Flat Lay Photos: Pictures of Flatlays

Flatlay photography is an easy and creative way to showcase groups of products, give a stunning snapshot of a work space, or just showcase thematic elements in an aesthetically rich way.

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yoga mat flatlay with laptop and water bottle

Yoga Mat Flatlay With Laptop And Water Bottle


yellow card and a red and gold passport flatlay

Yellow Card And A Red And Gold Passport Flatlay


top made of pearls on a pink background

Top Made Of Pearls On A Pink Background


clear blue lake by forest

Clear Blue Lake By Forest


happy birthday flatlay

Happy Birthday Flatlay


bright party decor

Bright Party Decor


lined notebook with a cellphone resting on it

Lined Notebook With A Cellphone Resting On It


star anise and cinnamon sticks

Star Anise And Cinnamon Sticks


veggies cutting board grill tools

Veggies Cutting Board Grill Tools


flatlay of painting supplies and books with dried flowers

Flatlay Of Painting Supplies And Books With Dried Flowers


flatlay of a open book surrounded by fresh fruit on white silk

Flatlay Of A Open Book Surrounded By Fresh Fruit On White Silk


flatlay of makeup brushes and makeup on a black plate

Flatlay Of Makeup Brushes And Makeup On A Black Plate


candy for halloween

Candy For Halloween


two sets of barber scissors

Two Sets Of Barber Scissors


white tiles spell out self love club

White Tiles Spell Out Self Love Club


holiday gift wrapping

Holiday Gift Wrapping


a selection of naturally made soaps

A Selection Of Naturally Made Soaps


cheese and crackers

Cheese And Crackers


flatlay of makeup brush on eyeshadow and lip colors

Flatlay Of Makeup Brush On Eyeshadow And Lip Colors


orange rubiks cube camera and hard drive

Orange Rubiks Cube Camera And Hard Drive


flatlay of a camera rubiks cube and hard drive

Flatlay Of A Camera Rubiks Cube And Hard Drive


an invite lays surrounded by soft pink fabric

An Invite Lays Surrounded By Soft Pink Fabric


slices of homemade pizza with olives on a green plate

Slices Of Homemade Pizza With Olives On A Green Plate


pumpkin dish & treats

Pumpkin Dish & Treats


writing in journal

Writing In Journal


flatlay of flame grilled steak and ribeye

Flatlay Of Flame Grilled Steak And Ribeye


flatlay of orange objects in a line

Flatlay Of Orange Objects In A Line


flatlay of clean paint brushes on a black surface

Flatlay Of Clean Paint Brushes On A Black Surface


colorful candy in two rows on a white surface

Colorful Candy In Two Rows On A White Surface


colorful beaded bracelets on a beige background

Colorful Beaded Bracelets On A Beige Background


eight bagels on a silver metal cooling rack

Eight Bagels On A Silver Metal Cooling Rack


these colorful clothes pegs will help you get organized

These Colorful Clothes Pegs Will Help You Get Organized


cyber monday savings

Cyber Monday Savings


flat lay of products on blue

Flat Lay Of Products On Blue


flatlay of half pomegranate and other assorted fruits

Flatlay Of Half Pomegranate And Other Assorted Fruits


flatlay of coffee and computer on wooden surface

Flatlay Of Coffee And Computer On Wooden Surface


phone and travel flatlay of items

Phone And Travel Flatlay Of Items


flatlay of a red envelope with gold and red chocolates

Flatlay Of A Red Envelope With Gold And Red Chocolates


cottage country aerial

Cottage Country Aerial


a wooden chess board at the start of the game

A Wooden Chess Board At The Start Of The Game


pinecones and bells flatlay

Pinecones And Bells Flatlay


hand holding coffee near book and phone.

Hand Holding Coffee Near Book And Phone.


the word help spelled out with plastic miniatures

The Word Help Spelled Out With Plastic Miniatures


flatlay of a picnic in the shadow of a lace umbrella

Flatlay Of A Picnic In The Shadow Of A Lace Umbrella


flatlay of a yellow plastic card with a tap chip in it

Flatlay Of A Yellow Plastic Card With A Tap Chip In It


flatlay of a phone display with glasses and a green vine

Flatlay Of A Phone Display With Glasses And A Green Vine


cyber monday sale

Cyber Monday Sale


robot components

Robot Components


flatlay of soap and dried crispy leaves

Flatlay Of Soap And Dried Crispy Leaves


purple tools flatlay

Purple Tools Flatlay


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Tips for Your own flatlay photography

What makes this type of photography so popular is not just the look of the photography style, but that it’s relatively easy to do. Generally you don’t need to be a professional photographer to take a great flatlay image - an iPhone camera and good lighting will do!

Feel free to browse our database of flatlay images or check our tips below for creating your own beautiful pictures.

Shoot for a single color palette

Generally speaking - it’s best to select a colour pallette of about 2-3 unifying colours and work around those colors with varying patterns and textures. Having a predetermined pallette will help to unify the composition of the image and direct the mood of the piece. For example - object in navy blue and deep red will usually give the image a more somber feel to it whereas bright pinks and purples will make the image a bit more playful.

You’ll also want to make sure you use a neutral background colour as well. Most flatlay pictures use a white background, but feel free to experiment with black, grey or more muted wood tones as well. A neutral background colour will make the foreground items stand-out, complimenting the items and focusing your audience's attention towards your subjects.

Let the composition of your pictures tell a story

It’s important to consider the concept of narrative in composing flat-lay photographs. You may want to think of a “theme” before you begin and then select objects that work around this theme. For example - if your theme is “Cluttered Office” - you might choose to use objects like pens, notebooks and coffee cups. If your theme is “Brunch Time” - you might include items like toasted bagels and sparkling mimosas. Let your image tell a story through objects surrounding a common theme.

Experiment with Space and Lighting

Not all flatlay images are built the same. For some - a cluttered workspace might convey a sense of chaos to the audience while a more sparse use of objects with more negative space might give the viewer a sense of calming isolation.

With regards to lighting - it’s generally best to use calm, overhead lighting. You don’t want your lights to be too bright however, as this can wash-out some of the beauty of your colours and create jarring, odd shadows.

Natural light works best as well - especially in the morning when the sun has risen but is not yet in full force. If you’re looking for a more neutral, balanced lighting design, try going out on a day that’s a little bit cloudy to get a soft-light effect.