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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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


white bowl surrounded by herbs chilis and lime slices

White Bowl Surrounded By Herbs Chilis And Lime Slices


spices lay in a blue bowl against a yellow background

Spices Lay In A Blue Bowl Against A Yellow Background


a bun topped with a sage leaf on a cutting board

A Bun Topped With A Sage Leaf On A Cutting Board


close up of eye glasses on a computer desk

Close Up Of Eye Glasses On A Computer Desk


the word help spelled out with plastic miniatures

The Word Help Spelled Out With Plastic Miniatures


flatlay of colorful candy easter eggs

Flatlay Of Colorful Candy Easter Eggs


colorful chocolate candy easter eggs on white

Colorful Chocolate Candy Easter Eggs On White


laptop and a cell phone showing a graph on orange table

Laptop And A Cell Phone Showing A Graph On Orange Table


flatlay of a laptop and cellphone with notebook

Flatlay Of A Laptop And Cellphone With Notebook


coffee beans laid on a pink background

Coffee Beans Laid On A Pink Background


colorful candy eggs against a white background

Colorful Candy Eggs Against A White Background


three disposable face masks on a yellow background

Three Disposable Face Masks On A Yellow Background


flatlay on a bed with notebook laptop and camera

Flatlay On A Bed With Notebook Laptop And Camera


view from above of office items on a white duvet

View From Above Of Office Items On A White Duvet


office flatlay with camera gear and orange fruit

Office Flatlay With Camera Gear And Orange Fruit


top down view working from home on a bed

Top Down View Working From Home On A Bed


laptop with notebook and water bottle on white bed

Laptop With Notebook And Water Bottle On White Bed


flatlay of a laptop and camera with stationary

Flatlay Of A Laptop And Camera With Stationary


yoga mat flatlay with laptop and water bottle

Yoga Mat Flatlay With Laptop And Water Bottle


hand holds a stainer from a cup of tea

Hand Holds A Stainer From A Cup Of Tea


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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.