The Ultimate Guide To The Perfect Flatlay

I admit that I haven’t perfected the art of taking a flatlay, like a lot of things to do with blogging and the photography that comes with it, I’m still learning. However I have collected together a few tips and tricks to boost up your flatlay game and show off your products in the best way possible.

Choose a subtle background

For a flatlay, in the majority of cases, the background, for example the table the products are lying on, shouldn’t be the main focus of the shot. Unless the background is something to do with the post (perhaps you’re doing a post about a particular restaurant and their tables match their theme), then I’d try and use a subtle, light coloured background. From looking at other flatlays people presume that every blogger in the land has completely white bedsheets, a white table and a marble table but that’s probably far from true.

Instead of a white table I place products on top of a white pillow (if they’re small products)(as seen here), lie a white blanket over my dining table or on the floor (for outfit posts and shoe posts)(as seen here) or I create a mini studio with two pieces of A4 paper, one on the windowsill and one up against the window (for products that need to be photographed ‘standing up’)(as seen here). I’ve also seen many bloggers buy a square piece of marble patterned paper/material to create the look of a marble table and I too am on the lookout for a similar thing!

Use props

I’ve started a little collection of props that I tend to use in my posts, including flowers, magazines, lipsticks, jewellery and even cups of tea!  Flatlays often need some other decoration beside the product to make them look professional and put together. I try and use real flowers if I can but I have used fake flowers in the past (see here), they add a natural and beautiful touch. For magazines I often have them open on a fashion collection or advertisement that ties into the post, like Chanel for Chanel inspired shoes. Lipsticks should have their lid off and be twisted up to see the colour to look the best and jewellery can be ‘strewn around’.

Make it fit your personality

Flatlays are a very good representation of you, your blog and what you’re interested in. Try and include products as decoration that mean as much to you as the product you’re actually showing off. This will help your audience begin to understand what you’re into and who you are.

Flatlays are a very important part of blogging and it can take a lot of time to get them just right so don’t be disheartened if it doesn’t work the first few times. Also, don’t be afraid to mix it up every so often and try out different props to get the perfect flatlay!

Shop the products featured in this post – Chanel Dupes // White Block Heels // Bourjois Red Lipstick //

Love Chloe x

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