Mastering Flat Lay Clothing Photography: A Step-by-Step Guide

Photo of objects or things arranged on a flat surface generally shot from above is called Flat Lay photo or photographic style. Flat Lay image is so commonly seen in the field of ecommerce products.

Especially in the clothing or fashion industry the lay-flat styled image is suitable to capture every detail of various clothing items, such as your T-shirt, Jeans, baby dresses, invitation suite, rings, shoes, sunglasses and flowers, all photographed from above.

Why Flat Lay technique is so popular

Flat lay is an excellent way to compose a single or a multiple subject adding various types of props that helps create depth and magnify the product impression, in a uniquely composed frame.

Social media, online stores, marketing posters, banners etc. all are full of this type of still life photography. Flat Lay is so popular, because it can show everything from a layout, and it is so easy and quick to take an image with minimum effort and budget.

Among all other photographic techniques, white background is the most popular but Flat-lay stands in second. Let’s discuss why this style get so much used in various sectors:

1. Easy to learn

No matter if you’re a not professional photographer or just a beginner, anyone can excel in capturing stunning flat lays. You don’t need to have neither advanced photography skill nor extensive technical expertise. Read this blog and related posts from our website carefully, you can know quickly how to take Flat Lay photography, of course you need proper dedication and practice.

2. Your Home is your studio

Flat Lay photography can be managed at home, not necessarily spending on setting up a studio. What you need to start with is just a flat surface, a camera or mobile phone with a good camera like iPhone 15, a few props, a basic lighting setup, and the item you want to photograph.

It’s a budget-friendly option that allows you to create beautiful clothing images right from the comfort of your own space.

3. Let you be a creative

You will get enough opportunities to implement your creativity in Flat-lay photography. You are free to experiment with different props, camera angles, lighting, backdrops in the image whatever you want.

4. Time-saving solution

In ecommerce product photography you have to shoot a large quantity of images frequently, so saving time is necessary to manage everything. If you are on a budget, you may not have a media team available, this is the shortcut technique for taking images in a short period of time.

5. DIY Method:

It’s a super simple DIY method that can be turned out by yourself with a little effort. This is one of the key reasons for its widespread acceptance, as unlike other photography methods, capturing flat lays requires minimal setup and preparation.

Equipment and Props accessories for flat-lay clothing photography

The flat-lay photo technique is user-friendly and accessible for small business owners, students, stay-at-home parents, and self-entrepreneurs alike. To capture high-quality images or create stunning photographic impressions, certain tools are needed, but these can often be gathered from everyday items.

Let’s discuss some tools required for Flat-lay photography.

1. Background equipment:

To create a background in accordance with your products, subject of image, you’ll need some equipment. This could be a backdrop made up of a long piece of cloth, paper, cock-sheet, hardboard, or even a smooth wooden or stone table surface. Alternatively, you can use any flat floor surface. One should customize the surface following one’s theme like background color, texture and product type.

2. Studio Equipment:  

Camera, tripod, lights are The Three Musketeers to accomplish the mission of studio lighting setup in a small range. A DSLR or MILC, DSLM {mirrorless} camera cannot ever go wrong, but you can also start by using your smartphone or an iPhone {link} to take flat-lay photography.
In that case, you have to keep in mind concentrating on the post editing phase, which we will talk about later in this discussion.
By default, most DSLRs come with 18-55mm lenses which is ideal for sharp focus especially on clothing items.
A tripod will help you refrain from shaking your camera, so this is another must have, including required to snap quality product images.

3. Studio Lights: 

Natural light lets a camera be the supreme source of visioning power for its lenses. Other than that, some basic supporting lights like LED, yellow bulb, Baby halogen, and umbrella light can be used in DIY methods.

When you go through with the full for Flat-lay photography, you may have to buy some specialized lighting equipment, like speedlights or flashlights, studio light or strobe lighting and continuous light. modeling lights

4. Soft-box:

A softbox is a tool of photographic lighting that modifies a soft source of light. Casting direct lights on subjects can often result in harsh shadows which can be particularly problematic in flat-lay clothing photography where multiple items are arranged together.

Softbox diffuses and distributes that harsh light evenly within its wire frame box and thus softens or neutralizes it. In the distribution process, it transmits its own light over the multiple items minimizing the harsh light.

5. Reflectors:

A reflector reflects light to balance and drive away the dark shadows from the frame. The use of reflectors is another essential tool for fashion flat-lay photography.

It also bounces light back onto the subject, helping to fill in shadows and create a more balanced and evenly lit image.

You can make this tool using household materials like whiteboards, flat cock-sheet with foil paper to bounce and diffuse light.

6. Other important equipment:

In the craft room, there was a short list of other important equipment for flat lay photography. This includes color paper for creating backdrops for vivid color effects with the product’s story or theme.
A clothes iron is crucial for removing any unwanted creases, wrinkles from fabrics or backdrops, ensuring a flawless scene.

Different types of tapes like scotch tape, masking, transparent tape, and double-sided tape are a must for securing items, preventing any unwanted shifts during the shoot.

Props: The supporting role of your story

Other than the main selling products, every object in the image is considered as props. Props help to bring your flat lay photo story to life, transforming it into a captivating zone. Especially with clothing, which is all about fashion and relates to our daily culture, taste and choices relating to the consumer’s psychology. Props assist to touch at the subconscious level of mind.

These items convey the theme and fill up empty spaces, supporting the story you want to tell with the products you’re going to sell. Here’s how each prop can play a role:

• Books: Add a touch of intellect and curiosity, just like they do on a bookshelf at home.
  
• Coffee mugs: Bring a sense of warmth and comfort, much like your morning coffee routine.
  
• Watches: Represent the passage of time and add a hint of sophistication, similar to their role on your wrist.
  
• Flowers: Provide a pop of color and a natural, fresh element, mimicking their beauty in a garden.
  
• Perfume bottles: Offer a puff of elegance and allure, much like they do on a vanity table.
  
• Notebooks: Showcase ideas and planning, just like they do during a brainstorming session.
  
• Earphones: Suggest a world of music and entertainment, mirroring their use in daily life.
  
• Cameras: Capture moments and memories, exactly as they do in reality.
  
• Lipsticks: Add a dash of glamor and self-expression, reflecting their role in a makeup bag.
  
• Sunglasses case: Hint at sunny adventures and protection, just like it does when you’re out and about.

Each prop brings a unique aspect to your photo story, making it more engaging and relatable.

How to do perfect Flat Lays Photography for clothing brands

1. Plan Carefully

Brainstorming or planning is always a good and mandatory practice to begin everything. The best flat lay Photography are planned out before you even pick up your camera. Sketch out your layout and gather all the necessary props and clothing items.

The more you prepare, the more productive your flat lay shoot will be. Think and re-think and make a To-do List one by one, actually what you need to tell the story of your brand. For instance, you can start hypothetically on the purpose of your shoot and the message you want to convey. Then write down those in your workbook and number them.
You can sketch on a mood board, or a digital sketchbook, that makes you more constructive and organized.

2. Getting Things Ready

When you get the outline, color theme, color palette of the composing story of the image, now it’s time to gather up your products and props that complement your clothing items and all the necessary equipment, including your camera, tripod, and props. Ensure your workspace is clean and well-lit.

Next up is the preparation step. Make sure your clothes are clean, ironed, and wrinkle-free. Lay them out neatly on the flat surface. Also, double-check that your equipment is set up properly, working well, and securely in place.

3. Build Your Story

Flat lay photographic technique lets you create a narrative around your clothing products. There is always a story behind every composition of image, it must have a message to relate subconsciously when a viewer watches the artwork.

It’s a visual language, drawn into a single frame, magnifying the core message. The result? A cohesive and eye-catching image that turns people in.

We usually narrate the story or overall composition with the main products, props and their color, and finally the pattern, position and combination.

Color speaks to the human mind. It triggers emotions, sends messages, and stirs desires. Photographers use this power to design color schemes that represent the products we aim to sell.

Your story could be conveyed with a seasonal theme, a specific color palette, or a lifestyle concept, and the other props spaced in the frame properly.

Imagine a flat lay featuring summer clothing for any brands. A bright red dress could grab attention instantly—red is bold and passionate, sparking excitement. Next to it, a pair of yellow sandals radiate warmth and happiness, evoking sunny days.

An orange scarf brings in energy and creativity, making the outfit feel fun and adventurous. Finally, touches of soft pink accessories like a delicate hat or bracelet, add a touch of femininity and playfulness; or some leaves of organic light green as props, can flourish purity and innocence.

Together, these colors create a story of vibrant summer days, making the products not just items of clothing but an experience you want to wear.

4. Create Theme

If I get more specific, A theme ties all the elements of your flat lay together. The overall mood or feeling or vibe conveyed by the selected colors and props. It’s the guiding idea of your total composition. This theme will tell us which colors are to choose for creating the color scheme or palette. For example, we can name the theme “summer warmth” or “fresh elegance”, we may choose red, yellow, blue, orange, pink, and green etc.

This theme will guide us which the colors are to choose for creating the color scheme or palette

5. Color Palette or Color Scheme:

A color theme provides a broad range of colors to work with, but to create a cohesive color scheme or palette to carry out the theme, you need to select just two or three key colors that harmonize well together. As 2 to 4 colors make the best color combinations, balancing harmony and contrast without overwhelming the design. In our case, the theme ‘summer warmth’ would be vibrant, energetic summer fun, and the scheme could revolve around complementary warm tones balanced with cooler or neutral shades for harmony.

Now, let’s talk about the best color combinations. Since you’re working with bold, warm colors, you can either go with a primary color scheme—using red, yellow, and blue (blue could appear in small details, like a bracelet or sunglasses, to balance the warmth). Alternatively, a tertiary color combination could be orange, pink, and violet. This blend adds depth while keeping a vibrant, playful feel.

Or you can experiment with assembling these colors again. If you are an advanced artist, then you may break the rules. Breaking the Rule is another rule.

6. Select a Background

For setting up the vibrant flat lay for summer clothing, the background plays a key role here. White goes with all. To make the bright reds, yellows, oranges, and pinks pop, a soft, neutral color like light beige or pale cream would work perfectly. These tones won’t compete with the bold items but will allow them to stand out naturally.

Experiment with different backgrounds to add interest to your flat lay. Textured surfaces, colored paper, or fabric can all work well.

7. Position Your Camera & Tripod

Flat lay photography technique, as said before, is to take pictures from a top shot. So carefully use a tripod to ensure your camera is stable and positioned directly above the objects or items. This will help you achieve a consistent and professional look.

"Check after every click, again and again 
with a view to ensuring your frame and composition."

8. Compose Your Shot

Carefully arrange your clothing items and props on the flat surface following your To-do list, or Mood Board. Experiment a little with different compositions to find the most visually appealing layout. Incorporate props that complement your clothing items and enhance the story you’re trying to tell. This could include accessories, flowers, or other decorative elements.

"STICK TO THE BASIC PLAN, 
TOO MUCH IDEA CAN SPOIL THE REAL ONE"

9. Use Natural Light for Better Flat Lay Photography

Natural light works best for flat lays. Set up near a window to get soft, even lighting. Direct sunlight can create harsh shadows. Use softboxes, reflector to make it soft, diffused light for a more balanced look. If needed, sheer curtains can help filter the light. Pay attention to how the light hits your setup and adjust as necessary to keep everything well-lit and free of dark spots.

10. Use Artificial Light to have more control

If natural light isn’t available, or you cannot handle it, use LED or ring lighting to ensure your flat lay is well-lit and visually appealing. Artificial lights can give you more control over fixing the better lighting system.

11. Closeups for Details:

Close-up shots are always visually helpful for the seers. Take close-up shots of every single product you have to highlight the details of your clothing items. This can include textures, patterns, and unique features and so on.

“DON’T FORGET TO TAKE CLOSE UP”

12. Utilize Negative Space:

Give your eyes some breathing room. Crowded compositions overwhelm the viewer. That’s why it’s crucial to avoid stuffing everything in. Leave some empty space around your clothing items. It creates balance and helps each piece stand out. Less clutter, more focus.

13. Don’t Forget to Edit

Post-processing is essential for enhancing the quality of your flat lay. Use editing software to adjust brightness, contrast, and color balance. It is a best-practice to sit down as soon as you complete taking images of products. It will give you an instant chance to take the pics again if you have missed something important that you planned.

Clothing photography simplified:

The most fun part of flat lay photography is that it is such an easy, quick, budget friendly process to approach. It offers an accessible and creative way to showcase clothing fashion brands, for personal or e-commerce online stores. This technique allows you to craft visually appealing images without the need for expensive equipment or professional studios. All you need to do is focus on thoughtful planning, get your lighting right, and the strategic use of props, you can create compelling narratives that enhance the appeal of your products. With a bit of practice and creativity, mastering flat lay photography can significantly enhance your product presentation, helping you engage your audience and drive sales effectively. If you have a clothing business performing online and need a helping hand with image editing service, don’t hesitate to get a free trail. Best of luck.