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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flatlay of coffee and items ready to travel

Flatlay Of Coffee And Items Ready To Travel


flatlay of a coffee mug and items to plan travel

Flatlay Of A Coffee Mug And Items To Plan Travel


red and green gooseberries against white

Red And Green Gooseberries Against White


flatlay of notebooks pens and a persons hand

Flatlay Of Notebooks Pens And A Persons Hand


wooden combs on a beige background

Wooden Combs On A Beige Background


flatlay of notebooks and a laptop keyboard

Flatlay Of Notebooks And A Laptop Keyboard


makeup brush lays on vibrant red lipstick color

Makeup Brush Lays On Vibrant Red Lipstick Color


flatlay of makeup on a round white plate

Flatlay Of Makeup On A Round White Plate


flatlay of a makeup brush and loose makeup on white

Flatlay Of A Makeup Brush And Loose Makeup On White


bright flatlay of a makeup pallet and other items

Bright Flatlay Of A Makeup Pallet And Other Items


flatlay of makeup brushes and makeup on a black plate

Flatlay Of Makeup Brushes And Makeup On A Black Plate


flatlay of makeup brush on eyeshadow and lip colors

Flatlay Of Makeup Brush On Eyeshadow And Lip Colors


A Flatlay Of Plants Coffee And Open Notebook

A Flatlay Of Plants Coffee And Open Notebook


dark wooden table with notebooks a leaf and a yellow pen

Dark Wooden Table With Notebooks A Leaf And A Yellow Pen


backpack with books a map and tech falling out of it

Backpack With Books A Map And Tech Falling Out Of It


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 lays with items for school falling out of it

Black Bag Lays With Items For School Falling Out Of It


flatlay of a notebook pen laptop and cellphone

Flatlay Of A Notebook Pen Laptop And Cellphone


black bag with school supplies falling out of it

Black Bag With School Supplies Falling Out Of It


lined notebook with a cellphone resting on it

Lined Notebook With A Cellphone Resting On It


small hands cut a block of grey clay on messy table

Small Hands Cut A Block Of Grey Clay On Messy Table


flatlay of dyed paint brushes laying on black surface

Flatlay Of Dyed Paint Brushes Laying On Black Surface


artists colorful paint brush collection laid out

Artists Colorful Paint Brush Collection Laid Out


artist paint brushes on a black surface

Artist Paint Brushes On A Black Surface


childs hand holds a block of pottery clay

Childs Hand Holds A Block Of Pottery Clay


flatlay of clean paint brushes on a black surface

Flatlay Of Clean Paint Brushes On A Black Surface


hands ready to mold block of potters clay

Hands Ready To Mold Block Of Potters Clay


colorful paint brushes in front of black background

Colorful Paint Brushes In Front Of Black Background


small hands get ready to sculpt with block of clay

Small Hands Get Ready To Sculpt With Block Of Clay


variety of colored paint brushes flatlay on black background

Variety Of Colored Paint Brushes Flatlay On Black Background


kids hands molding clay on a messy table top

Kids Hands Molding Clay On A Messy Table Top


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

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


artist works on a floral mosaic with white glue

Artist Works On A Floral Mosaic With White Glue


hand uses tweezers to add to a mosaic

Hand Uses Tweezers To Add To A Mosaic


white work bench with a person adding to a mosaic

White Work Bench With A Person Adding To A Mosaic


white bowl filled with red figs against black

White Bowl Filled With Red Figs Against Black


person sits at a white workbench and works on a mosaic

Person Sits At A White Workbench And Works On A Mosaic


person works on their mosaic outdoors

Person Works On Their Mosaic Outdoors


camera looks down at a plate of watermelon and lime

Camera Looks Down At A Plate Of Watermelon And Lime


person sits outdoors and works on a floral glass mosaic

Person Sits Outdoors And Works On A Floral Glass Mosaic


persons uses tweezers to add glass to a mosaic

Persons Uses Tweezers To Add Glass To A Mosaic


breakfast in white crisp bed sheets

Breakfast In White Crisp Bed Sheets


tortoise shell sunglass frames on a white surface

Tortoise Shell Sunglass Frames On A White Surface


flatlay of tortoise shell sunglasses on white

Flatlay Of Tortoise Shell Sunglasses On White


eight bagels on a silver metal cooling rack

Eight Bagels On A Silver Metal Cooling Rack


hand holds tweezers above glass mosaic of flowers

Hand Holds Tweezers Above Glass Mosaic Of Flowers


a person adding glass to their mosaic of flowers

A Person Adding Glass To Their Mosaic Of Flowers


flatlay of artist tools and variety of paint

Flatlay Of Artist Tools And Variety Of Paint


flatlay of a floral mosaic design in progress

Flatlay Of A Floral Mosaic Design In Progress


looking down at mosaic artist making floral design

Looking Down At Mosaic Artist Making Floral Design


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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.