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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top view of a green teapot on a pink background

Top View Of A Green Teapot On A Pink Background


ends of colored pencils lines up

Ends Of Colored Pencils Lines Up


colored pencils scattered shown from above

Colored Pencils Scattered Shown From Above


top view of a tea towel and container holding grain

Top View Of A Tea Towel And Container Holding Grain


view of a person working at their desk from above

View Of A Person Working At Their Desk From Above


view from above as person sits at white desktop

View From Above As Person Sits At White Desktop


flatlay of a valentines day card with foil chocolate hearts

Flatlay Of A Valentines Day Card With Foil Chocolate Hearts


flatlay of a red envelope with gold and red chocolates

Flatlay Of A Red Envelope With Gold And Red Chocolates


pink and red cupcakes on a white background

Pink And Red Cupcakes On A White Background


view of a computer desk as seen from above

View Of A Computer Desk As Seen From Above


home office lit by computer monitors

Home Office Lit By Computer Monitors


flatlay of coffee and computer on wooden surface

Flatlay Of Coffee And Computer On Wooden Surface


dumplings chopsticks and sauce on a red cloth viewed from above

Dumplings Chopsticks And Sauce On A Red Cloth Viewed From Above


top view of a chocolate ice cream beverage

Top View Of A Chocolate Ice Cream Beverage


flatlay of items to make hot chocolate

Flatlay Of Items To Make Hot Chocolate


an invite lays surrounded by soft pink fabric

An Invite Lays Surrounded By Soft Pink Fabric


living room with coffee table with hot chocolate

Living Room With Coffee Table With Hot Chocolate


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

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


three oranges and three fanned out red cards on white

Three Oranges And Three Fanned Out Red Cards On White


three red cards fanned out on a red background

Three Red Cards Fanned Out On A Red Background


flatlay with dumplings and chopsticks against a red background

Flatlay With Dumplings And Chopsticks Against A Red Background


three red cards lay on a red background

Three Red Cards Lay On A Red Background


flay lay of gifts string lights and a bottle

Flay Lay Of Gifts String Lights And A Bottle


a round white plate full of strawberries

A Round White Plate Full Of Strawberries


gold pocket watch on a black notebook

Gold Pocket Watch On A Black Notebook


soft pink flower petals against white

Soft Pink Flower Petals Against White


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


mobile phone with the words inspire on screen

Mobile Phone With The Words Inspire on Screen


flatlay of books with plants and a smoothie on a white sheet

Flatlay Of Books With Plants And A Smoothie On A White Sheet


flatlay of a notebook with pen and cellphone

Flatlay Of A Notebook With Pen And Cellphone


cell phone and earbuds in sunlight

Cell Phone And Earbuds In Sunlight


outdoor dessert table with macarons and cake

Outdoor Dessert Table With Macarons And Cake


top made of pearls on a pink background

Top Made Of Pearls On A Pink Background


phone and travel flatlay of items

Phone And Travel Flatlay Of Items


stationary ready to set new year goals

Stationary Ready To Set New Year Goals


pink blanket with lavender bundle

Pink Blanket With Lavender Bundle


biscotti lays in a monstera leaf

Biscotti Lays In A Monstera Leaf


person paints drawing of fashion in yellow

Person Paints Drawing Of Fashion In Yellow


water color supplies on a wooden table

Water Color Supplies On A Wooden Table


necklace laying on a monstera leaf

Necklace Laying On A Monstera Leaf


lavender bundle on a pink table

Lavender Bundle On A Pink Table


open book and burnt pages on white sheet

Open Book And Burnt Pages On White Sheet


vintage silver camera surrounded by foliage

Vintage Silver Camera Surrounded By Foliage


pink notebook and pink pen

Pink Notebook And Pink Pen


wireless earbuds in a pink case lay on a table

Wireless Earbuds In A Pink Case Lay On A Table


flatlay of a wicker basket next to pink flowers

Flatlay Of A Wicker Basket Next To Pink Flowers


top view of dried flowers and gold paper clips

Top View Of Dried Flowers And Gold Paper Clips


desktop with notebook surrounded by stationary

Desktop With Notebook Surrounded By Stationary


merry christmas spelled out in gold letters

Merry Christmas Spelled Out In Gold Letters


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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.