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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files and hammers flatlay

Files And Hammers Flatlay


toast with peanut butter and fruit

Toast With Peanut Butter And Fruit


living room with coffee table with hot chocolate

Living Room With Coffee Table With Hot Chocolate


backpack with books a map and tech falling out of it

Backpack With Books A Map And Tech Falling Out Of It


dark wooden table with notebooks a leaf and a yellow pen

Dark Wooden Table With Notebooks A Leaf And A Yellow Pen


vintage silver camera surrounded by foliage

Vintage Silver Camera Surrounded By Foliage


bright gift box

Bright Gift Box


stationary ready to set new year goals

Stationary Ready To Set New Year Goals


coffee beans laid on a pink background

Coffee Beans Laid On A Pink Background


black plastic debit card on a white table

Black Plastic Debit Card On A White Table


flower petals huddled together near a candle

Flower Petals Huddled Together Near a Candle


buttons top frame

Buttons Top Frame


chalkboard cyber monday

Chalkboard Cyber Monday


money, wallet & change purse

Money, Wallet & Change Purse


flatlay of makeup on a round white plate

Flatlay Of Makeup On A Round White Plate


stylish nail polish

Stylish Nail Polish


shipping label

Shipping Label


back to school knolling flatlay

Back To School Knolling Flatlay


shipping supplies

Shipping Supplies


paper pen envelope

Paper Pen Envelope


black and white halloween candy flatlay

Black And White Halloween Candy Flatlay


gift wrapping

Gift Wrapping


breakfast in white crisp bed sheets

Breakfast In White Crisp Bed Sheets


present with ribbon

Present With Ribbon


preparing to be creative

Preparing To Be Creative


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


flatlay of a makeup brush and loose makeup on white

Flatlay Of A Makeup Brush And Loose Makeup On White


gold christmas gift wrap

Gold Christmas Gift Wrap


bright flatlay of a makeup pallet and other items

Bright Flatlay Of A Makeup Pallet And Other Items


base coat beauty

Base Coat Beauty


nail polish with flowers

Nail Polish With Flowers


flatlay of colorful candy easter eggs

Flatlay Of Colorful Candy Easter Eggs


three disposable face masks on a yellow background

Three Disposable Face Masks On A Yellow Background


writing in notebook at desk

Writing In Notebook At Desk


black bag lays with items for school falling out of it

Black Bag Lays With Items For School Falling Out Of It


holiday flat lay

Holiday Flat Lay


halloween cady boxes

Halloween Cady Boxes


lip gloss from above

Lip Gloss From Above


halloween treats

Halloween Treats


cleaning supply flatlay white

Cleaning Supply Flatlay White


flatlay of a camera surrounded by camera equipment

Flatlay Of A Camera Surrounded By Camera Equipment


school supplies knolling

School Supplies Knolling


gift bag with bow

Gift Bag With Bow


numbers, pencils & chalkboard

Numbers, Pencils & Chalkboard


fall harvest basket

Fall Harvest Basket


what does a brain need?

What Does A Brain Need?


drone knoll side angle view

Drone Knoll Side Angle View


a pocket watch laying on a black and orange background

A Pocket Watch Laying On A Black And Orange 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.