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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bold black sunglasses lay in a open book

Bold Black Sunglasses Lay In A Open Book


two notebooks lay on a soft pink surface

Two Notebooks Lay On A Soft Pink Surface


hand reaches for a notebook on yellow

Hand Reaches For A Notebook On Yellow


two pieces of biscotti next to a cup of coffee

Two Pieces Of Biscotti Next To A Cup Of Coffee


black bold sunglasses on a large book with photos

Black Bold Sunglasses On A Large Book With Photos


hand reaches for a book next to sunglasses and a bag

Hand Reaches For A Book Next To Sunglasses And A Bag


notebooks lays on a yellow surface with dried flowers surrounding

Notebooks Lays On A Yellow Surface With Dried Flowers Surrounding


flatlay of a cell phone and colourful beaded string

Flatlay Of A Cell Phone And Colourful Beaded String


flatlay of a white plate with fresh biscotti on a table

Flatlay Of A White Plate With Fresh Biscotti On A Table


green jade roller on a white mesh cloth

Green Jade Roller On A White Mesh Cloth


tiles read self love club next to a pink flower

Tiles Read Self Love Club Next To A Pink Flower


tiles lay on a black surface reading mental health matters

Tiles Lay On A Black Surface Reading Mental Health Matters


flatlay of fruit and vegetables on a wooden cutting board

Flatlay Of Fruit And Vegetables On A Wooden Cutting Board


chalkboard with the words healthy in cursive lays on fruit

Chalkboard With The Words Healthy In Cursive Lays On Fruit


flatlay of embroidery coffee and dried flowers

Flatlay Of Embroidery Coffee And Dried Flowers


spoons lined up holding loose leaf tea

Spoons Lined Up Holding Loose Leaf Tea


spoon lays in the middle of oats

Spoon Lays In The Middle Of Oats


gold spoons in a row filled with loose leaf tea

Gold Spoons In A Row Filled With Loose Leaf Tea


hands cup ripe red strawberries on black background

Hands Cup Ripe Red Strawberries On Black Background


strawberries on a wooden plate over black surface

Strawberries On A Wooden Plate Over Black Surface


an assortment of vibrant vegetables

An Assortment Of Vibrant Vegetables


hands filled with ripe strawberries on black background

Hands Filled With Ripe Strawberries On Black Background


hands cup ripe strawberries with other fruit below

Hands Cup Ripe Strawberries With Other Fruit Below


ripe red strawberries fill a frame

Ripe Red Strawberries Fill A Frame


flatlay of a small screen showing graphs and numbers

Flatlay Of A Small Screen Showing Graphs And Numbers


cell phone screen displaying graphs and numbers

Cell Phone Screen Displaying Graphs And Numbers


cell phone screen displaying text and numbers

Cell Phone Screen Displaying Text And Numbers


black background photo of cellphone with graphs

Black Background Photo Of Cellphone With Graphs


cell phone displaying graphs and numbers

Cell Phone Displaying Graphs And Numbers


flatlay of a black phone showing graphs on the screen

Flatlay Of A Black Phone Showing Graphs On The Screen


two vintage cameras set on a white background

Two Vintage Cameras Set On A White Background


a wooden chess board at the start of the game

A Wooden Chess Board At The Start Of The Game


flatlay of half pomegranate and other assorted fruits

Flatlay Of Half Pomegranate And Other Assorted Fruits


a mug surrounded by a soft blue blanket

A Mug Surrounded By A Soft Blue Blanket


a pocket watch laying on a black and orange background

A Pocket Watch Laying On A Black And Orange Background


flatlay of cheese mushroom and bacon pizza

Flatlay of Cheese Mushroom And Bacon Pizza


close up of cheesy pizza slices

Close Up of Cheesy Pizza Slices


a sliced bell pepper surrounded by other cooking items

A Sliced Bell Pepper Surrounded By Other Cooking Items


looking down at red bell peppers sliced in half

Looking Down At Red Bell Peppers Sliced In Half


dragon cookies with red white and green icing

Dragon Cookies With Red White And Green Icing


colorful cookies with red white and green icing

Colorful Cookies With Red White And Green Icing


person holds a sharp knife over large cut of meat

Person Holds A Sharp Knife Over Large Cut Of Meat


rounds of raw meat on butcher paper

Rounds Of Raw Meat On Butcher Paper


iron skillet with meat and potatoes on wooden board

Iron Skillet With Meat And Potatoes On Wooden Board


raw red meat lays in a wooden cutting board

Raw Red Meat Lays In A Wooden Cutting Board


flatlay iron skillet with meat and other food

Flatlay Iron Skillet With Meat And Other Food


wooden table with latte and open book with glasses

Wooden Table With Latte And Open Book With Glasses


flatlay of soap and dried crispy leaves

Flatlay Of Soap And Dried Crispy Leaves


flatlay of two bars of white soap and dried leaves

Flatlay Of Two Bars Of White Soap And Dried Leaves


wooden toothbrushes lay on a vibrant orange background

Wooden Toothbrushes Lay On A Vibrant Orange Background


flatlay of wooden toothbrushes laying bristles up on blue

Flatlay Of Wooden Toothbrushes Laying Bristles Up On Blue


bars of soap lay on a wooden surface

Bars Of Soap Lay On A Wooden Surface


wooden toothbrushes in a row against a green background

Wooden Toothbrushes In A Row Against A Green Background


wooden toothbrushes lined up against a green background

Wooden Toothbrushes Lined Up Against A Green Background


flat lay of bars of soap in green holders

Flat Lay Of Bars Of Soap In Green Holders


flatlay of jade face roller laying on a grey stone

Flatlay Of Jade Face Roller Laying On A Grey Stone


six different spices against a yellow background

Six Different Spices Against A Yellow Background


rice noodles and onions against a light blue background

Rice Noodles And Onions Against A Light Blue Background


flatlay of orange beverage with lime and orange garnish

Flatlay Of Orange Beverage With Lime And Orange Garnish


camera looks down on wooden table with two bao buns

Camera Looks Down On Wooden Table With Two Bao Buns


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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.