Recently I have started to share a lot more posts on how I take my photographs, I personally find them so interesting to read and it’s always great to get an insight in how someone else does something. It always gets me motivated or inspired so I thought I would share my process on how I take my flat lay images. I love this style of photo, it’s fun to style but can be quite stressful to get right!
I tried to take this Instagram shot about three times, I just couldn’t get the angle right, the props didn’t look right and in the end I just gave up, it took three attempts before I got a shot I was happy with. I put into practice my own tips that I shall share and hopefully this won’t happen again, I finally got the shot, thankfully!
PIN IT!Flat lay images are taken directly above the items, I have a board on Pinterest – Photo Styling – that has so many pins that are flat lay images but also just beautifully styled shots that are great for getting some inspiration. Pinterest is probably the best place to get motivated and inspired, it’s full of so many pretty pictures and brilliant tips posts for bloggers.
Lighting
Obviously lighting is always key to any image, I’m lucky that I have big windows on two sides of my bedroom so I have a lot of natural lighting, I just have to be careful to not get any shadows. This can be sorted out with just bouncing the light. I do this by holding a big piece of white card behind the products that have shadows, I don’t know if this is correct however it works for me and my shadows disappear. You can purchase actual reflectors from Jessops. You can of course edit your images if you aren’t blessed with good natural lighting.
PIN IT!Style Through The Lens
If you are struggling with product placement the easiest way to nail it is styling through the lens. I clear my background, hold the camera in position and then looking through the lens/screen I place the items down into position. This way I can see how the image will look instantly as apposed to placing everything down in a way I think looks nice and then it actually doesn’t work once the image has been taken. It saves a lot of time and effort and works every time for me, it’s how I finally got my shot for the Instagram image I was struggling with.
PIN IT!PIN IT!PIN IT!PIN IT!Best Area of Shot
Sometimes I place objects everywhere, in every nook and cranny and then I take shots of different areas. This way I can see what works and what doesn’t without having to style multiple photos. When I find an area that does work the best, I just focus on that and get snapping.
Bulk Images
If I’m on a roll with the styling and I’m loving the set up and how everything looks, sometimes I just change a couple of the props between images to get a bulk set of shots. Then I can just upload to Instagram whenever I like as the images are all ready to go. If you’re curious on how I edit my Instagram photos, you can check out my post here.
I hope you have found this post somewhat helpful, styling through the lens is probably the key for me as it helps me so much when I’m struggling with placement. Do let me know if you have any tips below, I’d love to learn more.
How do you take your flat lays?
Taylor Cloonan
This posts are so informing! They have taught me how to take some of my new blog pics! I love your blog:)
Xx
Claudia
Taylor CloonanSo glad you liked it and found it helpful Taylor. Thank you so much 🙂 xx
Sheila Joy
These are great tips! I love your flat lays–they are so aesthetically pleasing x
http://www.insearchofsheila.com
Claudia
Sheila JoyAw thank you so much 🙂 xx
Sammy
Your photography is amazing. Thank you for this, flat-lays are something I’m still struggling with, so this was really helpful.
Sammy xx
Claudia
SammyThank you so much Sammy. Glad you found it helpful xx
Fii
This is a wonderfully useful post! I’ll def be using some of these tips to improve my flatlay photography 🙂
Claudia
FiiSo glad you found it helpful 🙂 xx
Grace
Thanks you for sharing! Amazing helpful post!!
Grace x
http://graciebellblogs.blogspot.co.uk/
Claudia
GraceYou are very welcome! Thank you, glad you liked it xx
Catherine
These are some great tips! I definitely need to buy some reflectors or just a big sheet of white card, my shadows are always awful!
Catherine | http://www.heymamablog.com
Claudia
CatherineThank you Catherine, so glad you liked it. It really helps with my shadows and a lot cheaper than the reflectors! xx
Peppermint Dolly
Fantastic post, some great tips her – thanks for sharing!!
Rxx
http://www.peppermintdolly.com
Claudia
Peppermint DollyGlad you enjoyed it, thank you 🙂 xx
Nicole
You have amazing skills! Thank you for sharing these tips 🙂
Nicole | The Glam Surge
Claudia
NicoleThank you so much, such a sweet comment 🙂 xx
Angela
Lovely tips!
Angela | GoGypset.com
Claudia
AngelaThank you! xx
Manavi
Lighting does make all the difference. Lucky you have ample light coming through those windows. Definitely going to try the ‘styling through the lens’ tip. Thanks! 🙂
Claudia
ManaviReally does and yes I am very lucky. No idea what I will get once I move though 🙁 xx
Hannah Adams
This is such a great post, I never would have thought of styling through the lens, but that makes so much sense!
Hannah x
Claudia
Hannah AdamsStyling through the lens is so helpful, I do it all the time and it never fails me. Hope you like it 🙂 xx
Phoebida
Great tips! I love the one about styling through the lens, that sounds like an absolute lifesaver. I always have days when nothing photography wise goes to plan so that will be so helpful! xx
Phoebe & Abida | phoebida.blogspot.co.uk
Claudia
PhoebidaIt really is 🙂 so glad you enjoyed the post xx
Amanda @ Anchored to Sunshine
This was such a helpful post! Love your flat lays!
Claudia
Amanda @ Anchored to SunshineThank you so much, such a sweet comment and I’m glad you enjoyed the post 🙂 xx
Charlotte
You absolute beauty! I’ve been waiting for this post for such a long time and I now realise that I probably need to get myself an Olympus Pen asap! Thank you so much for putting this post together as it was SO helpful! xx
Lauren
Some lovely tips!! I always take forever with my flat lays changing the around! Where did you get the marble effect backdrop from?
Lauren
https://littleboxoftreasures903.wordpress.com
Xx
Claudia
LaurenI got it from B&Q for £6 I think it was ? xx