The Essential Equipment for Flat Lay Photography

Discover how to set up photo shoots to create impactful visual content for social media

Social media just keeps on growing and creating new photo and content trends. Flat lay photography is now the style of the moment. It’s ideal for presenting products, lifestyle brands, projects in development, travel plans, etc.

A lifestyle photographer and video content creator, Darren Rowlands (@darrenrowlands) uses flat lay photography to share his creative adventures and professional development on Instagram.

He's an expert in photography art direction and creative style who also helps brands tell social media stories using innovative, appealing, and authentic content, combining lifestyle, fashion, travel, and technology.

Below, he shares his list of materials and valuable tips for flat lay photography, but first, let’s take a look at what flat lay means and how to compose a flat lay image.

What is flat lay photography?

Flat lay photography involves setting up objects on a flat surface, in a clean but visually striking way, and then taking an overhead photo of the composition.

You can really let your creativity run wild when composing a flat lay shot, creating playful and eye-catching atmospheres, as well as conveying specific values and emotions.

The secrets of composition

1. Find references and inspiration online before you start.

2. Create a grid of your flat space on a piece of paper or in your head.

3. Place the objects on your grid and create different focal points.

4. Consider your own photographic style as well as the essential features of the product.

5. Always keep your key message in mind when designing ways to position the objects in your composition.

Steps for taking a flat lay photograph

1. Buy a plain-colored card for your backdrop. It is usually available in 100 x 70 cm, but if yours is a bit smaller, you can always stick two pieces together.

2. Find the objects you’re going to photograph and props to make them pop, such as plants, stationery, etc.

3. Place the card on the floor. Make sure your background color contrasts with your selected elements.

4. Decide on your frame. You can always choose landscape and then crop it to make a square.

5. Check the frame on your phone and position your objects.

6. Remember to raise any flat items to avoid unwanted shadows.

How to take your flat lay photo

1. Pay attention to your light sources, for example adjusting or adding if necessary to avoid large shadows, etc.

2. Use your phone’s focus features to ensure you get the right exposure.

3. Lean over the layout to get the flattest image you can (from above) and to avoid altering the perspective.

4. Shoot!

The materials you need for flat lay photography

Ready to start experimenting with your own flat lay shoots? Read on as photographer Darren Rowlands shares his list of all the materials you need to start experimenting with flat lay lifestyle photography.

Your smartphone camera

Use equipment you already have—your smartphone camera is good enough for creating most images.

If you do want to buy a new device, Darren recommends the iPhone 12 Pro.

Portable photo studio backdrop stand

Easy to fold up in a carry bag, this is the main piece of equipment you'll need to take flat lay images. It’s typically used to hold a paper background in place for shoots, but Darren uses it (with an adaptor) to hold his phone in the correct position creating an especially clean finish.

Swivel head clamp

This clamp is attached to the main bar of your stand and holds your smartphone adapter.

1/4 to 3/8 camera screw adapter

This piece is used to attach your smartphone stand to the clamp.

Universal smartphone clamp

This is used to hold and stabilize the phone—find one with an adjustable clamp for greater control.

White A1 foam board or card

The base on which you will lay out the products you want to photograph.

Optional extras

- Five-in-one reflector (80 x 120 mm)
- Remote camera trigger
- An Adobe Lightroom license
- Backdrop of your choice

Love this guide? Don’t miss Darren Rowland’s course, Flat Lay Lifestyle Photography: From Your Phone to Instagram, where you’ll learn to capture and edit lifestyle photos using social media’s darling format.

English version by @studiogaunt.

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