How to Create Gorgeous Show Stopping Flatlays

For the visually inspired, photography fans and, oh yes, instagram lovers and all those who just love pretty things a flatlay is a fabulous way to showcase all the things and tell a story. There are those visual storytelling kings and queens who create magic in a single flatlay. While I won’t claim to be on their level I do love creating beautiful flatlays. There are so many options when it comes to creating a flatlay. You can neatly organize by placing items in a grid or go free style and overlap organically. I’m sharing how I like to arrange my flatlays and what props I love to include in my images. Here’s how to create gorgeous show stopping flatlays.

How to Create Gorgeous Show Stopping Flatlays

Let’s start first with some basic concepts. A flatlay essentially is a thoughtfully laid out and constructed image. The key to a flatly is photographing a collection from above. As a “view from above” flatlays are a fun style of photography to showcase just about anything. Let’s get started by choosing a spot with great lighting to shoot in.

Lighting:

As with all photography advice I must start with the most quintessential element of them all. Lighting. Natural lighting to be specific. Natural lighting is your friend. However, the key is for the light to be indirect. Harsh direct lighting in your shot is not your friend. I recommend shooting where you have a good source of beautiful, natural lighting streaming in. You can also experiment with shooting outside as long as shade is available. Throughout the day pay attention to your sources of light around your house to see when and where you have the best natural light. I also use a simple trick to bounce light back towards your flatlay by using a white poster board on the opposite side of your source of light.

Background:

Start with a neutral background and build up from there. Your background can be anything from a rug, the floor, on top of your bed, a blanket, a desktop, counter top or a photo board. You can layer in trays, cutting boards and place mats on top of your background or even use them to serve as backgrounds. Do you want a soft and romantic image, a vintage or modern look? The background you choose will inspire your entire flatlay. I use a simple white poster board or a white foam board covered with a marble contact sheet as flatlay and picture backgrounds. Boards make taking pictures easier because you can place them next to your best source of light. I choose where I take my pictures depending on what time of day I am shooting them.

Composition:

This is one of the most important aspects of photography. It’s so important that you think through the composition of your image. No matter what you are shooting if you compose your image well it can make a world of difference. I like to “shoot with my eye” first. Frame your photo with your eye before looking at the screen of your phone or camera. When I first starting creating flatlays I stuck to a grid to learn this style of photography. Check out the first flatlay I ever shot for Instagram. Here’s another example of a grid flatlay. As I grew comfortable with flatlays I began to break from the grid. I’ve also shared my top 7 tips on taking killer instagram photos, on the blog, if you are looking for even more photography tips.

Getting the Shot:

I usually lay my background on the floor by an open door. This way I get a great source of light, making sure that it’s indirect light. Since we are shooting our flatlays from above having your items laid out on the floor automatically gives you height from above to take your picture. Need even more height? Simply stand on a step stool or chair to get some more distance from above. I don’t generally use a tripod for this type of photography as the legs usually get in the shot, you really need a horizontal arm on your tripod to get the angle right, but I could see that coming in handy. Tripods are especially helpful in low lighting or when shooting with a slower shutter speed as they hold your camera steady.

Now that we’ve established the basics let’s talk about my favorite flatlay elements I use to tell flatlay stories!

Use different elements to tell a story

Books & Bags:

I have an affinity for vintage, specifically antique cameras, books, bags and jewelry. Books and bags bring in really cool textures. They also add an element of another era. To bring in even more texture I’ve used a neutral place mat to serve as a background item. Featured here are my mother’s bible, my great-grandpa’s 1918 journal, a thrifted hand bag and an antique necklace. I like to stick to a color scheme. In the first three images I chose my elements to pair with the wild flowers I used. Shades in the yellow and orange family ranging from the stamen of the flowers to the bag and it’s handle, to the tan place mat create warm tones balanced by whites and greens.

When thrifting for books I take off the slipcovers of hardback books to discover the beautiful covers underneath (as seen above). Books like this are a rare find nowadays, but with a little patience the hunt is well worth it. In this image the color scheme brings in soft pinks and creams for a romantic vibe that fits the vintage book.

Florals, Greenery & Trinkets:

I love florals and greenery in flatlays. The farmer’s market, garden or even wild flowers are my favorite sources to find florals and greens. I’ve partnered delicate trinkets for delicate jasmine. Creating the flatlay pictured below was a work in progress. I started with a simple background like this marble sheet and built up from there. This jasmine comes from a bush on a trellis in my backyard. I gathered a selection of trinkets sticking to a metallic theme. For contrast and texture I used a neutral place mat and bag I made out of a matching place mat. The jasmine forms the borders of the image and then the trinkets are peppered in one at a time. The blue in the passport gives us a pop of complimentary color to go with the highlights of gold, brass and copper elements.

Flatlays with Coffee:

Add anything you want to a coffee flatlay. I tend to use notebooks and pens, a bite to eat, sunglasses and succulents. When taking flatlays in a coffee shop it’s all about working with what you have. I usually bring a pretty journal, pen, book and sunglasses when I go to a coffee shop. Add the purse you are carrying and plants already in the shop. I’ll even borrow a plant or flower arrangement from another table for my shot. Add a hand for a personal touch and feel free to take a bite of your food. I learned this fun trick from Michelle Blanchard, the queen of fabulous flatlays.

This flatlay came together by simply combining what we had with us. Taking flatlays while out with friends comes together quickly when you use what you both brought and of course I’m a fan of everyone sticking their hands in!

Takeaway tip: When it comes to flatlays work with what you have!

Table Settings & Bites:

A beautifully set table and a lovely centerpiece partnered with a tasty treat is a show stopper. I used a few branches with lemons from the lemon tree in my backyard for this shot. For my color scheme blue dishes are the perfect compliment to bright yellow lemons. To top it off my croissants bring in a golden pop of color to the image.

Rugs, Clothing & Accessories:

Texture from rugs, pillows, blankets and clothing are also a pretty part of your flatlay. Rugs, pillows and blankets are a fun way to bring your home elements and decor style into a flatlay. Rugs or blankets make great backgrounds to lay out your items on. You can flatlay outfits, shoes, magazines, or even things you have collections of, like driftwood, seashells, buttons, cameras, office supplies, anything you collect!

Desktop, Accessories & Stationery:

If it’s on your desk show it off! There are no limitations to a desktop flatlay. Let your personality shine through. For me that means elements of vintage, pictures, succulents, sea glass, shells & more. You can show off notecards, journals, Polaroids, office supplies like fancy paper clips and pens. You can also share a collection of paper items saved from a trip like theater play bills, coffee sleeves, admission tickets and so on. I also love featuring products in flatlays. It’s an interesting way of taking pictures of the product, if you want to mix things up. It’s a great way to create travel, seasonal and holiday flatlays as well.

Related: 10 Stock Photography Sites You Need To Check Out Now

Flatlays are one of my favorite ways to capture images. From carefully laid out grids to organic and flowing views from above, use these easy photography and composition tips to create your own beautiful and engaging flatlay images. Now that I’ve shown you how to create gorgeous show stopping flatlays I hope you’ll have some fun putting these tips into action. Be sure to use #happilydwell on Istagram so I can see all of your fabulous creations!

Tell me do you take flatlays? What is your favorite thing to photograph?

xoxo Naomi

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