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TongRo-How-to: Create a Mood Board for Stock Photography Projects

Writer's picture: TongRo ImagesTongRo Images

Updated: Jan 17

A mood board serves as a visual reference for a specific project or task, helping to communicate the intended style and atmosphere and supporting a systematic content creation process. When creating mood boards for stock content, they must be designed with a more specific and practical approach.

However, a stock content mood board also needs the flexibility to adapt to variables that may arise during production. So, how can we create and utilize a mood board that is useful and adaptable? This article will address this question by dividing it into two stages: planning and producing stock photography content.


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td03310009134

[Basic Considerations]

1. Theme and Message / Scene Composition

Given that stock content needs to communicate a specific theme and message effectively, the mood board should clearly define these elements. Plan scenes that match the chosen theme and message, and if necessary, break a single theme into multiple sub-themes, preparing various versions of images. Adding a timetable for each theme’s time requirements will help optimize time usage.


2. Color Palette

Colors significantly influence the mood and message of visual media. They should maintain a consistent tone while not being overly restrictive. Additionally, considering the commercial purpose of stock content, it’s crucial to use trendy colors in a balanced way. A harmonious color palette will help strengthen the visual appeal of the content.


3. Photography Techniques

To maintain consistency with the chosen theme and message, the photography techniques should also be stable. Carefully consider which style best suits the theme and plan factors like depth of field, composition, and angles. Lighting, which can be divided into continuous light and strobe lighting, is an essential aspect. Given recent trends, mixing both types can be effective, depending on the mood you want to create.


4. Set Design / Models / Costumes / Props

Set design, costumes, and props are critical elements that reinforce the message of the shoot. The mood board should present specific ideas related to these elements, allowing an intuitive understanding of which style will be pursued and how these elements will be arranged and utilized.


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pc0020692536

[Tips to Minimize Variables on Shooting Day]

1. Prioritize Practical Elements

Unexpected situations or variables can arise on the day of the shoot. To prepare for this, limit the items that can realistically be implemented. Complex set designs often carry a higher risk of complications, to focus on simpler but effective items. When it comes to props and costumes, avoid those with excessive details or items that belong to fast fashion, which quickly fade in popularity.


2. Add Details to Reference Images

Each reference image should explain the elements to emphasize. This way, you can adjust details as necessary on the day of the shoot, making the mood board flexible and adaptable.


In stock content planning, a mood board is an important tool that helps solidify practical yet creative ideas. Therefore, it is essential to carefully plan the basic elements while being prepared for different scenarios that might occur during shooting. The mood board should propose feasible ideas that allow for flexible adjustments when unexpected variables arise.


The following article will cover key considerations for the shooting process.

Stay tuned!

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