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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gemstones and tools flatlay

Gemstones And Tools Flatlay


colorful candy eggs against a white background

Colorful Candy Eggs Against A White Background


man hand with tea and granola

Man Hand With Tea And Granola


pinecones on blue

Pinecones On Blue


flatlay saying follow your dreams with coffee next to it

Flatlay Saying Follow Your Dreams With Coffee Next To It


halloween candy

Halloween Candy


phone flatlay product photography

Phone Flatlay Product Photography


french fries pile on yellow

French Fries Pile On Yellow


earth day written in dirt

Earth Day Written In Dirt


back to school flatlay

Back To School Flatlay


dried leaves on branches and paper background

Dried Leaves On Branches And Paper Background


stationery and pin badges

Stationery And Pin Badges


flatlay of a notebook pen laptop and cellphone

Flatlay Of A Notebook Pen Laptop And Cellphone


person holds a sharp knife over large cut of meat

Person Holds A Sharp Knife Over Large Cut Of Meat


summer gingham fashion flatlay

Summer Gingham Fashion Flatlay


eye shadow palette & brushes

Eye Shadow Palette & Brushes


colorful chocolate candy easter eggs on white

Colorful Chocolate Candy Easter Eggs On White


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

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


black bag with school supplies falling out of it

Black Bag With School Supplies Falling Out Of It


survival equipment flatlay

Survival Equipment Flatlay


artists colorful paint brush collection laid out

Artists Colorful Paint Brush Collection Laid Out


monochromatic mobile phone accessories

Monochromatic Mobile Phone Accessories


road race from above

Road Race From Above


baby nursery diaper products

Baby Nursery Diaper Products


work day essentials layed out

Work Day Essentials Layed Out


outdoor dessert table with macarons and cake

Outdoor Dessert Table With Macarons And Cake


yellow tools on white and yellow background

Yellow Tools On White And Yellow Background


open book and burnt pages on white sheet

Open Book And Burnt Pages On White Sheet


tiles read self love club next to a pink flower

Tiles Read Self Love Club Next To A Pink Flower


afternoon picnic reading and ukulele

Afternoon Picnic Reading And Ukulele


back to school

Back To School


gold spoons in a row filled with loose leaf tea

Gold Spoons In A Row Filled With Loose Leaf Tea


happy thanksgiving pie

Happy Thanksgiving Pie


cookies cooling

Cookies Cooling


camera lays on brown table surrounded by video equipment

Camera Lays On Brown Table Surrounded By Video Equipment


flay lay of gifts string lights and a bottle

Flay Lay Of Gifts String Lights And A Bottle


breakfast gift and flowers for dad

Breakfast Gift And Flowers For Dad


sugar dusted pie

Sugar Dusted Pie


A Flatlay Of Plants Coffee And Open Notebook

A Flatlay Of Plants Coffee And Open Notebook


happy thanksgiving letters

Happy Thanksgiving Letters


artist paint brushes on a black surface

Artist Paint Brushes On A Black Surface


mobile phone with the words inspire on screen

Mobile Phone With The Words Inspire on Screen


bbq tools flatlay

Bbq Tools Flatlay


salmon and lox

Salmon And Lox


flatlay of dyed paint brushes laying on black surface

Flatlay Of Dyed Paint Brushes Laying On Black Surface


pink and red cupcakes on a white background

Pink And Red Cupcakes On A White Background


product packaging

Product Packaging


work space from above as they type in a laptop

Work Space From Above As They Type In A Laptop


nail polish gems

Nail Polish Gems


thanksgiving centerpiece

Thanksgiving Centerpiece


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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.