How To Capture The Perfect Flat Lay Photograph

Curious about how to create that perfectly styled Instagram flat lay photograph? Here are our secrets for photographing a seemingly curated flat lay.

3 tips to help you capture the perfect flat lay photograph.

How to Take a Perfect Flat Lay Photograph

1. Use natural lighting

My number one tip for photographing a flat lay image (and pretty much anything else) is to be mindful of your source of light. Natural light gives images a beautiful, soft look. This means that everything in your photograph is evenly lit, avoiding heavy shadows.

To achieve this look, make sure to set up your flat lays next to a big window in order to have an abundance of natural light available.

2. Use a clean, plain backdrop

Sometimes less is more. Neutral backgrounds work best when photographing flat lays. This ensures your products stand out and do not compete with the background. If you’re ever in a rut, make sure to check out our post about backgrounds under $10.

Some of the most popular backgrounds are: foam board, marble contact paper, and construction paper.

3. Use the rule of odds

Studies have shown that things are more pleasing to the eye when grouped in odd numbers. When styling your flat lay photograph, make sure to have a focal point grouped in 3 (or another odd number). I promise it will make a difference.

As always, practice makes perfect. So make sure to arrange and rearrange your props until you are satisfied with the end result. Always take more shots than you think you’ll need and play around with the distance between your camera and your subject, as well as the distance between the objects you are styling. More often than not, you are going to realize that your props need to be closer together than you initially thought they did.

More Photography Tips

Check out all of our photography tips here and visit our photography Pinterest board.

Follow The SITS Girls’s board Photography Tips & Tutorials on Pinterest.

About the Author
Latest Posts

About Alina Thomas

Alina is a Northern Virginia wedding photographer based out of Leesburg, VA. She has a passion for arts and design, and strives to express it through her work. She is creative at heart and loves nothing more than sharing her knowledge in photography with other Virginia wedding photographers on her blog each week. Alina loves being a new mom to her first-born and spending time with her husband who helps her run her businesses. Please feel free to follow her on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest or Google+.