She Sent Me a Pinterest Board… and We Created THIS!
Vanessa Joy is a wedding photographer and educator helping photographers grow profitable businesses.
Who This Blog is For
This blog is for photographers who want to learn how to take a client’s inspiration (like a Pinterest board) and transform it into unique, professional photos. It’s also helpful for brides who are wondering how to communicate their vision clearly to their photographer.
The Problem It Solves
Pinterest is amazing for inspiration, but it can also overwhelm photographers or set unrealistic expectations for couples. The key is knowing how to take inspiration without copying — creating something personal and elevated instead.
Turning a Pinterest Board Into a Shoot Plan
When my client sent me her Pinterest board, it was filled with dreamy, romantic ideas. Instead of trying to duplicate every single photo, I studied the board for patterns:
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Was there a consistent color palette?
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Did the lighting lean toward natural golden tones or dramatic flash?
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Were the poses more candid or editorial?
By analyzing themes instead of individual images, I could design a shoot that felt like her board, while still making it unique to her.
Inspiration vs. Copying
Photographers: your clients may not know the right terminology to explain what they want. That’s why visual inspiration is so powerful. But remember — the goal isn’t to re-create someone else’s photo. The goal is to capture the essence of what they love and make it personal.
For couples: sending your photographer a Pinterest board is a great idea! Just make sure you trust them to interpret your vision rather than duplicate it.
The Final Result
By the end of the shoot, we had photos that matched the romantic, dreamy aesthetic of the Pinterest board, but with a personal twist that made them truly hers. That’s the magic — using inspiration as a springboard for creativity, not a box to stay inside of.
Takeaway for Photographers
If a client sends you a Pinterest board:
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Look for themes, not single images.
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Identify colors, moods, and styles.
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Use it as inspiration, but put your own creative stamp on it.
That’s how you elevate your client experience and ensure they get photos that feel authentic, not cookie-cutter.
