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!

hands work on a glass mosaic to left side of frame

Hands Work On A Glass Mosaic To Left Side Of Frame


flatlay of painting supplies and books with dried flowers

Flatlay Of Painting Supplies And Books With Dried Flowers


flatlay saying follow your dreams with coffee next to it

Flatlay Saying Follow Your Dreams With Coffee Next To It


flatlay of plated spring rolls with hot peppers and limes

Flatlay Of Plated Spring Rolls With Hot Peppers And Limes


flatlay of a mosaic artist at work

Flatlay Of A Mosaic Artist At Work


camera looks down at a glass jar filled with red sauce

Camera Looks Down At A Glass Jar Filled With Red Sauce


flatlay of a floral mosaic surrounded by glass pieces

Flatlay Of A Floral Mosaic Surrounded By Glass Pieces


flatlay of a mosaic artists tools with cut glass

Flatlay Of A Mosaic Artists Tools With Cut Glass


flatlay of a grey table with a mosaic and tools

Flatlay Of A Grey Table With A Mosaic And Tools


hands working on a floral mosaic on a grey table

Hands Working On A Floral Mosaic On A Grey Table


flatlay of a person adding glue to a glass mosaic

Flatlay Of A Person Adding Glue To A Glass Mosaic


colorful candy in two rows on a white surface

Colorful Candy In Two Rows On A White Surface


green grass with gardening tools on the left side of the frame

Green Grass With Gardening Tools On The Left Side Of The Frame


an assortment of gardening tools on green grass

An Assortment Of Gardening Tools On Green Grass


flatlay of a phone display with glasses and a green vine

Flatlay Of A Phone Display With Glasses And A Green Vine


green plate filled with fruit in the middle of frame

Green Plate Filled With Fruit In The Middle Of Frame


slices of homemade pizza with olives on a green plate

Slices Of Homemade Pizza With Olives On A Green Plate


two plates on a linen tablecloth with summer fruit

Two Plates On A Linen Tablecloth With Summer Fruit


summer strawberries and blueberries on blue linen cloth

Summer Strawberries And Blueberries On Blue Linen Cloth


plate of summer fruit with drink and an open book

Plate Of Summer Fruit With Drink And An Open Book


summer fruits on a green plate with a blue tablecloth

Summer Fruits On A Green Plate With A Blue Tablecloth


flatlay of a tablet cellphone and laptop keyboard on grey

Flatlay Of A Tablet Cellphone And Laptop Keyboard ON Grey


gardening tools lay on a grey surface with pink flowers

Gardening Tools Lay On A Grey Surface With Pink Flowers


flatlay of a cell phone floating with laptop and tablet

Flatlay Of A Cell Phone Floating With Laptop And Tablet


flatlay of gardening tools on dark grey

Flatlay Of Gardening Tools On Dark Grey


chalkboard mirror and flowers on marble

Chalkboard Mirror And Flowers On Marble


sliced watermelon fanned out on a white plate

Sliced Watermelon Fanned Out On A White Plate


sliced watermelon and ripe cherries

Sliced Watermelon And Ripe Cherries


flatlay of sliced watermelon  a knife and cherries

Flatlay Of Sliced Watermelon A Knife And Cherries


camera looks down at a mug with petals scattered around it

Camera Looks Down At A Mug With Petals Scattered Around It


flatlay of orange objects in a line

Flatlay Of Orange Objects In A Line


orange rubiks cube camera and hard drive

Orange Rubiks Cube Camera And Hard Drive


flatlay of a camera rubiks cube and hard drive

Flatlay Of A Camera Rubiks Cube And Hard Drive


flatlay of hardcover books and colorful flowers

Flatlay Of Hardcover Books And Colorful Flowers


flat lay of hands typing on a keyboard

Flat Lay Of Hands Typing On A Keyboard


flatlay of a picnic in the shadow of a lace umbrella

Flatlay Of A Picnic In The Shadow Of A Lace Umbrella


wooden rolling pin lays on top of rolled out dough

Wooden Rolling Pin Lays On Top Of Rolled Out Dough


work space from above as they type in a laptop

Work Space From Above As They Type In A Laptop


books bound together with twine on a white cloth

Books Bound Together With Twine On A White Cloth


camera lays on brown table surrounded by video equipment

Camera Lays On Brown Table Surrounded By Video Equipment


flatlay of a camera surrounded by camera equipment

Flatlay Of A Camera Surrounded By Camera Equipment


white blocks spell save the planet on blue background

White Blocks Spell Save The Planet On Blue Background


white blocks spell there is no planet b on yellow surface

White Blocks Spell There Is No Planet B On Yellow Surface


a small plant into a red pot with watering can

A Small Plant Into A Red Pot With Watering Can


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 varied plated food on white plates

Flatlay Of Varied Plated Food On White Plates


flatlay of blocks spelling lets dance on colorful dots

Flatlay Of Blocks Spelling Lets Dance On Colorful Dots


flatlay of blocks the middle spelling out stay well

Flatlay Of Blocks The Middle Spelling Out Stay Well


white blocks laying in colorful dots spells out smile

White Blocks Laying In Colorful Dots Spells Out Smile


white wooden beads spell out stay well

White Wooden Beads Spell Out Stay Well


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.