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.

Are you looking to launch your online business? Try Shopify for free!

flat lay view of hockey player against the ice

Flat Lay View Of Hockey Player Against The Ice


two notebooks lay on a soft pink surface

Two Notebooks Lay On A Soft Pink Surface


candy corn dish

Candy Corn Dish


six different spices against a yellow background

Six Different Spices Against A Yellow Background


person writing out what they are grateful for in a notebook

Person Writing Out What They Are Grateful For In A Notebook


laptop with notebook and water bottle on white bed

Laptop With Notebook And Water Bottle On White Bed


carpentry tools covered in sawdust

Carpentry Tools Covered In Sawdust


winter pattern

Winter Pattern


boxes and packages spread out

Boxes And Packages Spread Out


flatlay of audio technician

Flatlay Of Audio Technician


row of hot peppers

Row Of Hot Peppers


flatlay on a bed with notebook laptop and camera

Flatlay On A Bed With Notebook Laptop And Camera


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


flatlay of a cell phone floating with laptop and tablet

Flatlay Of A Cell Phone Floating With Laptop And Tablet


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


a small plant into a red pot with watering can

A Small Plant Into A Red Pot With Watering Can


wood working tools laid on a bench

Wood Working Tools Laid On A Bench


collage of yellow embellished plates

Collage Of Yellow Embellished Plates


flatlay of a laptop and camera with stationary

Flatlay Of A Laptop And Camera With Stationary


pearl top lays in shadowed lights on pink background

Pearl Top Lays In Shadowed Lights On Pink Background


shadowed flatlay of lavender and a necklace

Shadowed Flatlay Of Lavender And A Necklace


black bold sunglasses on a large book with photos

Black Bold Sunglasses On A Large Book With Photos


plate of summer fruit with drink and an open book

Plate Of Summer Fruit With Drink And An Open Book


green jade roller on a white mesh cloth

Green Jade Roller On A White Mesh Cloth


a close up of wood working tools

A Close Up Of Wood Working Tools


hand reaches for a notebook on yellow

Hand Reaches For A Notebook On Yellow


spices lay in a blue bowl against a yellow background

Spices Lay In A Blue Bowl Against A Yellow Background


hands cup ripe strawberries with other fruit below

Hands Cup Ripe Strawberries With Other Fruit Below


view from above of office items on a white duvet

View From Above Of Office Items On A White Duvet


oatmeal soap bar

Oatmeal Soap Bar


pair of hands cup a small green plant in a red pot

Pair Of Hands Cup A Small Green Plant In A Red Pot


flatlay of a black phone showing graphs on the screen

Flatlay Of A Black Phone Showing Graphs On The Screen


rice noodles and onions against a light blue background

Rice Noodles And Onions Against A Light Blue Background


calendar page with may at the top

Calendar Page With May At The Top


hands filled with ripe strawberries on black background

Hands Filled With Ripe Strawberries On Black Background


gardening tools lay on a grey surface with pink flowers

Gardening Tools Lay On A Grey Surface With Pink Flowers


social distancing in scrabble letters

Social Distancing In Scrabble Letters


carpenter's pencil and tools in sawdust

Carpenter's Pencil And Tools In Sawdust


notebooks lays on a yellow surface with dried flowers surrounding

Notebooks Lays On A Yellow Surface With Dried Flowers Surrounding


an assortment of gardening tools on green grass

An Assortment Of Gardening Tools On Green Grass


portrait image of succulents on dark background

Portrait Image Of Succulents On Dark Background


flatlay of plated spring rolls with hot peppers and limes

Flatlay Of Plated Spring Rolls With Hot Peppers And Limes


three pine cones on crinkled paper

Three Pine Cones On Crinkled Paper


jade face roller lays on white cloth with pine needles

Jade Face Roller Lays On White Cloth With Pine Needles


flatlay of pink teapot, paper, pen and a glass of marshmallows

Flatlay Of Pink Teapot, Paper, Pen And A Glass Of Marshmallows


a bun topped with a sage leaf on a cutting board

A Bun Topped With A Sage Leaf On A Cutting Board


Start a business

Most everything you need to get started — photos, suppliers, and more

Flatlay Stock Photos for Businesses, Articles and More - HD and Royalty-free

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.