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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fresh veg flatlay

Fresh Veg Flatlay


tea set on wooden table

Tea Set On Wooden Table


pink notebook and pink pen

Pink Notebook And Pink Pen


flatlay of a wicker basket next to pink flowers

Flatlay Of A Wicker Basket Next To Pink Flowers


solar eclipse checklist

Solar Eclipse Checklist


avocado toast on cutting board

Avocado Toast On Cutting Board


candy cane pattern

Candy Cane Pattern


small wrenches in a line

Small Wrenches In A Line


dumplings chopsticks and sauce on a red cloth viewed from above

Dumplings Chopsticks And Sauce On A Red Cloth Viewed From Above


natural soap with cucumber

Natural Soap With Cucumber


harmonica on sheet music

Harmonica On Sheet Music


packages ready to ship to customers

Packages Ready To Ship To Customers


paper snow has fallen

Paper Snow Has Fallen


cut vegetables over wood surface

Cut Vegetables Over Wood Surface


soap made with natural ingredients

Soap Made with Natural Ingredients


hand holds a stainer from a cup of tea

Hand Holds A Stainer From A Cup Of Tea


solar eclipse flatlay

Solar Eclipse Flatlay


flatlay of book with coffee and phone

Flatlay Of Book With Coffee And Phone


ripe red strawberries fill a frame

Ripe Red Strawberries Fill A Frame


flat lay of black screws

Flat Lay Of Black Screws


necklace laying on a monstera leaf

Necklace Laying On A Monstera Leaf


multiple candy canes in rows

Multiple Candy Canes in Rows


wooden table with latte and open book with glasses

Wooden Table With Latte And Open Book With Glasses


flatlay of hardcover books and colorful flowers

Flatlay Of Hardcover Books And Colorful Flowers


a flat lay of wood working bench

A Flat Lay Of Wood Working Bench


flatlay of boxes on lower half of table

Flatlay Of Boxes On Lower Half Of Table


soap bars on marble

Soap Bars On Marble


pinecone corner

Pinecone Corner


iron skillet with meat and potatoes on wooden board

Iron Skillet With Meat And Potatoes On Wooden Board


lavender bundle on a pink table

Lavender Bundle On A Pink Table


flatlay of a laptop and cellphone with notebook

Flatlay Of A Laptop And Cellphone With Notebook


canoe passing shoreline

Canoe Passing Shoreline


wood working tools framing a work bench

Wood Working Tools Framing A Work Bench


colorful cookies with red white and green icing

Colorful Cookies With Red White And Green Icing


chocolate pie & spoon

Chocolate Pie & Spoon


home office lit by computer monitors

Home Office Lit By Computer Monitors


aged staples texture

Aged Staples Texture


pencils on desk

Pencils On Desk


gold cyber monday

Gold Cyber Monday


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


close up of notebook with hey sunday written

Close Up Of Notebook With Hey Sunday Written


flatlay of picnic prep

Flatlay Of Picnic Prep


top down view working from home on a bed

Top Down View Working From Home On A Bed


plant potting tools and soil

Plant Potting Tools And Soil


top view of a chocolate ice cream beverage

Top View Of A Chocolate Ice Cream Beverage


rows of cars in junk yard aerial

Rows Of Cars In Junk Yard Aerial


afternoon picnic flatlay

Afternoon Picnic Flatlay


gold scissors against black

Gold Scissors Against Black


pine cones and acorns lined up on paper

Pine Cones And Acorns Lined Up On Paper


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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.