Since I do a lot of flatlay posts on my blog, but also on my Instagram, I have been getting tons of questions how I make my flatlays and if I have any tips. I never thought of sharing tips because felt like I just had been doing ‘something’. But I do understand it can be hard to start and actually make a flatlay you’re happy with. That’s why I finally decided to dedicate a blog post to it, in the hopes it might help you with creating your own flatlay! 📸
#1 || Decide on a theme
A flatlay always a theme to it. You might not think it does when you see it, but when you see everything on the flatlay you associate it with a theme or idea. So when you’re making a flatlay, ask yourself the question: “What is my flatlay based around?” It can be anything, from a couple essentials (like I do in my essentials posts) to one item you want to put in the spotlight, like a watch.
#2 || The background
There are different ways to do a flatlay. Like the name already says, you can do it by laying everything flat on the ground. If you have a cute floor, that’s a plus! If you don’t, don’t worry. You can buy a large piece of paper (of the color you want) or even a table cloth with a specific print of color. I use a table cloth with a white wash wood pattern on it. That’s how to make an ‘standard’ flatlay. Lately I’ve also been doing it a little different in some of previous posts. For this I have been using my bed as a background. I just put some pillow against the back of my bed and use my duvet cover as well. Different printed or colored duvet covers are great to use as a background for your flatlay. That’s also what I did for the flatlay in this post.
#3 || Add props
A flatlay isn’t completely without the right props. With the props you have to keep your theme in mind. Is the item you want to photograph small? Then don’t use props that are too big. Those will distract the attention away from the items that your flatlay is about. When making an essentials flatlay, you might not really need any props because you don’t want your flatlay to be too busy or look messy. That’s why I always try to pick props that are kind of the same color as the items in the flatlay. Some props you can use are: confetti, plants, flowers, cameras, cards, polaroid photos, books and even your phone. 🌷
#4 || The positioning
Now comes the hardest part (at least I think), the positioning of all the items you have selected. I mostly just start with the biggest items because these take up the biggest space in your flatlay. Don’t put everything close together, so maybe you have to fold the clothes a little bit and space everything out. Then you can go in with all of the smaller items or props and give them a place in the flatlay. It might not look perfect immediately, so always play around with different places for everything until you like how it looks. If you don’t know where to start, you can use my flatlay Pinterest board as inspiration for your own flatlay, because I always think this works very well for me.
#5 || Editing
When you have finally taken photos of your flatlay, it’s time to start editing. I also get so many questions about how I edit my photos and it’s actually very simple. My secret is the ‘fade’ filter from Apple. I know, I know. It’s not on IOS 11, which sucks. But if you download Phonto (IOS & Android), it has the exact same ‘fade’ filter. So this app has really saved my life. When I’ve put the ‘fade’ filter over my photos, I start editing it in VSCO Cam to make a lot lighter because I love my photos to look bright. In this post you can read how I edit my photos step by step, so hopefully that will help.
Now you only have to save your photos and share them wherever you want! In a blog post, just on Instagram or even on Pinterest. It’s so much fun to play around with different flatlays so I really recommend looking for some inspiration and try to creating your own. If you have made any flatlays with my tips, send me your photos on Instagram because I would love to see them! Are you loving flatlays as well? Have you ever made one?
Love,
Neeltje
I absolutely hate that there are no white surfaces in my new home! I love a good white background and now use giant sheets of A2 and A1 white paper for my flatlays. It’s annoying, but oh well! I do love your flatlays a lot! ❤️❤️
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Author
That’s a very good solution if you don’t have any white surfaces! Xx
OMG such a fab post!! I looove a good flatlay and you have styled this up so well
http://www.petiteelliee.com
Ellie xx
Author
Thank you so much! X
Super tof en fijn dit! Hier kan ik wel iets mee!
Author
Ah, fijn om te horen! Xx
Ik heb weer een heleboel geleerd waar ik absoluut niks van wist!
Author
Goed om te horen 🙂
Fijne tips! Daar kan ik ook wat mee!
Author
Fijn om te horen! Dankjewel. X
theres nothing like a good flatlay and i love creating them. yours are just beautiful.
❤︎
http://www.elenaisabelle.com
Author
Thank you so much!
Wat fijn dat je jouw tips met ons deelt, want je maakt inderdaad erg mooie flatlays. Ik probeer het ook vaak, maar ben er niet altijd tevreden over. De juiste props doen inderdaad ook een hele hoop.
Author
Dankjewel! Hopelijk kunnen deze tips je een beetje helpen 🙂
Ik wist niet precies wat een flatlay is, maar dankzij jouw post nu wel. Duidelijke uitleg en de foto’s vind ik prachtig!
Author
Mooi! Dankjewel 🙂
Leuke tips en fijn omschreven. Hier hebben velen veel aan, kan niet anders, leuk hoor!
Author
Dankjewel! X
Mooie foto’s van de producten supergaaf!
Author
Dankje!
Leuke tips! Én mooie foto’s 🙂
Author
Dankjewel!
Super mooie foto’s! Ik ben ook dol op flat lays, ik heb er een heel pinterestboard mee gemaakt haha
Author
Jaa, leuk! Er is zoveel inspiratie te vinden op Pinterest 🙂 X
Omg! I loved this post so so much. I really like to create flatlays myself I’ll try out your tips 🙂
Lots of love, Miri
http://www.meetmiri.com
Author
Ah, let me know if they work for you! Xx
Flatlays seem easy, but it is something to think about when you want a good one. Nice tips you’ve shared here!
Author
Thank you! X
These photos are gorgeous! I realize I am not very good with flatlays. Hopefully some of these tips will help me.
http://www.rosegoldrhyme.com
Author
I bet they will 🙂 X
Leuk om te lezen, ook als man
Author
Mooi om te horen!
Goede tips, ik vind het altijd lastig zeker met het licht. Bedankt voor de tips!
Author
Snap ik! Hopelijk helpen deze tips een beetje 🙂
Super mooie foto’s heb je. Stom, ik maak eigenlijk bijna altijd staande product foto’s, terwijl liggend ook goed werkt.
Author
Liggend is inderdaad ook goed, maar het ligt wel aan het soort producten die je wilt fotograferen 🙂
WoW boeiend! Ik vind flatlays een leuke manier van fotograferen en weet er nu meer van!
Author
Dankjewel!
This is awesome dear! Thanks for the tips. Your photos are lovely.
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Author
Thank you so much! X
I am struggling so much to create nice flatlays ! Thank you for sharing your tips !
https://thefrenchiestblog.wordpress.com
Author
Ah, hopefully these will help you! Xx
Such great tips!
-mainou
http://www.looksbymc.com
Author
Thank you!
I love your tips! The flatlay looks awesome.
http://sugarcoatedbears.blogspot.com/
Author
Thank you! 🙂