Using Moodboards in Studio Portrait Photography
By Bethany Ellen
Every portrait session tells a story. For photographers, it's about more than just clicking the shutter at the right moment. It's about crafting an experience: one that captures emotion, personality, and meaning in every detail. That’s especially true for newborn photography, and I’ve considered it a privilege to learn its art and tell these stories.
Even more so as my oldest friends start having kids of their own. Say hey to the newest edition to my gaggle: Lily!
(Editor’s note: instead of saying nieces and nephew, I call them my gaggle of silly geese. I’m the head silly goose in charge of course).
Styling is a delicate balance of aesthetics and sentiment. When I began planning Lily’s session, I knew I wanted every frame to reflect the fun of her mom’s love of florals with something timeless that they would treasure forever. From our first conversations to the final images, we intentionally designed a session that would feature those timeless images they’d love forever and fulfill my creative needs (because… I love to sarcastically tell my clients that it’s all about my creative fulfillment). We started with something deceptively simple: the backdrop.In this post, I’ll walk you through the process of styling a portrait session with a backdrop as our foundation—starting with mood boards, exploring inspiration, making wardrobe and prop choices, and ultimately transforming an idea into photographic magic. This is the story behind Lily’s newborn portraits and how we brought her mother’s love of florals to life through the lens.
The Importance of Intention in Styling
Before I even start thinking about colors or textures, I always begin with intention. What is the emotion we want the images to convey? What season of life are we celebrating? What speaks to the subject or their family?With newborns, that intention often centers around softness, warmth, and connection. But for Lily, we also wanted to weave in her mom’s love of flowers. It’s something that has always been a part of her personality since I knew her in college. It was no surprise to me when we went with “baby in bloom” for her baby shower theme, and it’s just so uniquely them. That detail gave me my anchor. I didn’t need to overcomplicate it. I just needed to lean into florals in a way that felt meaningful, not generic. That’s where a well-chosen backdrop can become a powerful styling tool.
Choosing the Backdrop: Why “Lilac Dreams” Was Perfect
Once we landed on a floral theme, I began narrowing down backdrops. I browsed through dozens, but the moment I saw Lilac Dreams by BackgroundTown, I paused. It had this dreamy, ethereal quality. I loved the muted lilacs, soft lighting, and painterly textures that offered both depth and delicacy.
More importantly, it didn’t overpower the subject. Some floral backdrops can be too literal or busy. Lilac Dreams was different. It hinted at florals without being too sharp or graphic. It blended painterly romanticism with a gentle color palette, which made it ideal for a newborn.When I showed Lily’s mom the backdrop, her eyes lit up. That was when I knew we’d found the right one.
From Inspiration to Mood Board
Mood boards are one of my favorite parts of the process. They allow you to visually explore how all the elements—colors, textures, poses, props, lighting—will come together. Using moodboards in studio portrait photography not only keeps your styling on track but also helps communicate your vision clearly to clients before the session even begins.For Lily’s session, I pulled together inspiration from a variety of sources: soft lavender tones, vintage floral fabrics, fresh spring blooms, and even classical oil paintings. I included wardrobe ideas like hand-knitted bonnets and lace wraps, images of garden-inspired florals, and a few sample photos using similar backdrops.
The mood board served as our visual blueprint. It kept us grounded in our theme, but it also gave us creative freedom. We didn’t need to match it exactly. We just needed to carry the mood.
Coordinating Wardrobe and Props
When working with a printed backdrop, it’s crucial that wardrobe and props harmonize rather than compete. For Lilac Dreams, that meant soft, neutral tones and textures that would complement the purples and florals without blending in too much.We chose a few different looks for Lily:A soft lavender knit swaddle for cozy, close-up shotsA lavender wrap that echoed the backdrop’s hues without being too matchyA delicate floral headband with tiny silk blooms in ivory and blushWe avoided anything too bright, patterned, or modern. The goal was to create a timeless look that felt cohesive with the dreamy background.For props, we kept things minimal- well. As minimal as I’ll let my brain go. I placed Lily in a vintage pram surrounded by fake florals we keep at the studio. The backdrop was doing a lot of the visual work, so we didn’t need to over-style. In newborn photography, less is often more, but I love playing with textures.
Setting the Scene in Studio
Lighting plays a big role in how a backdrop appears on camera. Too much harsh light, and you lose the subtle tones. Too little, and the image falls flat. For Lily’s session, I used soft, diffused lighting. We used a constant light at camera left. This helped preserve the painterly quality of the backdrop and brought out the richness in her skin tones.I also paid close attention to placement. Where Lily was positioned against the backdrop affected how the florals interacted with the composition. By adjusting her slightly to the right or left, we could bring in or pull back certain elements of the backdrop design, almost like composing a painting.And then came the most important part: taking our time. Newborns need breaks. Their comfort comes first. We allowed Lily to guide the pace of the session, pausing to soothe or swaddle as needed. That calm rhythm contributed to the peaceful feel of the final images.
Editing with Purpose
Post-processing is where everything comes together. I approach editing with the same intentionality I bring to styling. For Lily’s session, that meant softening highlights, enhancing the backdrop’s painterly texture, and making sure skin tones stayed natural and warm.One of the great things about high-quality printed backdrops like Lilac Dreams is that they photograph beautifully with minimal need for digital cleanup. The tones were consistent, the resolution sharp, and the colors stayed true in-camera.I did subtle retouching on the baby’s skin (newborns often have little flakes or redness) but I kept it light. The goal was to honor her natural beauty, not create perfection.
The Final Gallery
When I delivered the final gallery to Lily’s family, I included a mix of wide shots, close-ups, and detail images. Some showed off the backdrop fully, others used it more as a soft frame. In every image, I wanted the viewer to feel the quiet magic of that day—the love, the stillness, and the joy of new life.Her mom’s reaction was everything I’d hoped for. She saw herself, her baby, and her love of florals reflected back in a way that felt personal and true. That’s the power of intention. That’s the power of styling with story in mind.
Tips for Styling Your Own Backdrop Session
Whether you’re photographing a newborn, a senior, or a family, here are a few tips I’ve learned from styling sessions like Lily’s:1. Start with the StoryAsk yourself (or your client): What feeling do you want the images to evoke? Let that guide your styling decisions, from backdrop to wardrobe.2. Choose Backdrops That Inspire, Not OverpowerLook for backdrops that offer visual interest without taking attention away from your subject. Painterly or lightly textured designs often work beautifully.3. Build a Mood BoardIt doesn’t have to be fancy. Even a simple Pinterest board or collage of images can help you clarify your theme and communicate your vision.4. Match Tones, Not PatternsCoordinate wardrobe and props with the backdrop’s color palette, but avoid duplicating patterns or textures too closely.5. Let Lighting Do the WorkUse soft, directional light to bring out the backdrop’s depth. Avoid flat lighting that can make everything look one-dimensional.6. Be Flexible and PresentEspecially with babies, adaptability is key. Have a plan, but stay open to the spontaneous moments—they often become the favorites.7. Edit with ConsistencyLet your edits enhance the tone and theme of the session. Keep skin tones natural, avoid heavy filters, and preserve the beauty of the original backdrop.
Why Styling Matters
In a world where anyone can snap a photo on their phone, styling is what elevates professional photography into an art form. It’s how we tell stories, create atmosphere, and invite emotion.Backdrops like Lilac Dreams aren’t just scenery. They’re tools. When used thoughtfully, they help photographers build a world around their subject. One where a mother’s love of flowers becomes part of her baby’s first portrait. One where intention, creativity, and care turn a studio session into something unforgettable.Lily’s portraits are now hanging in her nursery. They’re not just photos, they’re pieces of her story. And for me, they’re a reminder of why styling with heart always leads to magic.
In Closing
Just by changing out your backdrop and styling, you can create so many different moods and looks for your clients. For this shoot, Background Town’s Plaster Wall White Window was the perfect choice for creating a dramatic yet modern maternity portrait. It’s a powerful way to learn how to style earth tones and texture in a way that elevates your work into timeless fine art maternity photos. Background Town has become an essential resource for every studio session I do and for every look I want to achieve. Their pricing, quality, and design options are truly top-notch.Best of luck in your session styling journey!
MEET BETHANY
Bethany Ellen is an award-winning maternity photographer based in Cincinnati, Ohio, known for her bold, high-fashion approach to capturing the timeless beauty of motherhood. Since 2015, she has dedicated her career to helping expecting mothers feel empowered, elegant, and celebrated through artistic, full-service photography experiences. At her Cincinnati studio, Bethany offers more than just photos—she creates visual art that reflects the unique fire within each woman. Her signature style blends drama, artistic expression, and authenticity, with a mission to build lifelong client relationships through unforgettable sessions. In addition to her portrait work, Bethany is passionate about mentoring fellow photographers. She holds the Photographic Craftsman and Certified Professional Photographer designations through Professional Photographers of America and frequently speaks at national conferences. Her work has been featured in multiple publications, and she is the winner of Canon and Sal Cincotta’s The Creator Series, Season One.