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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letter board with the words merry christmas

Letter Board With The Words Merry Christmas


two sets of barber scissors

Two Sets Of Barber Scissors


gold scissors against black

Gold Scissors Against Black


phone flatlay product photography

Phone Flatlay Product Photography


an engagment ring sits in a blue box

An Engagment Ring Sits In A Blue Box


an overhead of a clean organized desk

An Overhead Of A Clean Organized Desk


colorful pens shown on white

Colorful Pens Shown On White


hand holding coffee near book and phone.

Hand Holding Coffee Near Book And Phone.


flatlay of book with coffee and phone

Flatlay Of Book With Coffee And Phone


monochromatic mobile phone accessories

Monochromatic Mobile Phone Accessories


mobile phone and walnut speaker

Mobile Phone And Walnut Speaker


these colorful clothes pegs will help you get organized

These Colorful Clothes Pegs Will Help You Get Organized


a papaya is surrounded by fruit on yellow background

A Papaya Is Surrounded By Fruit On Yellow Background


several different fruits lay on a pink background

Several Different Fruits Lay On A Pink Background


work day essentials layed out

Work Day Essentials Layed Out


calendar page with may at the top

Calendar Page With May At The Top


close up of notebook with hey sunday written

Close Up Of Notebook With Hey Sunday Written


notebook with hey sunday written

Notebook With Hey Sunday Written


artsy layout with a book and coffee

Artsy Layout With A Book And Coffee


social distancing in scrabble letters

Social Distancing In Scrabble Letters


scrabble letters spell distancing

Scrabble Letters Spell Distancing


comb and scissors with a drink

Comb And Scissors With A Drink


collage of yellow embellished plates

Collage Of Yellow Embellished Plates


social distancing on a white background

Social Distancing On A White Background


distancing in wooden letter tiles

Distancing In Wooden Letter Tiles


social distancing in wooden letter tiles

Social Distancing In Wooden Letter Tiles


social distance on brown background

Social Distance On Brown Background


social distance in letter tiles

Social Distance In Letter Tiles


social distancing on a board game

Social Distancing On A Board Game


wfh acronym in letter tiles

WFH Acronym In Letter Tiles


flat lay of products on blue

Flat Lay Of Products On Blue


spring essentials on a bed

Spring Essentials On A Bed


carrots and friends

Carrots And Friends


fresh veg flatlay

Fresh Veg Flatlay


selection of fresh veg

Selection Of Fresh Veg


travel plans are the best plans

Travel Plans Are The Best Plans


healthy flatlay featuring potatoes

Healthy Flatlay Featuring Potatoes


healthy close up flatlay featuring celery

Healthy Close Up Flatlay Featuring Celery


healthy flatlay featuring celery

Healthy Flatlay Featuring Celery


portrait image of succulents on dark background

Portrait Image Of Succulents On Dark Background


portrait image of plants and potting tools on a light background

Portrait Image Of Plants And Potting Tools On A Light Background


plant potting tools and soil on a light background

Plant Potting Tools And Soil On A Light Background


landscape image of succulents and gardening tools

Landscape Image Of Succulents and Gardening Tools


plant potting tools and soil

Plant Potting Tools And Soil


fresh vegetables arranged on chopping board flatlay

Fresh Vegetables Arranged On Chopping Board Flatlay


colorful fresh vegetables flatlay

Colorful Fresh Vegetables Flatlay


fresh vegetables flatlay

Fresh Vegetables Flatlay


gemstones and tools flatlay

Gemstones And Tools Flatlay


files and hammers flatlay

Files And Hammers Flatlay


clothes fan

Clothes Fan


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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.