How to Use Pinterest to Build Your Brand

January 24, 2025

When it comes to building a website that feels authentically you, it all starts with one thing: a clear vision for your brand. But as photographers and artists, describing your style with words can feel like trying to explain a dream you barely remember… frustrating, messy, and full of “you know, kind of like…” moments.

That’s where Pinterest comes in. It’s not just a place for recipe ideas and DIY hacks, it’s a visual playground for defining your brand’s vibe. By creating a curated Pinterest board, you’re essentially building a roadmap for your website design. Colors, textures, fonts, and photos all come together to tell the story of your brand and create a design that feels so right.

In this article, we’ll break down exactly how to use Pinterest to define your brand style and lay the foundation for a website you’ll absolutely love.


How To Start Your Board

  1. Go to Pinterest.com and log in or create an account.
  2. Create a board and call it “Website Inspo,” “Brand Ideas” or something similar.
  3. Optional: Change the privacy setting to secret if you don’t want anyone else to see what you’re working on
  4. If you’re working with a designer, don’t forget to add them as a collaborator! This is especially important if you are using a secret board, as they won’t be able to see it unless you add them.

What to Pin: Building Your Board

One of the most important parts of my design process is creating a Pinterest board full of inspiration for your brand and website. Think of it as a visual love letter to your vibe. This step is important for getting us totally in sync with your vision – what you want your brand to feel like and the message you want to send.

Now, before you dive into pinning, here’s the key: focus on the feel of the designs you love, not necessarily copying exact layouts or logos. It’s all about the mood, the elements, and the overall vibe that speak to you.

• Don’t over think it! Pin what speaks to you, just go with your gut.

• Avoid pinning trends just because they’re trendy.

• Be authentic, not perfect. The beauty is in the mess!

Don’t be afraid to experimentSometimes the best brand elements come from things you didn’t expect to love.

Think beyond websites – this is about your vibe. If it catches your eye or makes you think, “That’s SO me,” pin it! Here are some ideas to get you started:

📌 Colors That Speak to Your Soul

Think about the shades that make your heart sing. Are you drawn to soft, pastel hues, or do bold jewel tones feel more like you? Pin color palettes, paint swatches, or even photos with a mood you love. This will help shape your website’s overall tone and energy.

I could literally stare at color palettes all day long, they’re one of my favorite things to pin!

📌 Typography You’re Obsessed With

Whether it’s playful handwritten fonts, clean and modern sans-serifs, or something with vintage charm, pin examples of typography that resonate. Think logos, magazine covers, or even signs you spot in real life. Your website’s fonts will set the tone for your brand’s personality.

📌 Photography That Tells Your Story

As photographers, it goes without saying that photos are a huge part of our visual brand. Pin images that feel like they belong in your world. This doesn’t necessarily mean your own photos (though you could pin some of your favorite images that best represent what you do!), it could be dreamy lifestyle shots, dramatic editorial photography, or light and airy scenes. Don’t limit yourself to photos of people… think textures, objects, or landscapes, too.

📌 Home Decor That Matches Your Aesthetic

Home decor is a goldmine for uncovering your personal style. Whether it’s modern minimalist furniture, boho chic wall art, or quirky vintage finds, these choices give insight into the vibe you love and want to bring to your website. If you’re a studio photographer you might even consider pinning photos of dream studios that match your vibe.

📌 Patterns, Textures, and Details

Think beyond the big picture and dive into the details. Pin patterns like florals, geometrics, modern abstracts or watercolors that catch your eye. Add textures like marble, linen, or wood grain that feel in sync with your style. These small elements can make a big impact on your website’s look.

📌 Websites You Can’t Stop Staring At

Finally, pin any website designs that make you swoon. What do you love about them? Maybe it’s the clean layout, bold color choices, or fun navigation. Keep in mind that we won’t be copying them (hello, copyrights) – this is about finding inspiration to craft something uniquely yours.

If it makes you stop scrolling and smile, add it to your board! Every pin helps paint a clearer picture of the brand and website you’re dreaming of. There’s no “wrong” answer here—just let your creativity flow!


Analyze Your Pinterest Board

Once you’ve filled your Pinterest board with all your creative inspo, step away for a bit. Go grab a coffee, take a walk, binge-watch something mindless (because, hey, balance), and then come back to your board the next day with fresh eyes.

At this point, you’ll start to see what’s truly aligned with your vision and what doesn’t quite fit anymore. Do a quick scroll (don’t dwell or overthink) and remove the things that feel out of place. Let your instincts guide you.

Now that you’ve trimmed down your board, take a step back and look at the bigger picture. This is where it all starts to click. Like a puzzle coming together, all those individual pins will form a cohesive image that represents your brand.

This is the moment when you’ll start to say, “Oh yeah, this is so me” as everything aligns.


Real Client Case Studies: Pinterest to Brand

Want to see how this Pinterest magic really works? Let’s check out a few real client examples! By pinning what caught their eye, these photographers were able to uncover the perfect visual vibe for their brand, and we turned that into a website that feels so them.

Fairyography

Fairyography (now Heather Larkin Photography) uses the tagline “Let me show you the color I see in your life.” This was something that Heather really wanted reflected in her brand. Bold colors, whimsical fairy portraits, and a touch of elegance.

Looking at a small piece of her Pinterest board, its easy to see how this website design came to life!

Kimberlin Gray Photography

Amanda’s Pinterest board took her completely by surprise! She did not expect for peacock blue to become such a big part of her brand, but along with some gold stars it was the most perfect thing to complete her existing brand.


Building your board will make it so much easier to see your style and to start visualizing the website of your dreams. So grab a cup of coffee (or wine, no judgment!) and start pinning!

Ready to turn your Pinterest inspiration into a stunning Showit photography website? Let’s chat!

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