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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artist paint brushes on a black surface

Artist Paint Brushes On A Black Surface


three red cards fanned out on a red background

Three Red Cards Fanned Out On A Red Background


flatlay of a notebook pen laptop and cellphone

Flatlay Of A Notebook Pen Laptop And Cellphone


three oranges and three fanned out red cards on white

Three Oranges And Three Fanned Out Red Cards On White


colorful beaded bracelets on a beige background

Colorful Beaded Bracelets On A Beige Background


flat lay of black screws

Flat Lay Of Black Screws


harmonica on sheet music

Harmonica On Sheet Music


flatlay of boxes on lower half of table

Flatlay Of Boxes On Lower Half Of Table


bright flatlay of a makeup pallet and other items

Bright Flatlay Of A Makeup Pallet And Other Items


three red cards lay on a red background

Three Red Cards Lay On A Red Background


four hearts lay spaced out on a white background

Four Hearts Lay Spaced Out On A White Background


bars of soap lay on a wooden surface

Bars Of Soap Lay On A Wooden Surface


an assortment of vibrant vegetables

An Assortment Of Vibrant Vegetables


flat lay of bars of soap in green holders

Flat Lay Of Bars Of Soap In Green Holders


view of a computer desk as seen from above

View Of A Computer Desk As Seen From Above


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

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


colorful candy in two rows on a white surface

Colorful Candy In Two Rows On A White Surface


flatlay of a camera rubiks cube and hard drive

Flatlay Of A Camera Rubiks Cube And Hard Drive


flatlay of a pen next to paper and a laptop and cellphone

Flatlay Of A Pen Next To Paper And A Laptop And Cellphone


flatlay of orange objects in a line

Flatlay Of Orange Objects In A Line


ends of colored pencils lines up

Ends Of Colored Pencils Lines Up


flatlay of painting supplies and books with dried flowers

Flatlay Of Painting Supplies And Books With Dried Flowers


orange rubiks cube camera and hard drive

Orange Rubiks Cube Camera And Hard Drive


flatlay of varied plated food on white plates

Flatlay Of Varied Plated Food On White Plates


flatlay of wooden toothbrushes laying bristles up on blue

Flatlay Of Wooden Toothbrushes Laying Bristles Up On Blue


aged staples texture

Aged Staples Texture


view of a person working at their desk from above

View Of A Person Working At Their Desk From Above


laptop and a cell phone showing a graph on orange table

Laptop And A Cell Phone Showing A Graph On Orange Table


a flat lay of wood working bench

A Flat Lay Of Wood Working Bench


wood working tools framing a work bench

Wood Working Tools Framing A Work Bench


soap bars on marble

Soap Bars On Marble


multiple candy canes in rows

Multiple Candy Canes in Rows


black bag with school supplies falling out of it

Black Bag With School Supplies Falling Out Of It


canoe passing shoreline

Canoe Passing Shoreline


flatlay of picnic prep

Flatlay Of Picnic Prep


flatlay of clean paint brushes on a black surface

Flatlay Of Clean Paint Brushes On A Black Surface


flatlay of a tablet cellphone and laptop keyboard on grey

Flatlay Of A Tablet Cellphone And Laptop Keyboard ON Grey


colored pencils scattered shown from above

Colored Pencils Scattered Shown From Above


pinecone corner

Pinecone Corner


chocolate pie & spoon

Chocolate Pie & Spoon


A Flatlay Of Plants Coffee And Open Notebook

A Flatlay Of Plants Coffee And Open Notebook


necklace laying on a monstera leaf

Necklace Laying On A Monstera Leaf


raw red meat lays in a wooden cutting board

Raw Red Meat Lays In A Wooden Cutting Board


eight bagels on a silver metal cooling rack

Eight Bagels On A Silver Metal Cooling Rack


wooden toothbrushes lay on a vibrant orange background

Wooden Toothbrushes Lay On A Vibrant Orange Background


flatlay of a picnic in the shadow of a lace umbrella

Flatlay Of A Picnic In The Shadow Of A Lace Umbrella


flatlay of fruit and vegetables on a wooden cutting board

Flatlay Of Fruit And Vegetables On A Wooden Cutting Board


flatlay of a phone display with glasses and a green vine

Flatlay Of A Phone Display With Glasses And A Green Vine


wooden toothbrushes in a row against a green background

Wooden Toothbrushes In A Row Against A Green Background


gold cyber monday

Gold Cyber Monday


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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.