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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flatlay of hardcover books and colorful flowers

Flatlay Of Hardcover Books And Colorful Flowers


ripe red strawberries fill a frame

Ripe Red Strawberries Fill A Frame


flatlay of a laptop and cellphone with notebook

Flatlay Of A Laptop And Cellphone With Notebook


flat lay of black screws

Flat Lay Of Black Screws


solar eclipse flatlay

Solar Eclipse Flatlay


wooden table with latte and open book with glasses

Wooden Table With Latte And Open Book With Glasses


flatlay of book with coffee and phone

Flatlay Of Book With Coffee And Phone


iron skillet with meat and potatoes on wooden board

Iron Skillet With Meat And Potatoes On Wooden Board


home office lit by computer monitors

Home Office Lit By Computer Monitors


multiple candy canes in rows

Multiple Candy Canes in Rows


soap bars on marble

Soap Bars On Marble


pinecone corner

Pinecone Corner


a flat lay of wood working bench

A Flat Lay Of Wood Working Bench


pencils on desk

Pencils On Desk


flatlay of boxes on lower half of table

Flatlay Of Boxes On Lower Half Of Table


lavender bundle on a pink table

Lavender Bundle On A Pink Table


top down view working from home on a bed

Top Down View Working From Home On A Bed


aged staples texture

Aged Staples Texture


top view of a chocolate ice cream beverage

Top View Of A Chocolate Ice Cream Beverage


canoe passing shoreline

Canoe Passing Shoreline


chocolate pie & spoon

Chocolate Pie & Spoon


six different spices against a yellow background

Six Different Spices Against A Yellow Background


a mug surrounded by a soft blue blanket

A Mug Surrounded By A Soft Blue Blanket


landscape view of currency on a black background

Landscape View Of Currency On A Black Background


a small plant into a red pot with watering can

A Small Plant Into A Red Pot With Watering Can


wood working tools framing a work bench

Wood Working Tools Framing A Work Bench


close up of notebook with hey sunday written

Close Up Of Notebook With Hey Sunday Written


gold cyber monday

Gold Cyber Monday


afternoon picnic flatlay

Afternoon Picnic Flatlay


plant potting tools and soil

Plant Potting Tools And Soil


gold scissors against black

Gold Scissors Against Black


flatlay on a bed with notebook laptop and camera

Flatlay On A Bed With Notebook Laptop And Camera


flatlay of picnic prep

Flatlay Of Picnic Prep


flat lay view of hockey player against the ice

Flat Lay View Of Hockey Player Against The Ice


rows of cars in junk yard aerial

Rows Of Cars In Junk Yard Aerial


laptop with notebook and water bottle on white bed

Laptop With Notebook And Water Bottle On White Bed


plate of summer fruit with drink and an open book

Plate Of Summer Fruit With Drink And An Open Book


winter pattern

Winter Pattern


pine cones and acorns lined up on paper

Pine Cones And Acorns Lined Up On Paper


candy corn dish

Candy Corn Dish


flatlay of audio technician

Flatlay Of Audio Technician


flatlay of a cell phone floating with laptop and tablet

Flatlay Of A Cell Phone Floating With Laptop And Tablet


carpentry tools covered in sawdust

Carpentry Tools Covered In Sawdust


top view of a tea towel and container holding grain

Top View Of A Tea Towel And Container Holding Grain


top view of a green teapot on a pink background

Top View Of A Green Teapot On A Pink Background


boxes and packages spread out

Boxes And Packages Spread Out


flatlay of a laptop and camera with stationary

Flatlay Of A Laptop And Camera With Stationary


shadowed flatlay of lavender and a necklace

Shadowed Flatlay Of Lavender And A Necklace


row of hot peppers

Row Of Hot Peppers


pearl top lays in shadowed lights on pink background

Pearl Top Lays In Shadowed Lights On Pink Background


wood working tools laid on a bench

Wood Working Tools Laid On A Bench


black bold sunglasses on a large book with photos

Black Bold Sunglasses On A Large Book With Photos


fried eggs and black coffee

Fried Eggs And Black Coffee


plant potting tools and soil on a light background

Plant Potting Tools And Soil On A Light Background


close up swamp greens

Close Up Swamp Greens


soap bars on wood

Soap Bars On Wood


spices lay in a blue bowl against a yellow background

Spices Lay In A Blue Bowl Against A Yellow Background


hand reaches for a notebook on yellow

Hand Reaches For A Notebook On Yellow


collage of yellow embellished plates

Collage Of Yellow Embellished Plates


flatlay of a black phone showing graphs on the screen

Flatlay Of A Black Phone Showing Graphs On The Screen


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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.