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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three disposable face masks on a yellow background

Three Disposable Face Masks On A Yellow Background


coffee beans laid on a pink background

Coffee Beans Laid On A Pink Background


a pocket watch laying on a black and orange background

A Pocket Watch Laying On A Black And Orange Background


flatlay of a camera surrounded by camera equipment

Flatlay Of A Camera Surrounded By Camera Equipment


flatlay of a pen next to paper and a laptop and cellphone

Flatlay Of A Pen Next To Paper And A Laptop And Cellphone


natural soap made with oatmeal

Natural Soap Made With Oatmeal


healthy flatlay featuring potatoes

Healthy Flatlay Featuring Potatoes


work desk in order

Work Desk In Order


small hands cut a block of grey clay on messy table

Small Hands Cut A Block Of Grey Clay On Messy Table


childs hand holds a block of pottery clay

Childs Hand Holds A Block Of Pottery Clay


sewing tools corner flatlay

Sewing Tools Corner Flatlay


A Flatlay Of Plants Coffee And Open Notebook

A Flatlay Of Plants Coffee And Open Notebook


artists colorful paint brush collection laid out

Artists Colorful Paint Brush Collection Laid Out


flatlay of dyed paint brushes laying on black surface

Flatlay Of Dyed Paint Brushes Laying On Black Surface


online retail cyber monday

Online Retail Cyber Monday


candy corn pile

Candy Corn Pile


holiday gift

Holiday Gift


holiday cookie cutters

Holiday Cookie Cutters


toast with peanut butter and fruit

Toast With Peanut Butter And Fruit


yellow card and a red and gold passport flatlay

Yellow Card And A Red And Gold Passport Flatlay


camera lays on brown table surrounded by video equipment

Camera Lays On Brown Table Surrounded By Video Equipment


lined notebook with a cellphone resting on it

Lined Notebook With A Cellphone Resting On It


artist paint brushes on a black surface

Artist Paint Brushes On A Black Surface


bright gift box

Bright Gift Box


work space from above as they type in a laptop

Work Space From Above As They Type In A Laptop


flatlay of a open book surrounded by fresh fruit on white silk

Flatlay Of A Open Book Surrounded By Fresh Fruit On White Silk


flatlay of makeup brushes and makeup on a black plate

Flatlay Of Makeup Brushes And Makeup On A Black Plate


flatlay of painting supplies and books with dried flowers

Flatlay Of Painting Supplies And Books With Dried Flowers


tiles read self love club next to a pink flower

Tiles Read Self Love Club Next To A Pink Flower


flower petals huddled together near a candle

Flower Petals Huddled Together Near a Candle


flay lay of gifts string lights and a bottle

Flay Lay Of Gifts String Lights And A Bottle


money, wallet & change purse

Money, Wallet & Change Purse


mobile phone with the words inspire on screen

Mobile Phone With The Words Inspire on Screen


shipping label

Shipping Label


buttons top frame

Buttons Top Frame


phone flatlay product photography

Phone Flatlay Product Photography


shipping supplies

Shipping Supplies


back to school knolling flatlay

Back To School Knolling Flatlay


black and white halloween candy flatlay

Black And White Halloween Candy Flatlay


stylish nail polish

Stylish Nail Polish


flatlay of makeup brush on eyeshadow and lip colors

Flatlay Of Makeup Brush On Eyeshadow And Lip Colors


chalkboard cyber monday

Chalkboard Cyber Monday


paper pen envelope

Paper Pen Envelope


outdoor dessert table with macarons and cake

Outdoor Dessert Table With Macarons And Cake


gift wrapping

Gift Wrapping


preparing to be creative

Preparing To Be Creative


present with ribbon

Present With Ribbon


orange rubiks cube camera and hard drive

Orange Rubiks Cube Camera And Hard Drive


flatlay of a camera rubiks cube and hard drive

Flatlay Of A Camera Rubiks Cube And Hard Drive


flatlay of clean paint brushes on a black surface

Flatlay Of Clean Paint Brushes On A Black Surface


open book and burnt pages on white sheet

Open Book And Burnt Pages On White Sheet


white tiles spell out self love club

White Tiles Spell Out Self Love Club


base coat beauty

Base Coat Beauty


record vinyl playing music

Record Vinyl Playing Music


trick or treat on an orange background with candy corn

Trick Or Treat On An Orange Background With Candy Corn


baked apple pie

Baked Apple Pie


cleaning supply flatlay white

Cleaning Supply Flatlay White


gold christmas gift wrap

Gold Christmas Gift Wrap


what does a brain need?

What Does A Brain Need?


top made of pearls on a pink background

Top Made Of Pearls On A Pink Background


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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.