching a personal brand? Updating your social media content? This will shape the types of photos you need and the layout of your board.
It is common for people to want a mix of lifestyle and product photography in one shoot, but keep in mind that these often require different setups. For example, flat lay product photography may need a different lighting approach or backdrop than portrait-style branding shots. Changing sets takes time, so plan accordingly.
When sharing your mood board with us, it helps to answer the following:
What type of content are we shooting? (e.g. product, lifestyle, headshots)
How many looks or scenes are you hoping to capture?
Will these images be used on your website or for social media?
Do you prefer a large batch of content, or just a few high-quality, high-resolution images?
2. Choose a Format
You can create your mood board using tools like Canva, Google Slides, or PowerPoint. When finished, export as a PDF so it’s easy to view and share. If your file is too large to email, use a free tool like iLovePDF to compress the PDF before sending.
Alternatively, Pinterest is one of the easiest and most visual platforms to gather inspiration. Simply create a public board and share the link with your photographer. Just double-check that your board settings allow us to view it.
3. Add Practical Notes
Your mood board is more than just aesthetics. Use it to make planning easier by including notes like:
Which outfits pair best with certain backdrops or poses
Accessories you plan to include
Hair or makeup variations for each scene
This helps your photographer stay on track and ensures you make the most of your time.
4. Share it Ahead of Time
Send your completed mood board to the Studio Warehouse photography team a few days before your shoot. This gives everyone time to review it, plan your setup, and flag anything that might need tweaking.
What to Include in a Mood Board
Model poses or facial expressions
Lighting references (soft, harsh, natural, studio)
Camera angles (flat lay, portrait, wide shots)
Props and accessories
Colour themes and textures
Hairstyle or makeup inspiration
Bonus Tips from a Melbourne Photographer
If you’re shooting at Studio Warehouse, think about how your mood board will work with our two signature spaces:
The Ground has neutral grey floors, industrial concrete walls, and large-scale natural light that shifts throughout the day. Ideal for clean, elevated product content or campaign shoots.
The Mez is more styled and intimate—think soft furnishings, timber details, and lots of props for a warm, home-style vibe. Perfect for personal branding, fashion, or lifestyle content.
Aligning your vision with the space will elevate the results.
Final Thoughts
A great mood board saves time, creates clarity, and gives your shoot a stronger direction. It is not about being overly polished—it is about showing your team what you like, what you need, and what matters most to your brand.
Need help creating a mood board? Check out our Studio Resources for more tips and download our free template.
Ready to book your shoot? Contact us or explore our Photography Services today.
