What Is Flat Lay Photography?
Flat lay photography is a shooting style where objects are arranged on a flat surface and photographed from directly above — also called a bird's-eye or overhead perspective. Popular across food, fashion, travel, and product photography, the flat lay meaning is simple: everything lies flat, the camera shoots straight down, and the result is a clean, graphic image that draws the viewer's eye to every detail. Whether you're shooting for Instagram, an online store, or a personal blog, understanding flat lay photography is the first step to creating images that stop the scroll.
If you're into food photography, travel, or fashion photography, there's a good chance you're familiar with flat lay photography. Beloved by Instagrammers and product photographers alike, flat lay photos are images taken directly from above, with all items laid out flat on a table or other surface. The clean, minimalist photo composition style makes it easy to see details, and is a fun way to play with scale.
Before you start spreading out items on your table and snapping away, it's important to learn how to style flat lay photos. For impactful flat lay images that don't look like you've just tipped the contents of your photography bag onto the table, you'll need a little bit of forward planning. Read on for our top 6 essential flat lay photography tips, from which props to use to how to set up your tripod.
1. Choose a good flat lay background
As the term "flat lay photography" suggests, it's important to lay your objects out on a surface that is, well, flat. A table or counter will usually do the trick, but your bed or the floor can also make great flat lay backdrops! Once you've found a relatively flat surface, the only limit to your background is your imagination.
Having said this, it's generally a good idea to choose a plain, nondescript background that will let your items really "pop". You might want to tape down some poster paper, lay out a sheet or tablecloth, or even roll out some fabric for a textured or themed background for your flat lay product photography.
2. Select your flat lay props carefully
When it comes to flat lay styling, choosing the right props is critical — after all, they are the main focus of your image. The best flat lay photographs contain a curated selection of objects that include a few large, main elements surrounded by smaller, related items placed carefully for maximum impact.
If you're interested in flat lay food photography, for example, you can try using your finished product as the main element and surrounding it with the ingredients that went into it. If you've just whipped up a batch of cookies, this could mean surrounding them with a scattering of the choc chips you used, as well as a tall glass of milk.
Top tip: Need some inspiration before you start shooting? Try searching the hashtag #flatlay on Instagram to see what other photographers have been getting up to.
3. Remember photo composition techniques
When it comes time to shoot, don't just lay all your objects in the middle of the frame and start shooting. Flat lay photography is essentially a type of still life photography, meaning you can — and should — take your time to consider your photo composition and the placement of each object. If you enjoy this deliberate, object-focused approach, our guide on how to take good still life photos explores the style in even greater depth.
Particularly if you're new to photography, mastering basic photo composition techniques such as the Rule of Thirds can help you learn how to take a good flat lay photo. For a deeper dive into these principles, our beginner's guide to photography composition covers the Rule of Thirds and much more. By dividing your frame vertically and horizontally into thirds and placing objects at intersecting points between these segments, you'll achieve a striking, well-balanced composition.
Top tip: Another photo composition technique to try for flat lays is negative space photography for a minimalist flat lay feel, which creates drama by framing your objects with white space.
4. Set up a tripod
Besides a camera, the most important piece of equipment for flat lay photography is a suitable tripod. If you're not sure which model to choose, our roundup of the best tripods for photos and videos will help you find the right fit. If you're taking flat lay photos with your iPhone, you can invest in a smartphone tripod. The best flat lay photos are taken with the camera pointing directly down, and not at an angle. To achieve this, look for a tripod that has the ability to shoot directly down — not all models can do this, so be sure to double check before you get started.
Don't have access to a tripod? No worries! With a little extra care, you should be able to shoot handheld. To do this, turn up your shutter speed and use a stabilised stance to limit camera shake. If you've laid your objects out on a table or other elevated surface, don't forget that you need to be higher than the surface for a good shot — in this case, a step ladder or other sturdy platform is usually your best bet.
5. Consider your lighting
The best lighting for flat lays is always soft, even natural light. To capture this, choose your position and the time of day at which you plan to shoot carefully, and always try to shoot next to a window if you're planning to work indoors. In general, you'll want to avoid shooting in direct sunlight, which can cause harsh highlights and shadows.
If you don't have access to suitable natural light or want a more consistent output, artificial lighting is your best bet. Insufficient lighting can cause grainy and dull images, so grab a lamp, portable LED light, or other studio lighting device before you start snapping away.
Top tip: To mimic the look of natural light, use a flashgun with a softbox, which will help diffuse the light.
6. Don't be afraid to edit
While it's tempting to upload your images to social media straight away and watch the likes roll in, a little patience goes a long way! Carefully adjusting the white balance, contrast, and exposure can take your flat lay photo If you're not sure how white balance works or how to set it manually, our complete guide to white balance explains everything you need to know. from "good" to "great", as can a slight crop. Not sure which app to use? Our guide to the best photo editing software in 2026 breaks down the top options for every budget.
For many experienced flat lay photographers, the editing stage is considered an equally fulfilling creative task. It's a chance to let your imagination run wild and really dial up the drama on your image, or to even add text and create a finished, shareable story. If you're planning to do this, keep the text short and snappy and remember to leave space for it as you shoot.
Good flat lay photography is a content creator's best friend
There's a good reason why so many stylists, influencers, and vloggers love flat lay photos: they're a great way to make a strong visual statement and really tell a story. Plus, the best flat lay photos elevate the objects within the frame from the status of everyday items to interesting, artistic objects in their own right.
Ready to try your hand at this photography technique? Explore our wide range of cameras online now, or discover more content creation tips for social media on our blog today!
Flat Lay Composition Tips
Strong flat lay composition is what separates a cluttered overhead snapshot from a polished, scroll-stopping image. Keep these principles in mind every time you set up a shot.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flat Lay Photography
What camera settings are best for flat lay photography?
For flat lay photography, a low ISO (100–400) will keep your images clean and noise-free. Use a mid-range aperture such as f/5.6–f/8 to ensure everything in the frame is sharp, and adjust your shutter speed to suit your lighting conditions. If you're shooting handheld without a tripod, bump up the shutter speed to at least 1/125s to avoid camera shake.
Can I take flat lay photos with a smartphone?
Absolutely! Modern smartphones — especially flagship models from Apple, Samsung, and Google — are more than capable of producing stunning flat lay images. For best results, shoot in the highest resolution available, use portrait or pro mode to control exposure, and pair your phone with a smartphone tripod so you can shoot directly overhead without any wobble.
What is the best background for flat lay photography?
The best flat lay backgrounds are clean, simple, and non-distracting. Popular choices include white poster board, marble contact paper, wooden boards, linen fabric, and kraft paper. The right background depends on your subject — a rustic wooden surface suits food photography, while a crisp white background works well for product or fashion flat lays.
How do I avoid shadows in flat lay photos?
Shadows are most commonly caused by harsh, direct light coming from a single source. To minimise shadows, shoot near a large window with soft, diffused natural light, or use a softbox or diffuser with your artificial lighting. Positioning your light source at a low, even angle relative to your flat lay surface can also help spread light more evenly across the scene.
How many props should I include in a flat lay?
Less is generally more when it comes to flat lay styling. A good rule of thumb is to start with one or two hero items, then add three to five smaller supporting props. Step back and review the composition before adding anything else — overcrowding the frame can make an image feel chaotic and hard to read. Odd numbers of objects often create more visually appealing compositions than even numbers.
What is the difference between flat lay and overhead photography?
Flat lay photography is a subset of overhead photography. Both involve shooting from directly above, but flat lay photography specifically refers to images where all objects are lying flat on a horizontal surface. Overhead photography can include subjects shot from above at varying angles or heights, whereas flat lay images are always shot at a true 90-degree angle to the surface below.
Do I need a special tripod for flat lay photography?
Not necessarily, but you do need a tripod that supports overhead shooting. Look for models with a centre column that can be repositioned horizontally, or a boom arm attachment, so you can mount your camera directly above your flat lay surface. Many standard tripods cannot achieve this angle, so check the specifications before you buy. Overhead flat lay tripod rigs and tabletop studio stands are also purpose-built options worth considering. Browse our full range of professional tripods and monopods to find the right fit for your setup.