Guide to Flat Lay Photography: Ideas, Tools, and Engaging Product Shots

Are you also one of those sellers who want to showcase their brand as stylish, minimal, and perfect? You want to showcase the variety of products (clothing, food, cosmetics, and books) in a very surreal manner, but fail to do so.

With the introduction of online shopping in the 90s, and until now, there have been several changes in the rising demands. One of them is the need for high-quality visuals to set your brand apart.

There are different types of photography according to the different types of products. One of them is flat lay photography, which makes your brand look voguish! 

What is Flat Lay Photography?

To explain you in a very simple language: A bird’s eye view of products arranged on a flat surface is what we call a flat lay photography. You want to showcase your product in a thematic manner? Go for flay lay! 

Flay lay product photography is all about being cost-effective while photographing clothing, skincare, tech accessories, or electronics. 

How to create flat lay photos?

Flat lay photos don’t require any fancy studio shoot or expensive gear to conduct product photography. Here’s an easy guide for you: 

1. Zeroing in on an inspiration

The easiest way to get started in flatlay photography is to start by building a collection of ideas. Pinterest or Instagram serves as the perfect spot for flat lay ideas. Make sure to watch out for subtle differentiators such as the colors, the layout, and the props. Mix and match ideas.

2. Pick the right background

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Next, create a flat lay photography setup for yourself. Setting up a mini studio for flatlay photography does not have to be extravagant. You can use a white backdrop. For a clean and classic setup that is also easy to adjust. Meanwhile, you can also go for textures like marble or wood that add to the interest of your pictures.

3. Select thoughtful props

Here’s the hard part. Choose props that do not distract the hero product. Here’s a quick flat lay photography tip: It is commonly observed that odd numbers often look more natural, while mixing sizes can keep things visually dynamic.

4. Arrange your layout with intention

Once you have your props in place, you can use different possible combinations. Play with layouts. Try grids, S-curves, or triangles. Layering helps, too. Layering different textures prevents the shot from feeling flat without forgetting that it is your star product that should always be in focus.

5. Be perfect with lighting

The next crucial aspect of the entire setup is lighting. Photographers are often advised to use natural light to light the space. If you use artificial lights, you need to make sure that the light source aligns with the product. This will help you avoid odd shadows.

6. Bird-eye View Shot

Stability and alignment are key, considering professional style for flat lay outfit photos or flat lay tech shots. To achieve that, use a tripod and enable grid lines on your camera to center your composition.

7. The final edit

Post the shoot, make use of artificial intelligence. You should use AI tools for further enhancement, like boosting brightness, sharpening details, removing unwanted objects, or adding your brand elements. 

Flat Lay Photography: Pro Tips

• Ensure the hero item is at the center for maximum focus.
• Avoid harsh or direct sunlight. Use curtains. 
• Stick to one source of light to keep shadows soft and natural.

Creative Flat Lay Ideas for Brands

Okay, so we got the setup. The camera’s in place. Found your inspiration.. Now, let’s learn about how to put all this to work. Here are some setups you can try:

• Skincare: Lay down a face mask, towel, and flowers on a pastel backdrop.
• Food: Rich Indian ingredients with the final dish for a perfect mouthwatering shot.

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Flat Lay Photography Setup

Step 1

Mood Board: Gather flat lay inspiration

Step 2

Background: Pick a solid, textured, or digital flat lay background

Step 3

Props & Layout: Choose props that support the story; test flat lay ideas like grids or curves

Step 4

Lighting: Use natural or soft artificial lighting

Step 5

Shooting: Use a tripod or stability tool; shoot top-down flat lay photos

Step 6

Editing: Adjust color, remove background, add overlays using our AI tools

Conclusion

Flat lay photography is more than a trend. It is a strategy for making your products look irresistible and professional, whether you’re promoting them on social media platforms, ecommerce storefronts, or in ads. The best part? With AI tools like Dresma, things get a lot easier.