Building a moodboard

A moodboard is a collection of reference material that defines a consistent visual style. This guide shows you how to create and use moodboards to achieve cohesive, repeatable results.

What is a moodboard?

A moodboard is a curated collection of:

• Visual references (images, screenshots, artwork)
• Style keywords and descriptors
• Lighting setups and compositions
• Color palettes and moods
• Successful prompt patterns

Goal: Create a reference you can return to for consistent aesthetic across multiple generations.

Why use a moodboard?

Consistency

• Generate content that feels cohesive
• Maintain a signature style
• Create series that work together visually

Efficiency

• Reduce trial and error
• Spend fewer credits on testing
• Faster iteration when you know what works

Learning

• Identify patterns in what you like
• Understand which keywords produce desired results
• Build expertise in specific aesthetics

Creating your moodboard

Step 1: Gather inspiration

Collect examples of:

• Lighting styles you like
• Compositional approaches that work
• Moods and atmospheres you want
• Color palettes that appeal to you

Sources:

• Your own successful generations
• Photography references
• Film stills
• Artwork in desired style

Step 2: Analyze what works

For each reference, identify:

• Lighting type: Soft, dramatic, natural, neon
• Color palette: Warm, cool, monochrome, vibrant
• Composition: Close-up, full body, angle, framing
• Mood: Sensual, playful, intense, romantic
• Style: Photorealistic, artistic, cinematic

Step 3: Extract keywords

Convert visual elements to prompt keywords:

Example analysis:

• Visual: Warm, soft-focused boudoir photo
• Keywords: soft lighting, warm tones, intimate atmosphere, professional boudoir photography, gentle focus, romantic

Step 4: Test and refine

Generate using your extracted keywords:

1. Start with core style keywords
2. Generate and compare to reference
3. Adjust keywords to get closer
4. Document what works

Step 5: Document your style

Create a written guide for yourself:

MY SIGNATURE STYLE

Lighting: Soft golden hour or window light
Mood: Intimate and sensual, never aggressive
Composition: Close-ups and portraits, rarely full body
Quality: Professional photography, 4K, sharp focus
Colors: Warm tones, avoid cool blues

Template prompt:
"[Subject] in [clothing], [setting], soft golden hour lighting, intimate sensual atmosphere, close-up portrait, professional photography, warm tones, 4K"

Using your moodboard

For new generations

Reference your moodboard to:

1. Choose appropriate style keywords
2. Set lighting that matches your aesthetic
3. Use composition approaches you've validated
4. Apply tested quality enhancers

For consistency

When creating related content:

• Use the same style keywords across all generations
• Maintain consistent lighting approach
• Keep composition style uniform
• Repeat successful patterns

Example moodboards

"Soft and romantic"

Visual references: Boudoir photography, warm-toned intimate portraits

Core keywords:

• Lighting: soft window light, golden hour, warm glow
• Mood: romantic, intimate, gentle, sensual
• Style: professional boudoir photography, soft focus
• Colors: warm tones, peachy, golden

Template:

[Subject], soft window lighting, romantic intimate atmosphere, professional boudoir photography, warm peachy tones, gentle, 4K

"Bold and dramatic"

Visual references: Film noir, high-contrast portraits, dramatic photography

Core keywords:

• Lighting: dramatic side lighting, high contrast, rim lighting
• Mood: intense, powerful, bold, striking
• Style: cinematic, film noir aesthetic, dramatic photography
• Colors: high contrast, deep shadows, bold

Template:

[Subject], dramatic side lighting, intense atmosphere, cinematic film noir aesthetic, high contrast, bold, professional photography, 4K

"Bright and playful"

Visual references: Bright editorial photography, colorful fashion shoots

Core keywords:

• Lighting: bright natural light, well-lit, sunny
• Mood: playful, cheerful, fun, energetic
• Style: fashion photography, editorial, vibrant
• Colors: vibrant colors, bright, colorful

Template:

[Subject], bright natural lighting, playful cheerful mood, fashion editorial photography, vibrant colors, energetic, 4K

Evolving your moodboard

As you learn and grow:

Add new discoveries

• Successful keyword combinations
• Unexpected results that worked well
• New lighting or composition approaches

Remove what doesn't work

• Keywords that consistently fail
• Combinations that create issues
• Overcomplicated patterns

Create variants

Develop moodboard "versions":

• Moodboard A: Soft romantic boudoir
• Moodboard B: Dramatic cinematic noir
• Moodboard C: Bright playful fashion

Switch between them based on your current mood or project.

Sharing and collaboration

If sharing with friends or community:

• Document your keywords clearly
• Include example prompts
• Note what makes your style unique
• Credit inspiration sources if applicable

Tools for organizing

While you can use any method, consider:

• Text document: Simple list of keywords and templates
• Spreadsheet: Organize by category (lighting, mood, style)
• Visual board: Screenshots with keyword annotations
• Notes app: Quick reference on mobile

FAQs

Do I need a moodboard?

Not required, but helpful if you want consistent results or generate content regularly.

Can I have multiple moodboards?

Absolutely. Create different boards for different moods, styles, or projects.

How often should I update my moodboard?

Whenever you discover something new that works or want to evolve your style.

Related guides

• Prompt writing basics
• Style keywords and examples
• Iterative workflow and variations