Some days are for falling in love with people, some days for cities, and some for your time in solitude.

-Akif Kichloo

I know it has been a little quiet here at HoK. The long hiatus had little to do with solitary and more to do with reanimation.

Mine has been a journey of self-discovery, and I couldn’t be happier to announce that I’m here to stay and slay in my lane.

My newest and most favorite hobby (obsession) is Flatlay Photography. Flatlay photography can involve anything you like; be it clothes, food, products, etc. As the name suggests, the subject has to be on a flat surface, and the photo taken from above or a slight angle. There are various advantages of flatlay photography, especially for businesses that deal with products.

While I am no expert at this, through my little experience I have learnt a thing or two about flatlay photography and that is why I am excited to share with you a few tips and pointers to help you up your flatlay game;

Create a theme

Having a theme for your flatlays is the first step when it comes to flatlay photography. This, most often than not, will depend on what you are involved in or what you are trying to sell. For instance if it’s beauty related, most of your products will be cosmetics, or clothes for a fashion related theme.

Find a background

A plain white background is the ideal go-to for many people, because it draws a clear distinction between your props and the background. Backdrop paper or vinyl backdrops suit the purpose perfectly. However, to achieve this on a budget (almost free), you can easily improvise by the use of manila paper which is quite cheap, or just using a white sheet. I personally use a vinyl backdrop for most of my flatlays, but sometimes I like to create a more natural background, and in this case the use of a white sheet shows a bed environment. A fluffy mat is also a great background for flatlays.

Use natural lighting

Flatlay photography is quite easy and does not need any complications. Shoot your pictures under natural lighting. This could be outside or next to a window. Do this preferably in the morning, late afternoon or when there is not too much sunlight out. Avoid using flash when shooting, to prevent shadows in your flatlays.

Arrange your props

There are different types of flatlays; whether you are going for a minimalist flatlay or a fully packed one, it is best to leave space between props, so that each prop gets the attention it deserves. Use a square layout if you intend to post the picture on Instagram. For your flatlays to really pop, try color coordinating by going matchy matchy or mix and matching colors that go well together. To keep your flatlay organized, mix small objects with larger ones to create a balance.

Add props

Props here may vary; the most common are plants. These add depth to your flatlays and give them a natural feel. Others may include notebooks or small electronic devices like a camera, phone, or a laptop. For fashion flatlays, accessories act as props perfectly.

Move things around

Before you settle on a final flatlay arrangement, do not be shy to move things around. No matter how good a shot you have captured, if it isn’t fulfilling do not stop there. You will find yourself having a whole different arrangement when you are done from the one you started with. You will find it easier to see the perks when you view your flatlay from a camera, or as a photo.

Break the rules

The right angle for flatlay photography is obviously bird’s eye view. But, as you can see from some of my pictures, which I’m calling flatlays by force, reason being; one- they are placed on a flat surface, end of discussion. How you position your camera will determine how your flatlay turns out. I like to focus on specifics sometimes, while blurring the rest of my props. This is one way to do visual storytelling.

Edit your flatlays

This is the last step before finally posting and basking in the glory of your flatlay. Always edit your photo. If you’re using a good enough camera (I mean phone too), the photo may look perfect, but regardless, you are going to have to highlight this and sharpen that. There are a lot of good photo editors out there. I use Instagram sometimes, but mostly I prefer Adobe Lightroom. I am still learning how to edit using Lightroom more every day, but so far, it is my favorite.

Try these tips to get the most out of your flatlay photography, and feel free to let me know how that turns out, in the comment section below.

The post Up Your Flat Lay Game; Tips for Flatlay Photography appeared first on House of Kesar.