How To Use Pinterest To Plan For Your Photo Shoot | Emily McGonigle Photography

Most people have a Pinterest account now-a-days, and while I admittedly don’t use it as often as I should, it is definitely a great place for inspiration.

It can also be a photographer’s worst nightmare.

The phrase, “I want a photo exactly like this one I found on Pinterest” is often met with a stiff smile that masks an inner frustration at stifled creativity. Hearing that is about as much fun as hearing, “I want to be photographed on a train track.”

SO… How should you use Pinterest when working with your photographer? Here are a list of Do’s and Don’ts to go by:

1. DO pin photos that convey the type of mood or feeling you want your images to convey

Abi Brown | Abi's mood board consisted of very fashion based images, with a magazine feel. Abi also has a very unique sense of style that she wanted to emphasize in her photos!

2. DON’T ask your photographer to create a carbon copy of an image that you found on Pinterest. You hired your photographer for their artistic vision, and style of photography, so allow them to do the thing you're paying them for. Furthermore, your photographer may not even be able to execute the images exactly anyway, due to the fact that many images are dependent on lighting and weather conditions not controllable by the photographer.

Hannah Wilmes | Hannah's mood board had a very airy, bohemian feel to it. We got really lucky the day of her shoot, since the weather and light were perfect for more ethereal, backlit images.

3. DO pin photos of inspiration of the types of locations you like.

4. DO pin photos of hair, clothing, and makeup styles that you like if you’re going to have a hair and makeup artist on set — But just like with photography, know that these images are just for inspiration and will most likely not be recreated exactly. Hair and makeup are an art of their own. ;)

Tiffany Perea | Tiffany's mood board consisted of TONS of retro looks. Tiffany loves the retro style, so she had a lot of clothing, hair, and makeup looks pinned to her board reflecting that.

5. DON'T pin photos that are indicative of a fad (like that viral photo going around of the dinosaur chasing the wedding party. -- That was hilarious, don't get me wrong, but ask your photographer to help you create something awesome, unique, and specific to *you*... and maybe you'll get the chance to go viral too ;) )

6. DO post prop ideas that are unique to you. Everyone pins suitcases/balloons/chalkboards/traintracks/etc. Think about who you are and if you're using props during your session, pin prop ideas that are unique and relevant to your interests and personality.

Kathryn Campbell | Kathryn is a ballet dancer, so she pinned ideas surrounding ballet. I was thrilled to incorporate her pointe shoes into some of her photos!

Every photographer is going to be slightly different in their methods, so this list isn't the end all be all of Pinterest mood boards, but I think it's safe to say that approaching your mood boards this way will allow for the most creativity in your session, and yield some great results!

If you have any other ideas of Pinterest Do's or Don'ts that you would add, leave them in the comments! :)

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Emily McGonigle Photography is a Nashville Portrait Photographer, and can be contacted for booking inquiries here.