Flat-lay images are simple yet have an artistic vision to them. There is undoubtedly a trend in product photography to speak of, with millions of photographs collected on Instagram as flat-lay photographs.
A flat lay is a style of photography or arrangement in which objects or items are laid out on a flat surface and photographed from directly above. This is the best way to present your products to your audiences. You can compare it with tabletop photography, but the only difference is flat lay photography is more suitable for clothing and fashion-related items.
Many e-commerce enterprises opt for this method of presenting their fashion and cosmetic products. Therefore, we’ve put up a complete flat-lay clothing photography guideline with suggestions on product setup, photo sessions, and post-production to help you learn more about flat-lay photography for clothing.
What is flat-lay Photography, and How Does it Differ From Other Types of Photography?
Image source: shutterstock.com
A flat lay is when things are arranged neatly in different styles on a flat surface and then photographed from above. The bird’s eye view is another name for it. Fashion photography studios take this flat lay photo which is highly demanded in e-commerce industries.
There are no angles shown since the surface and the lens is parallel from a fixed distance apart. Instead, the picture displays a specific aspect taken from a similar position above the surface, which is flat.
A bird’s eye view of what you are capturing is a trendy genre of photography on social media platforms. It’s a fantastic method to showcase the items of a small business as an eCommerce business.
People often prefer this type of photography as they can use their smartphones to shoot and the whole process is cost-effective and consumes less time.
Importance of Flat Lay Photography in eCommerce Business
Image source: packshot-creator.com
If you’re looking for an innovative way to promote your business, flay lay styling photos are a great way to do it. You may utilize a variety of props to get people thinking about your brand and its products. In addition, this is a great way to show your products and call attention to the things in your life that you enjoy photographing.
When it comes to garment photography, you can use this photography technique in various ways. Though table top including for your website, social media, and more.
We strongly encourage business owners to be creative and strategic in using flat lays because they are different and have a lifestyle feel to them. Make the most of your flat lays in your marketing efforts, whether it’s an Instagram campaign or a landing page for your website.
You may tell an incoherent story through flat lays. However, your ideal customers will be able to learn more about your business than they could have learned through your website or a well-executed marketing campaign.
As a result, this way of promoting your apparel photographs as an eCommerce seller is incredibly advantageous because it allows customers to experience your style, vision, and tone firsthand through flat lay styling photography.
How to take the best Flat Lay Clothing Photography?
Getting Things Ready
Select the clothing items and accessories you want to photograph. Ensure they are clean, without wrinkles, and well-maintained to take shoot photos. Gather props like jewelry, shoes, flowers, hats, and sunglasses, or any items that complement your clothing and add visual interest.
Table for Photographing Flat lays
To take flat-lay photos, you’ll need to use specialized equipment such as a camera mount and a backlit table. In addition, there is lateral lighting that can be controlled in terms of intensity and range.
Tripod to Hold The Camera
Image source: whatshepictures.com
Two of the main elements for flat lay photography are the height at which the photo is taken with a high-quality clear shot. Both of these can be solved if you use a tripod as you can adjust the height of the legs and not have to worry about any shakiness of the camera ruining the image.
Pay Attention to Lighting
Image source: hypop.com.au
Lighting equipment is essential things for photography, as different kinds of lighting can set the mood for a shot. Even flat-lay images required well light. For instance, you can utilize natural lighting to make the picture feel warmer and more welcoming while opting for dark and shadowy lighting will make the image moody. So, to get the best results, a good natural light source is mandatory.
Get Creative with the Background
Image Source: youtube.com
The background attracts the attention of viewers and also enhances the photo. Choose and set up your background depending on the theme of your product. Choosing the right background is a crucial aspect of flat lay photoshoots, as it sets the stage for your composition and helps your clothing items stand out. Neutral backgrounds like white, gray, beige, or pastel shades work well because they don’t distract from the clothing items. Besides, contrasting Colors, textures, patterns, and cleanliness are some crucial points for flat lay shoot.
Add Complexity with Layers
Image source: spectrum-brand.com
Using multiple layers like different colors and props for the background gives more visual appeal. You can also make an illusionary layer by making the camera’s depth of field shallow, so the background looks infinite. This photoshopping technique is reliable for taking baby clothes and long sleeves dresses.
Closeups for Details
Along with full-body photos, you’ll also need to take close-ups of your products so your customers know the product better. Especially when you want to highlight specific details or features, close-up shots are essential. These shots can help your audience appreciate the texture, stitching, patterns, and other intricate elements of the clothing or accessories you’re showcasing.
Setting Up the Shot
Image source: youtube.com
Composing the image according to the product is very important because it is the deciding factor if the image and hence the product is attractive or not. Choosing the right way to place your clothing and props in a way that complements each is something you’ll need to be careful about.
Stand Out with Contrast and Color
To make your product pop out and look more appealing, you will need to use backgrounds or backdrops of the opposite color to the product. For example, you can use dark wallpapers for light-colored clothing items.
Editing in Post-Production
Post-production is extremely important to give your product photo the final touch. Color correction and retouching are the most common edits, along with fixing details like tiny blemishes or light flare.
Photo editing is one of the essential parts of any photography; therefore, getting a photo editing service for your eCommerce business is always worth it and is also recommended by experts. In this case, Adobe Photoshop widely used tool.
For affordability, you can always opt for an online photo editing company that gives out good and professional services, such as UK Clipping Path.
What Are the Equipment Needed for Flat Lay Clothing Photography?
Image source: shutterstock.com
Flat lay photography is one of the easiest clothing photography techniques to master, but even then, it needs work and time out into it. It’s the same with photographic equipment.
While it may seem like this type of photography needs nothing more than a sturdy tripod and a phone camera, there is a lot more equipment needed to create the perfect setup. Here are some of the most important and basic equipment needed for professional flat-lay clothing photography.
High-Quality Camera
While this seems like a given, you will have the best chance of getting perfect shots with a DSLR rather than an average phone camera. This is because DSLR allows more details and intricacies to be visible and enhances the image’s visual appeal through various camera settings. Also, it can help you to control shutter speed, white balance, ISO, aperture, and focal length more professionally.
Extra Lens
It is always recommended to have multiple lenses with different variations available to have multiple options during shoot flat lay.
Studio Lights
While natural sunlight should always be on the top of the list, artificial lights can work wonders as well. You can manipulate the lighting to give the desired shadow effect you’re trying to achieve. It can take minutes to arrange proper lights.
Double Sided Tape
This may seem trivial, but a double-sided tape can prove to be a lifesaver when needed. It is perfect for when you need to fasten the clothing article to the platform for it to be still.
White Coloured Board
A whiteboard can be perfectly used as an alternative for reflectors as they can be quite pricey. You can also use the board as a backdrop or the platform for your photograph.
Tips On Flat Lay Clothing Photography
Image source: shutterstock.com
Tell a Story
Think about the story or message you want your flat lay to convey. Whether it’s a fashion trend, a seasonal theme, or a personal style, your composition should tell a narrative. Creative flat lay shoots are more attractive and easy to connect with the audience.
Complete the Outfit
Compose the entire outfit and take the photo with all of the outfit articles visible so that the viewer can understand how your product can look good if they buy it.
Follow a Color Scheme
Arrange your backdrops and props in a way that matches the color of the clothing product to have a consistent theme. This gives the picture an aesthetic vibe.
Layer Your Clothing Items
Set your clothes in the way a person would wear them. For example, put the shirt inside the jacket to make it seem like a ghost mannequin.
Don’t Limit Frame
When shooting the pictures, keep your canvas as open as possible without affecting the picture as it will give you more room to work with, especially in post-production.
Take Multiple Shots
The best way to secure the perfect photo to upload is when you’ll have lots of different shots to choose from, as you will be able to see which one came out better.
Variation In Angles
While there might not be much to change from the high-centered angle, you can change it up occasionally by tilting the camera to the right or left for a little variety. Hence you can try standing on a step ladder or a stool to get more photography angles.
Final Words
If you’re a beginner photographer, flat lay photography clothing may seem like a lot of work, and you may feel intimidated. However, the key to successful photography is practice and time.
So follow these tips to the best of your ability and pay attention to your photo editing in the post-production process, as it plays a huge role in product photography.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Flat Lay Photography
What are the benefits of using a wide-angle lens for flat-lay clothing photography?
The wide-angle lens helps to capture a larger area in one frame. Thus it allows us to include more products/ objects (clothing items or accessories) in lay shots. It also adds a unique view by adding dimension to your photographs.
How do I minimize shadows in my flat-lay photos?
There are some simple ways to minimize shadows in a flat-lay image and get the best clothing images. You can use diffusers or softboxes to create a more even and diffused lighting environment. This will help you achieve natural shadows. Alternatively, you can experiment with different lighting angles to reduce the appearance of shadows in your photo.
Can I shoot flat-lay clothing photos with my iPhone?
Yes, you can shoot flat-lay photography clothing with your iPhone or using a high-end Android smartphone. But, this may need some additional try adding adequate lighting equipment, achieving proper positioning, and utilizing the right camera apps that offer additional white balance, iso, and editing capabilities.
How can I avoid distortion in my flat-lay photos?
To avoid distortion in your flat-lay photos, it’s important to position the camera directly above the subject. Besides, ensure that the camera lens is pointing parallel to the flat surface. This will help maintain the natural proportions and lines of the clothing items. However, pay extra action to the shadows in a flat lay.
What are some popular mobile apps for editing flat-lay clothing photos?
There are several popular mobile apps for editing flat-lay photos. Such as Adobe Lightroom, Snapseed, VSCO, and Facetune. These apps offer a range of editing tools and filters to enhance your photos and make them more visually appealing. Some even have minimal lighting solutions to adjust the white balance. Without distorting the product, you can produce outstanding photos.
