Moonrise Kingdom (2012) was the first Wes Anderson film I ever saw. Ever since then I’ve been a fan, discovering his back catalogue of unique storytelling using visually distinctive film-imagery.
Now that the Design Museum has recently opened a retrospective of his work, I wanted to examine what makes his films stand out, and how photographers can use his distinctive aesthetic in their own imagery.
This seems particularly timely as Anderson is renowned for meticulously employing traditional film techniques including stop motion, film sets, hand-painted backgrounds and models which bend perspective through visual trickery. In an age where the world is divided by the controversial use of AI within the creative landscape, and CGI is often the go-to method for special effects, it’s refreshing to see a director so resolutely committed to using these conventional techniques, to such great success.
It’s understandable that photographers and image makers would be influenced by the Wes Anderson aesthetic. I would even venture to say that nearly every frame of his films could stand alone as a successful image in its own right. I want to explore the key elements that make this possible and share some tips to inspire you to make your own Anderson-esque photos.
Colour Palettes
One of the major elements that make Wes Anderson films so distinctive is his skilful use of carefully curated colour palettes. These palettes heavily feature pastel hues, sparse and repeated tones, and vivid contrasts. As well as being a stylistic choice, his use of colour influences the moods he wants particular scenes or specific storylines to evoke in his audiences.
Those looking to create their own images in this style could seek out compositions that include muted, retro tones of browns, oranges and blues which are employed to reflect melancholy in The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), or pastel pinks, deep purples and reds which serve to enhance the story-book quality found in The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014).
The most important thing to remember is to use a minimal number of colours which are inherently retro and echo the analogue age. Anderson’s films are undeniably nostalgic, almost dreamlike and often have mid-century visual themes.
For more colour palette inspo, check out our muted colours collection here.
Composition
Anderson’s consistent use of symmetry and tableau compositions is renowned, and these techniques are employed for a number of reasons. They convey an understated sense of whimsical surrealism which in turn emphasise the story-telling element of his films. We are forced to keep in mind that the films are stories, sometimes narrated by a central character. As such, how much we deem as ‘accurate’ is up to us. These perfectly-framed scenes give Anderson’s films an unusual and amusing self-awareness of the degree of fiction found within the storylines.
To create your own images in this style, you would need to spot or set up scenes which employ this same highly composed look, and if you can incorporate symmetry into your shot then all the better!
Vintage Vibes
There is an undeniable retro feel to Anderson’s films. At the same time, they manage to remain untethered to any specific era. This is achieved through the use of traditional film techniques, inclusion of retro tech, interiors, costumes and crate-digger soundtracks.
Props for his films are often thrifted and sourced through antique warehouses and second-hand shops to ensure accuracy and authenticity are maintained in his imaginary worlds, alongside hand-crafted props made by specialists.
The continued use of symmetry and repetition can even be found in his distinctive retro costume design, with many characters seen in uniform – the hotel uniforms worn by the lead characters in The Grand Budapest Hotel, the cult-status red beanie hats from The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004) or the classic adidas tracksuits worn by both children and parent in The Royal Tenenbaums.
If you’re trying to create photographs in the Wes Anderson style, you’ll need to avoid including anything that could make an image look too modern. Think 1960s-1980s fashion and nostalgic uniforms, vintage cars, old tech like record players and vintage telephones, interesting architecture from bygone eras and signs with retro typefaces (if you can find a sign with Futura typeface you’re onto a winner!)
2D
The last, but equally important visual feature to consider for those going for that Wes Anderson look in their images, is the effect of a two-dimensional flatness. Almost every frame of Anderson’s films could stand alone as a picture, and this, in part, is down to the way storylines are made to look like story books. The main technique used to achieve this look is planimetric composition.
Planimetric composition involves the placement of the camera at a 90-degree angle (in Anderson’s case the camera will also be at eye level) in line with the focus of the shot, resulting in each spatial layer (background, midground and foreground) appearing as flat planes and thus creating contrast between the main subjects and the scene behind them. Subjects are positioned in clear parallel lines and characters move mostly in cardinal directions.
Images successfully imbuing the Wes Anderson aesthetic would often be taken at eye-level, with the subject head on; showing a view framed as the photographer would naturally see it. Using a wide-angle lens would also help achieve the look, as Anderson often uses wide-angle lenses along with anamorphic glass to compress a wide aspect ratio into a standard film frame, giving shallow depth of field which in turn gives scenes a ‘dollhouse’ effect.
As one of the most distinctive and visually engaging directors of our time, it’s no surprise that many have been inspired by Wes Anderson’s aesthetics. From music videos to fashion lines, you’ll be in good company if
you employ this style yourself. Hopefully you’re now feeling inspired to go and take your own Wes Anderson-style images.
If you’re already a fan, be sure to check out his exhibition ‘Wes Anderson: The Archives‘ at the Design Museum running from 21st November 2025 – 26th July 2026. If you’re yet to discover his work, I highly
recommend checking out any of his brilliant films. I can’t tell you my favourite as it’s too hard to pick, but The Grand Budapest Hotel is definitely up there for me!
For more inspiration you can check out my curated collection of Anderson-esque imagery here, and you can join in the fun by visiting the dedicated Accidently Wes Anderson website here.