When it comes to visual inspiration, Pinterest is one of my go-to tools for moodboarding and brainstorming. As a photographer, I find it incredibly valuable to create boards filled with inspiration that I can refer back to, whether I’m planning a shoot, looking for creative direction, or exploring new concepts. If you know what you’re looking for—whether it’s specific imagery, styles, or ideas—you can easily find it on Pinterest or even across the web and bring it all together in one cohesive place.

Creating Mood Boards and Organizing Ideas

I spend a lot of time curating multiple boards and sections on Pinterest to capture different ideas I’m thinking about. For example, when I was planning a Calvin Klein-inspired shoot, I dedicated about an hour to searching for different CK ads from the 70s to today. I also looked at how other photographers and creatives have drawn inspiration from that iconic minimalist style. This approach allows me to see the evolution of a brand’s visual language and consider how I can interpret that aesthetic in my way.

Using Pinterest for Inspiration, Not Imitation

It’s important to clarify that my intention with these boards isn’t to copy or plagiarize anyone’s work. Instead, it's about informing those I collaborate with—models, stylists, makeup artists—about the vibe or aesthetic I’m envisioning. Pinterest helps in communicating visual ideas more effectively. It’s about drawing inspiration from a wide range of sources and finding ways to make it uniquely mine. There’s little to gain from replicating what’s already in magazines or following trends that can quickly become old and redundant. Visual styles in photography come and go, so trying to mimic someone else’s work is often a fruitless endeavor.

The Benefits of Pinterest for Photographers

1. Moodboarding Made Easy: Pinterest makes it incredibly simple to put together mood boards that capture the essence of what you’re trying to create. With features like board sections, you can even break down complex ideas into more manageable chunks.

2. Discovering New Styles and Techniques: By searching for specific photography styles, eras, or even technical aspects like lighting setups or color palettes, you can discover new ways to approach your work.

3. Collaborative Tool: You can easily share boards with clients or collaborators, ensuring everyone is on the same page before a shoot. It helps in building a visual narrative that everyone can follow and contribute to.

4. Staying Updated with Trends: While I advocate for creating original work, it’s also useful to see what’s trending. You can use Pinterest to gauge the visual trends people are engaging with, but always aim to give your twist.

5. Archiving Your Inspirations: Pinterest is also a great place to archive inspiration you might want to revisit. I’ve got boards for all kinds of shoots, from portrait ideas to landscape compositions, and even abstract concepts. Having all this in one place makes it easier to reference later.

Conclusion: Find Your Unique Voice

In the world of photography, the key is to draw inspiration from a variety of sources and use them to develop your unique voice. Pinterest is a fantastic tool to help photographers do just that—it’s a vast visual library where you can gather, organize, and reflect on what speaks to you creatively. But remember, the goal isn’t to recreate what’s already out there but to use that inspiration to push your creativity further and find new ways to express your vision.

So, if you haven’t already, give Pinterest a try as a creative tool for your next project. And most importantly, don’t be afraid to take what inspires you and make it something that is truly your own.