A Guide to Flatlay Photography

Flatlay photography: our tips & tricks for the perfect flatlay photo on Instagram

Perhaps you have never heard of a 'flatlay photo,' but you have undoubtedly seen one. That is certainly the case if you use Instagram. They are those beautiful images photographed from above of, for example, a beautifully presented plate.

In this article, we tell you everything about flatlay photography. Not only how to take the ideal flatlay photo, but also what you need for it and, of course, how best to use these images on Instagram. For example, we also discuss interesting flatlay hashtags. So, a bit of photography, a bit of content creation.

What is flatlay photography?

Brands often use flatlay photos for commercial purposes. For example, to sell products, but sometimes simply for extra content on social media. And it works! Thanks to the attractive arrangement of objects, this type of photography quickly appeals to new customers.

No wonder, then, that flatlay photography has become a major trend. Don't have a clear idea yet of what a flatlay photo looks like? Below you can see some nice examples with different themes. As you can see, it is a well-thought-out image from above. If you also want to take beautiful flatlay photos, be sure to read on!

Why take flatlay Instagram photos?

Flatlay photos are a real trend on Instagram! The main reason for this is how stylish they look. Flatlays on Instagram create atmosphere and a sense of calm at the same time. This is very useful when you want to showcase fashion, beauty, or interior design, but also when you want to capture your personal style in just a single image.

The best thing about flatlays on Instagram? They instantly give your profile a more professional look. Feel free to add some typical flatlay hashtags, such as #flatlaystyle, #platlayphotography, #flatlayoftheday, or #flatlaylove. Other hashtags often applicable to flatlay photos include: #ootd, #foodporn, #bookstagram, #vintage, #art, or #fashionblogger. Do you also want to create the perfect flatlay for your timeline or story? No problem! Our flatlay tips will get you a long way.

Flatlay tips for photographers and content creators

As a budding photographer or (aspiring) content creator, you naturally want to take the perfect flatlay photo. But what is the right background? How do you choose the right objects, and from what distance should you take the photo? Fortunately, we have all sorts of great tips for that! If you follow our step-by-step plan below, you too will undoubtedly soon have a beautiful flatlay.

1. Determine the subject and gather your props

Before you start photographing, let your creative brain really get to work. After all, what do you actually want to capture? Perhaps it concerns a specific product that you or your client sells. Or are you simply looking for a beautiful photo for a particular post? As a true amateur photographer, you might even want to tell an entire story with your flatlay photo. Whatever your subject, you need props.

2. Create your flatlay photography composition

Ever heard of an 'exploded view'? Flatlay photography is an ideal way to showcase every component of a product, like in the photo of the camera below. But of course, you can also arrange other types of products neatly side by side, or place everything next to each other in a playful way. You can see an example of all three of these options below.

As you can see, the composition of your photo is of great importance to its appearance. Do you have a main subject? Then make sure this object is larger than the props surrounding it. It is incredibly fun to play with different arrangements. Leave some space between the various props, place them partially on top of each other, or even stack them. Additionally, try playing with details. How about some pencil shavings near a pencil? These kinds of little things will give your photo more depth.

3. Grab the camera!

Found a great composition? Start taking photos immediately! Take a new photo with every major change to your setup. Of course, first make sure you have a good DSLR or Polaroid camera to take the flatlay photos exactly the way you like them. Although Polaroid cameras aren't very common for taking flatlay photos, they do provide a very nice, distinctive effect. Not entirely satisfied afterwards? Then simply digitally touch up the final result a little!

Bonus tip: try making a Polaroid flatlay too! Your Polaroid camera or Polaroid photos can also be the centerpiece of your flatlay image. This makes for unique snapshots, like in the images below.

Buy a flatlay photography tripod

With flatlay photography, you take the photos exclusively from above. It is not so much about a bird's-eye view in general, but rather a photo taken directly from above. Additionally, flatlay photos are usually extremely sharp. A good wide-angle lens helps with this, but a tripod is also truly indispensable.

If you work without a tripod, it is impossible to capture the exact same composition multiple times. The angles will be different every time. If you have a tripod, you are immediately rid of that problem. And even better: the tripod leaves your hands free. This allows you to easily move items and see the effect of your actions on the photo immediately.

Do you also want to buy a good tripod for flatlay photography? View all tripods from Kamera Express here. Before purchasing a tripod, it is important to check if it is suitable for flatlay photos. You want to be able to rotate the tripod head all the way down with your camera lens between the legs. If this is not possible, the legs will be visible in your photo.

Need tips or advice for your flatlay photo?

Of course, you can always contact Kamera Express if you can't quite figure something out. For example, are you unsure which tripod to buy? We know exactly which tripod fits which camera and what you need for the ideal flatlay photo.