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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multitasking at desk

Multitasking At Desk


assorted hot beverages tea matcha coffee

Assorted Hot Beverages Tea Matcha Coffee


gift bag wrap

Gift Bag Wrap


holiday gifts wrapping

Holiday Gifts Wrapping


school and study supplies

School And Study Supplies


blank notebook and writing flatlay

Blank Notebook and Writing Flatlay


hearts on woodgrain

Hearts On Woodgrain


qr codes in store

QR Codes In Store


wrapping christmas presents

Wrapping Christmas Presents


flatlay of a coffee mug and items to plan travel

Flatlay Of A Coffee Mug And Items To Plan Travel


students working and studying flatlay

Students Working And Studying Flatlay


cyber monday shopping sale

Cyber Monday Shopping Sale


festive gift box

Festive Gift Box


painting purple

Painting Purple


business flatlay in india

Business Flatlay In India


three students working flatlay

Three Students Working Flatlay


wine and cheese party

Wine And Cheese Party


white background with brances frame

White Background With Brances Frame


kids arts and crafts

Kids Arts And Crafts


school notebook flatlay

School Notebook Flatlay


business startup desktop flatlay

Business Startup Desktop Flatlay


blueprint tools

Blueprint Tools


black friday deals

Black Friday Deals


kids playing with block toys

Kids Playing With Block Toys


paint palette brushes

Paint Palette Brushes


gentlemans fashion flatlay

Gentlemans Fashion Flatlay


crayons & pencils flatlay

Crayons & Pencils Flatlay


writing down goals

Writing Down Goals


student team meeting at table

Student Team Meeting At Table


hot pink and reds house paint

Hot Pink And Reds House Paint


digital photography flatlay

Digital Photography Flatlay


busy hands typing in flatlay

Busy Hands Typing In Flatlay


christmas ornaments greenery

Christmas Ornaments Greenery


festive gift box holiday wrapping

Festive Gift Box Holiday Wrapping


flowers and coffee

Flowers And Coffee


flatlay of coffee and items ready to travel

Flatlay Of Coffee And Items Ready To Travel


houseware home and kitchen decor

Houseware Home And Kitchen Decor


workspace flatlay with leather bag and notebook

Workspace Flatlay With Leather Bag And Notebook


sliced pumpkin pie

Sliced Pumpkin Pie


christmas gift box

Christmas Gift Box


contact flatlay

Contact Flatlay


sale sign in chalk

Sale Sign In Chalk


colored pencils & crayons for school

Colored Pencils & Crayons For School


fresh vegetables arranged on chopping board flatlay

Fresh Vegetables Arranged On Chopping Board Flatlay


black friday to do list

Black Friday To Do List


flatlay of notebooks pens and a persons hand

Flatlay Of Notebooks Pens And A Persons Hand


sewing tools flatlay knolling

Sewing Tools Flatlay Knolling


makeup brushes close-up

Makeup Brushes Close-up


lilies on ink white and gray

Lilies On Ink White And Gray


halloween flatlay

Halloween Flatlay


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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.