How vision-boarding helps me plan photography sessions (and when I don’t use it)
Discover how I use vision boarding to plan creative photography sessions, spark inspiration, and collaborate with clients for unique and meaningful photoshoots.
Vision boarding has become one of my favourite tools for planning photography sessions, sparking creativity, and getting into the right mindset before a shoot. Essentially, it’s a way of gathering visual inspiration — think scrolling through Pinterest or Instagram, saving images that make me say, “Yes!” It’s less about copying specific shots and more about getting inspired and finding creative direction.
But while vision boarding can be incredibly helpful, it isn’t always necessary. I’ve learned when it works for me and when it doesn’t.
What vision boarding looks like for me
My approach to vision boarding is simple: I scroll Instagram and Pinterest while keeping the specific session in mind. I save any image that grabs my attention — whether it’s the pose, lighting, or even just the vibe.
I like to do this just one or two days before a session because it keeps the ideas fresh in my mind and gets me excited for what’s to come. This is especially important since I photograph a wide variety of sessions. Vision boarding helps me reset my creative headspace for each type of shoot, whether it's an intimate branding session or a high-energy engagement session.
How I vision board
My vision-boarding process is straightforward but effective. I keep it simple so I can focus on capturing inspiration without getting bogged down in unnecessary details:
Gather inspiration: I open Instagram and Pinterest and start saving or screenshotting any photos that match the vibe I’m aiming for. I don’t hold back — I save as many as catch my attention, whether it’s because of lighting, posing, composition, or general energy.
Edit the collection: After gathering a bunch of photos, I go through them and remove anything repetitive or that doesn’t feel quite right for the session.
Organize the images: I sort the photos into clumps based on similarities — sometimes by shot type, like details versus wide shots, or by importance, such as must-capture ideas versus general inspiration for the feel of the session.
Create a quick reference: To keep everything accessible during the session, I typically screenshot the album of saved images directly from my phone. This gives me a simple “at-a-glance” reference without spending too much time on formatting a formal board.
Sharing the vision with clients
Right before the session, I love to review the vision board with my clients so we can discuss what works, what doesn’t, and what excites them most. It’s a collaborative way to start the shoot on the same creative page.
If a client already has a specific vision, I encourage them to send their inspiration photos ahead of time. That way, I can make sure we show up aligned and ready to create something amazing together.
When vision boarding is helpful
There are certain types of sessions where I find vision boarding invaluable:
When I’m shooting something different or outside my comfort zone.
For example, I recently shot an engagement session in a bar — something I hadn’t done in years. Vision boarding helped me blend my current style with creative ideas specific to that setting.When clients want a particularly unique or artistic session.
Whether it’s a session with bold flash photography, strong lighting contrasts, or unconventional poses, vision boards help me prepare and ensure I don’t show up without a plan.Branding sessions.
These shoots often require a more marketing-focused mindset, so vision boarding helps me craft visuals that align with the client’s brand while staying true to my style.
When vision boarding doesn’t work (for me)
While I love vision boarding, there are times when it just doesn’t fit:
Weddings.
Weddings are beautifully unpredictable. Rather than relying on a vision board, I prefer to stay present and adapt to the flow of the day. I often show up with a few vague ideas in mind, but I never force them — the best moments happen naturally.Family and newborn sessions.
Sessions involving kids tend to work best when there’s only a loose plan. Letting children take the lead often results in more authentic smiles and relaxed parents. Vision boards are only helpful in these cases if I need inspiration or want to share example photos for a certain vibe.
The pros and cons of vision boarding
Pros:
Inspiration on demand: Vision boarding helps me tap into creative ideas for posing, lighting, and composition.
Fresh ideas: It pushes me to think outside my usual style and incorporate elements I may not have considered.
Visual guidance for clients: Clients who are shy or unsure in front of the camera often find it helpful to see posing ideas.
Cons:
Disrupting the natural flow: If I’m too focused on specific shots, I might miss the beautiful in-between moments.
Less connection with clients: I’m a connection-focused photographer, and I find that if I’m too caught up in capturing a checklist of shots, there’s less room for genuine interactions to unfold naturally.
Limits originality: Sometimes, it’s better to let inspiration come straight from within rather than relying on existing images.
Why vision boarding is still a fun way to get inspired
While vision boarding isn’t something I do for every session, it’s still a valuable tool that helps me show up feeling excited and prepared for shoots that require a little extra creative planning. It’s a fun practice that gets my creative juices flowing, ensuring I bring my best energy to sessions when it matters most.
Let’s bring our creative visions to life
Whether you have a clear vision in mind or want to collaborate on something new, I’d love to help capture your story. If you're excited to create something meaningful and beautiful together, reach out — let’s bring those creative ideas to life and book your session!