A Guide to Flatlay Photography

It’s absolutely no secret that at TLC we LOVE original photography. Maybe it’s because we love taking photos, or maybe it’s because we know that original and unique photography elevates any (and all) brand(s). Whatever the reason, we know that there are countless reasons to love photography. On that note, today we will be talking about one of our fave types of photography; flatlays. We will chat about the benefits of using flatlays and provide a guide to flatlay photography, so that you can create these visual gems yourself!

According to Nikon, a “flat lay is simply an image shot directly from above – a bird's eye view of an array of carefully arranged objects.” Flatlays are especially popular in lifestyle, food, and fashion photography because they can quickly and visually depict a complex theme or tell a story. In fact, a good flatlay almost always tells a visual tale, and can be key to relaying information about your product, service, or brand. Flatlays are also versatile and great for a number of different platforms including social media such as Instagram, websites, and e-newsletters because they can instantly communicate information about your business. They are also super fun and relatively easy to create, read on for some tips in our guide to flatlay photography…

Weave a Story - Choose Your Main Character!

The main point of a flatlay photo is to tell a story about a specific product or service you and your biz offers. Therefore, the best flat lays always focus on a “main character” of sorts. This can be a product you are launching, a visual representation of a service, or something that goes with the theme of your brand. Once you’ve chosen a theme, surround your “main character” with other complimentary objects that create a harmonious and cohesive look and feel. As maximalist, we like to create fuller flatlays, but a minimalist approach also works, especially if you also want to add text to your photo. Keep in mind your boundaries and try to fit most of the objects within the visual boundaries you set for your flatlay. It is lovely, however, to have objects such as ribbons or beads weave in and out of your frame for visual continuity.

Create a Background - Keep it simple!

The background for your flatlay should not overshadow your main character, hence always choose your flatlay's background with care. Although a plain white background is very popular and often effective, it can also look a little stark and dull in photos. Instead try something with a little texture. For example a simple hardwood floor, or plain rug make for great backgrounds because they add some texture and also interest in your final photo. They are also not overwhelming and tend to be fairly neutral. But don't be afraid to experiment with different colours and textures, such as fabric, wrapping paper, wallpaper, or even other objects stacked on top of one another (see example below). As long as you stay true to your brand, you cannot go wrong!

BONUS TIP: Always think ahead about where you will be using your flatlay. This will dictate whether your flatlay orientation will be landscape or portrait. Portrait flatlays work great for socials while landscape tend to suit websites a bit more.

Texture, Texture, and more Texture!

Choosing objects that are different textures to your flatlay not only elevate your photo but add an element of depth and uniqueness. One way to do this is to choose objects of various dimensions. Don’t worry too much about whether or not your objects have the same height, for example, adding variation in texture will enhance the look of the flatlay. For example, adding a tea cup full of tea alongside a notebook creates a rich depth of field and an interesting visual combination. Just be cognizant of your light, as some higher objects can cast shadows. It is always a good rule of thumb to position yourself right above your flatlay and photograph directly above. Using a tripod is great for flatlays for this exact reason, but free-holding your camera or phone also works!

BONUS TIP: If you are using a camera, make sure to choose a narrow aperture (f4+), that way all of your objects are in focus!

Know Your Brand!

The most important aspect of your flatlay is to keep it consistent with your brand. Brand consistency ensures brand recognition, cohesiveness, as well as trust. One way to maintain your brand identity in your flatlays is to use your brand colours throughout. A great way to incorporate your brand colours is to weave ribbon or fabric in your brand colours throughout your flatlay. This technique also adds texture (as we talked about above!) Furthermore, using objects that depict your services or ones that you associate with your business are great to incorporate into your flatlay photos. Using any kind of objects with your business logo is also a great way to maintain brand consistency. Whatever you choose, we always recommend being creative and having fun with your photos, this will ensure the best results every time!

According to Adobe, “Flatlay photography is a great way for people to get to know the person behind the scenes and the world that they live in,” because they “give the creator complete control over the composition, and the message the image sends.” We couldn’t agree more! Flatlays are amazing at making your brand relatable, consistent, and visually engaging. Plus they are super fun to create! If you want to know more about our flatlay and photography packages, get in touch and let’s get creative together!

Different examples of flatlays taken with a professional camera and also an iPhone - key is to have fun with your flatlays but also maintain brand consistency!