Yes, We All Love a Mood Board (But Let’s Talk About the Fine Print)

Reality Check!

Trust me. I get it. Nothing hits quite like a dreamy, well-curated mood board. The grainy film stills. The sun-kissed model sipping a green juice. The cloud couch in an all-beige condo with a single tulip in a ceramic vase. OMG yes. It’s the language of aesthetic ambition, and it's everywhere right now. We all want it to be our real life. It’s so… idealic. And it gets great engagement, too.

Moodboard-style content is having a moment, especially on Instagram, Substack and TikTok. Creators and brands are leaning hard into aspirational visuals, dreamy collages and lifestyle edits. And while the vibe is 10/10, the legal side? Not so cute.

Here's the Thing Nobody is Talking About:

If you’re pulling images or videos from Pinterest or other creator accounts, and repurposing them for your website, your social media, or your brand’s visual identity, you could be setting yourself up for a copyright violation. Yes, even if you “found it on Pinterest.” Yes, even if you only used it once. And yes, even if you gave credit in the caption.

The risk? You can be fined up to $150,000 per image (!!!) in damages for copyright infringement. Per. Image. Yikes.

Will it actually happen to you? Honestly, probably not. But has it happened? Absolutely, yes.

We've seen brands (even small ones!) get hit with hefty fines for using photos they didn’t have the proper rights to. It’s not just about doing the right thing, it’s about protecting your business. There are too many stunning, affordable (and even free) stock libraries out there to risk it.

So instead of pulling from someone else’s Instagram or mood board, try sourcing visuals from some of my favorites.

Our Go-To Stock Image Sources:

  • Vault Stock – Elevated, fashion-forward, and feels like Pinterest without the risk. This is not a free site, but I personally think it’s worth the investment.

  • My Vanilla Gallery – Soft, minimal, romantic videos with a lifestyle focus. Feels very UGC-esque.

  • Unsplash and Unsplash+ – Great for high-res editorial imagery. Just note: Unsplash+ has additional licensing limitations (like no digital templates).

  • Pexels – Easy to use, solid quality, and perfect for filling visual gaps on a budget.

The Takeaway?

Make all the mood boards your heart desires. Curate the vibe. Set the tone. But when it comes to visuals that represent your brand… play it smart. Use images you have the right to use. It’s not just about looking good. It’s about building something sustainable and professional.

Want help creating a visual direction that's 100% original and on-brand? That’s kind of our thing.

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The Aesthetic Trap: Why Pretty Brands Don’t Always Perform