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 varied plated food on white plates

Flatlay Of Varied Plated Food On White Plates


ends of colored pencils lines up

Ends Of Colored Pencils Lines Up


flatlay of a picnic in the shadow of a lace umbrella

Flatlay Of A Picnic In The Shadow Of A Lace Umbrella


rounds of raw meat on butcher paper

Rounds Of Raw Meat On Butcher Paper


pink blanket with lavender bundle

Pink Blanket With Lavender Bundle


three paper woven carrots

Three Paper Woven Carrots


top view of dried flowers and gold paper clips

Top View Of Dried Flowers And Gold Paper Clips


white pizza and herbs

White Pizza And Herbs


laptop and a cell phone showing a graph on orange table

Laptop And A Cell Phone Showing A Graph On Orange Table


selection of fresh veg

Selection Of Fresh Veg


flat lay of bars of soap in green holders

Flat Lay Of Bars Of Soap In Green Holders


colorful paint brushes in front of black background

Colorful Paint Brushes In Front Of Black Background


wooden toothbrushes lay on a vibrant orange background

Wooden Toothbrushes Lay On A Vibrant Orange Background


candy corn in dish

Candy Corn In Dish


wireless earbuds in a pink case lay on a table

Wireless Earbuds In A Pink Case Lay On A Table


rustic tea service

Rustic Tea Service


colored pencils scattered shown from above

Colored Pencils Scattered Shown From Above


wooden rolling pin lays on top of rolled out dough

Wooden Rolling Pin Lays On Top Of Rolled Out Dough


flatlay of fruit and vegetables on a wooden cutting board

Flatlay Of Fruit And Vegetables On A Wooden Cutting Board


a stack of currency on a black background

A Stack Of Currency On A Black Background


flatlay of embroidery coffee and dried flowers

Flatlay Of Embroidery Coffee And Dried Flowers


variety of colored paint brushes flatlay on black background

Variety Of Colored Paint Brushes Flatlay On Black Background


wooden toothbrushes in a row against a green background

Wooden Toothbrushes In A Row Against A Green Background


camera looks down at a mug with petals scattered around it

Camera Looks Down At A Mug With Petals Scattered Around It


avocado toast on cutting board

Avocado Toast On Cutting Board


sliced watermelon and ripe cherries

Sliced Watermelon And Ripe Cherries


a sliced bell pepper surrounded by other cooking items

A Sliced Bell Pepper Surrounded By Other Cooking Items


two vintage cameras set on a white background

Two Vintage Cameras Set On A White Background


flatlay of cheese mushroom and bacon pizza

Flatlay of Cheese Mushroom And Bacon Pizza


bruschetta with balsamic on pan

Bruschetta With Balsamic On Pan


solar eclipse checklist

Solar Eclipse Checklist


flatlay with dumplings and chopsticks against a red background

Flatlay With Dumplings And Chopsticks Against A Red Background


small hands cut a block of grey clay on messy table

Small Hands Cut A Block Of Grey Clay On Messy Table


fresh veg flatlay

Fresh Veg Flatlay


flatlay of orange beverage with lime and orange garnish

Flatlay Of Orange Beverage With Lime And Orange Garnish


packages ready to ship to customers

Packages Ready To Ship To Customers


flatlay of tortoise shell sunglasses on white

Flatlay Of Tortoise Shell Sunglasses On White


tea set on wooden table

Tea Set On Wooden Table


close up of eye glasses on a computer desk

Close Up Of Eye Glasses On A Computer Desk


flatlay of a valentines day card with foil chocolate hearts

Flatlay Of A Valentines Day Card With Foil Chocolate Hearts


close up of cheesy pizza slices

Close Up of Cheesy Pizza Slices


artist works on a floral mosaic with white glue

Artist Works On A Floral Mosaic With White Glue


cell phone screen displaying graphs and numbers

Cell Phone Screen Displaying Graphs And Numbers


candy cane pattern

Candy Cane Pattern


spoon lays in the middle of oats

Spoon Lays In The Middle Of Oats


portrait image of plants and potting tools on a light background

Portrait Image Of Plants And Potting Tools On A Light Background


white blocks spell save the planet on blue background

White Blocks Spell Save The Planet On Blue Background


two pieces of biscotti next to a cup of coffee

Two Pieces Of Biscotti Next To A Cup Of Coffee


flatlay of sliced watermelon a knife and cherries

Flatlay Of Sliced Watermelon A Knife And Cherries


hand uses tweezers to add to a mosaic

Hand Uses Tweezers To Add 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.