How to do a flat lay product photo from above

A flat lay is a photo taken from directly above products laid on a flat surface. It suits clothing, stationery, jewellery, accessories, food and gift hampers. It is also one of the easiest styles to do at home.

Choose a surface

Use a plain, flat surface: a table with a sheet of chart paper, a bedsheet, a wooden board or a clean floor. Keep it free of creases. The principles in making a white background at home apply here too, but laid flat rather than curved.

Get the camera overhead and level

The phone must be parallel to the surface, or the edges of products will look distorted, with one side bigger than the other.

• Turn on the grid lines to check alignment.
• Hold the phone directly above the product with both hands, or rest it on something stable above.
• Avoid casting your own shadow over the scene.

You do not need any particular rig for this. A pair of stacked chairs with a broom handle across the back, with the phone taped or clipped to it, works as a home arrangement if you want hands-free. Choose what feels safe and stable, and keep the phone from falling.

Light it evenly

Place the table beside a bright window so soft light falls across it. Overhead flat lays suffer from your shadow, so stand to one side and adjust. Add a white card opposite the window to fill the shadows. See using window light and using a white card as a reflector.

Style with restraint

• Keep the product the hero. Props should support it, not compete.
• Use a few props related to the product's use, such as a pen next to a notebook.
• Leave breathing space around the objects.
• Align items either neatly in rows or in a relaxed arrangement, but not halfway between.
• Keep colours simple.

Stay consistent

Use the same distance, angle and background for each product group so your catalogue looks like a set.

Clean and smooth

Lint, dust, fingerprints and wrinkles stand out in flat lays because the camera sees everything from above. Take a minute to brush and steam before each shot.

Take extra angles

A flat lay alone does not show depth. Add a side view and a close-up of detail. For clothes, see photographing clothing without a model.

Check the shot

Look at the preview at full size, especially edges, for blur or tilt. Retake while everything is still in place. For the basic routine, see taking product photos with only a phone.

A word on camera stability

Overhead holding is tiring, so use the timer, and rest your elbows. See keeping photos sharp without a tripod.