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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four hearts lay spaced out on a white background

Four Hearts Lay Spaced Out On A White Background


flatlay of a tablet cellphone and laptop keyboard on grey

Flatlay Of A Tablet Cellphone And Laptop Keyboard ON Grey


office flatlay with camera gear and orange fruit

Office Flatlay With Camera Gear And Orange Fruit


person paints drawing of fashion in yellow

Person Paints Drawing Of Fashion In Yellow


chinese new year flatlay

Chinese New Year Flatlay


colorful paint brushes in front of black background

Colorful Paint Brushes In Front Of Black Background


boats dock from above

Boats Dock From Above


fresh pepperoni pizza

Fresh Pepperoni Pizza


variety of colored paint brushes flatlay on black background

Variety Of Colored Paint Brushes Flatlay On Black Background


airpods and a notebook for travel

Airpods And A Notebook For Travel


festive gold christmas lights

Festive Gold Christmas Lights


flatlay of wooden toothbrushes laying bristles up on blue

Flatlay Of Wooden Toothbrushes Laying Bristles Up On Blue


accessories flatlay

Accessories Flatlay


flatlay of two bars of white soap and dried leaves

Flatlay Of Two Bars Of White Soap And Dried Leaves


hanukkah doni

Hanukkah Doni


three oranges and three fanned out red cards on white

Three Oranges And Three Fanned Out Red Cards On White


childs hand holds a block of pottery clay

Childs Hand Holds A Block Of Pottery Clay


wooden rolling pin lays on top of rolled out dough

Wooden Rolling Pin Lays On Top Of Rolled Out Dough


flatlay of items to make hot chocolate

Flatlay Of Items To Make Hot Chocolate


snow white flatlay

Snow White Flatlay


knife coffee compass

Knife Coffee Compass


avocado toast and toppings flat

Avocado Toast And Toppings Flat


wooden toothbrushes lay on a vibrant orange background

Wooden Toothbrushes Lay On A Vibrant Orange Background


spoons lined up holding loose leaf tea

Spoons Lined Up Holding Loose Leaf Tea


wilting flowers in opposite corners

Wilting Flowers In Opposite Corners


yellow cleaning supply flatlay

Yellow Cleaning Supply Flatlay


two vintage cameras set on a white background

Two Vintage Cameras Set On A White Background


flatlay of a valentines day card with foil chocolate hearts

Flatlay Of A Valentines Day Card With Foil Chocolate Hearts


flatlay of varied plated food on white plates

Flatlay Of Varied Plated Food On White Plates


artist works on a floral mosaic with white glue

Artist Works On A Floral Mosaic With White Glue


bars of soap lay on a wooden surface

Bars Of Soap Lay On A Wooden Surface


white blocks spell save the planet on blue background

White Blocks Spell Save The Planet On Blue Background


holiday sales

Holiday Sales


small hands cut a block of grey clay on messy table

Small Hands Cut A Block Of Grey Clay On Messy Table


flatlay with dumplings and chopsticks against a red background

Flatlay With Dumplings And Chopsticks Against A Red Background


earth written in dirt

Earth Written In Dirt


desktop with notebook surrounded by stationary

Desktop With Notebook Surrounded By Stationary


a flatlay of packages on white table

A Flatlay Of Packages On White Table


fruit and veggie cirlces angle view

Fruit And Veggie Cirlces Angle View


soft pink flower petals against white

Soft Pink Flower Petals Against White


water color supplies on a wooden table

Water Color Supplies On A Wooden Table


white bowl surrounded by herbs chilis and lime slices

White Bowl Surrounded By Herbs Chilis And Lime Slices


camera looks down at a mug with petals scattered around it

Camera Looks Down At A Mug With Petals Scattered Around It


reading doing fingernails

Reading Doing Fingernails


three red cards fanned out on a red background

Three Red Cards Fanned Out On A Red Background


tortoise shell sunglass frames on a white surface

Tortoise Shell Sunglass Frames On A White Surface


three red cards lay on a red background

Three Red Cards Lay On A Red Background


flatlay of fruit and vegetables on a wooden cutting board

Flatlay Of Fruit And Vegetables On A Wooden Cutting Board


sliced watermelon and ripe cherries

Sliced Watermelon And Ripe Cherries


white work bench with a person adding to a mosaic

White Work Bench With A Person Adding To A Mosaic


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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.