How to Photograph Clothing Laying Flat

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If you spend much time reading fashion magazines or browsing Instagram, you've likely seen outfit inspiration photos where the garments are laid out on a flat surface. This styling trick, known as flat lay photography, is a great way to showcase your favorite clothing and accessories. Even better, it's easy to recreate these shots for your own blog, shop, or social media account!

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Setting Up the Lay Flat Shot

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  1. When you're setting up a flat lay, you'll need to find an area that's big enough to spread out your garments, like a table top or a floor. However, since the background of the flat lay is a big part of the picture, you may want to create your own backdrop by laying down a sheet of paper, fabric, poster board, or another similar item. Just make sure that any backdrop you use will extend all the way to the edge of the photo, or else it could mess up the flat lay effect. [1]
    • Try to match the backdrop to your style. For instance, if you're shooting a casual, feminine outfit, you might use a washed-out barn door as your backdrop.
    • Linens and rugs can also make great backgrounds for a flat lay.
    • If you'll be doing a lot of flat lay photography, it's a good idea to use the same or similar backdrops in most of your pictures. That way, they'll be more easily recognizable when your followers come across them.
  2. Lighting is always important in photography, but shadows in a flat lay shoot can throw off the whole effect. To avoid that, try shooting near a large, open window, or set up your work station in a shady spot outdoors. [2]
    • Avoid setting up directly in the sunlight, since that will create harsh shadows.
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  3. If you don't have good natural lighting in your work area, the best option is to set up a controlled light source. If you only have 1 light, place it to the side of your flay lay setup, tilted at a 45° angle. If you're using 2 lights, place them on either side or at opposing corners, facing each other and tilted at the same 45° angle.
    • If you want to deliberately add shadows to the shot, move the light a little further from your product. If you're using 2 lights, only move 1 of the lights.
    • Try experimenting with different lighting options , including flash diffusers to soften your flash, reflectors to help redirect light and reduce shadows, and softboxes to create a new light source. [3]
    • Photography equipment can be expensive, but not all lighting solutions require a large investment. For instance, you can help diffuse shadows in your photo by holding up a large piece of white posterboard to reflect light down into the shot. [4]
  4. When you're shooting product photos, use an ISO of 200 or lower to get the clearest picture. Also, you'll get a sharper photo if you use a fast shutter speed and a higher F-stop, which will give you a smaller aperture opening. Set the white balance based on your light source. [5]
    • Go through the settings in your camera and adjust the white balance to match the type of lighting you're using, such as fluorescent, incandescent, tungsten, or natural.
    • Use a standard camera lens for most flat-lay photography. Don't use a wide-angle lens, as it can distort the image.
  5. When you're shooting a flat lay, it's important to take the picture straight on, rather than at an angle, in order to achieve the right effect. However, you may need to stand on a step ladder or a stool so you can get high enough above the frame to shoot head-on. [6] [7]
    • If you do have to climb, be careful, especially if you're carrying heavy camera equipment! It may be a good idea to have someone else nearby to hand you your camera once you get in place.

    Tip: If you're shooting in natural light, be sure to stand on the opposite side from your light source. Otherwise, you'll cast a shadow in your picture!

  6. Once you get your flay lay set up, take a couple of shots, then look at them carefully. If there are any shadows that interfere with your shot, or if you aren't happy with the product placement, make any necessary changes, then shoot again until you get the perfect picture. [8]
    • Once you're finished, upload your photo to your blog or social media accounts to show it off!
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Arranging the Clothing

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  1. Spread your garment flat on your work surface, taking a few minutes to arrange it neatly. For instance, if you're displaying a shirt, you might fasten any buttons, smooth out the collar, and arrange the arms. [9] [10]
    • In general, it's best if the garment is symmetrical in the photo. However, when you're arranging long sleeves, you might place them at slightly different angles so they look more natural.
    • It's a good idea to iron the garments before you shoot them, since wrinkles will look unattractive in the picture.
  2. It can be difficult to fit an entire pair of adult-size pants in a frame, so try folding them in half with the legs together first, then fold them again at the knees. You can then either lay the pants flat or display them in a V-shape to show the entire length of the legs. Also, try to arrange the folded pants to show off any cool details, like pocket stitching or distressing. [11]
    • Try cuffing jeans to give them a little more personality!
    • If you're shooting baby clothes, you may prefer to leave the pants unfolded.
  3. If you're laying out a top or a dress, roll the side hems slightly underneath the garment rather than pressing them out flat. This will give the piece a little more movement, and it will look more like it does when it's hanging naturally on a person's body. [12]
    • Since the back of a garment is often a little longer than the front, you may need to tuck the back bottom hem under the piece, as well.
    • If you're styling a woman's garment, tuck in the sides a little more just beneath the arms to give the clothing a gentle curve. For men's and children's clothing, keep the line straight.
  4. If you find that your garment looks lifeless, try adding a little lift by sliding a few stacked sheets of tissue paper into the inside of the piece. You can even roll up stacks of tissue paper to put inside the arms and legs of the clothing for more movement. [13]
    • For instance, you might put tissue paper inside the body of a T-shirt or in the torso of a dress.
  5. Shooting a single piece can be a good way to showcase it, but flat lay photography is commonly used as a way to group different items together in fun outfits. For each shot, challenge yourself to mix and match different pieces to show off your own unique style. [14]
    • In general, it's best to try to arrange outfits similar to the way you'd actually wear them. For instance, you might place a dress in the center of the frame, shoes near the bottom, and a hat and sunglasses near the top or off to the side.
    • Similarly, you might put a blouse closer to the top of a shot, with pants either below the top or down and to the side.
  6. As you're styling your outfit, think about what you might actually wear with those garments. Something as simple as a chic pair of shoes or a cool hat can help take your flat lay photography to the next level. [15]
    • For instance, if you're shooting a swimsuit, you might include accessories like a floppy hat, beach tote, coverup, sandals, and sunglasses.
    • Think about how you'd display these items if you were planning an outfit you wanted to wear. For example, you might drape a necklace across a T-shirt, or you might put a belt around the waist of a dress.
    • Shoes can go near the bottom of the shot or off to the side, depending on what looks best.
  7. To make your flat lay more dynamic, try to include special touches that will help tell a story. Think about where someone might go if they were wearing that outfit, and add details that help sell that idea. [16] [17]
    • In your swimsuit picture, for example, you might also include 1 or 2 items you might bring to the pool, like a book, sunscreen, or cool water bottle.
    • Even a simple tee-and-jeans combo can be dressed up as a perfect vacation outfit by adding interesting details like a pretty tube of lipstick, a flower, a hotel room key, or a plate with a delicious-looking pastry.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Why does my overhead shot always look so bad?
    Annie Tao
    Professional Photographer
    Annie Tao is an award-winning Professional Lifestyle and Commercial Photographer and the Owner of Annie Tao Photography based in the San Francisco Bay Area. While some of her commercial clients include Starbucks, PayPal, Rice University, and United Airlines, Annie is also passionate about capturing genuine emotions and real moments in people’s lives. She has been recognized as Kodak’s Featured Photographer and has had work featured in The Wall Street Journal, Brides Magazine, and Glamour & Grace.
    Annie Tao
    Professional Photographer
    Expert Answer
    It can be tricky but you really need enough light to get your shot without the shadows looking a little odd. You also need to make sure the lens is actually parallel to the clothing you're photographing. If it isn't, your photo may come out looking right.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    What settings can I change to make creases and wrinkles look less noticeable?
    Annie Tao
    Professional Photographer
    Annie Tao is an award-winning Professional Lifestyle and Commercial Photographer and the Owner of Annie Tao Photography based in the San Francisco Bay Area. While some of her commercial clients include Starbucks, PayPal, Rice University, and United Airlines, Annie is also passionate about capturing genuine emotions and real moments in people’s lives. She has been recognized as Kodak’s Featured Photographer and has had work featured in The Wall Street Journal, Brides Magazine, and Glamour & Grace.
    Annie Tao
    Professional Photographer
    Expert Answer
    You want to make sure that you get rid of any creases or wrinkles ahead of time. If the clothing isn't actually photograph-ready, clean your clothes, iron as needed, and take your photos later.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 2
  • Question
    What can I do to make photos of my clothes stand out more on my eBay seller's page?
    Annie Tao
    Professional Photographer
    Annie Tao is an award-winning Professional Lifestyle and Commercial Photographer and the Owner of Annie Tao Photography based in the San Francisco Bay Area. While some of her commercial clients include Starbucks, PayPal, Rice University, and United Airlines, Annie is also passionate about capturing genuine emotions and real moments in people’s lives. She has been recognized as Kodak’s Featured Photographer and has had work featured in The Wall Street Journal, Brides Magazine, and Glamour & Grace.
    Annie Tao
    Professional Photographer
    Expert Answer
    Try folding and staging your clothes in unique ways. Get a little creative with the way you're presenting your clothes. Also, try taking more close-up photos of unique areas of each item, like cool buttons and interesting stitches.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Posterboard, fabric, or other backdrop
      • Clothing
      • Accessories
      • Camera

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.myclickmagazine.com/20-flat-lay-backgrounds-for-photographers/
      2. ↑ https://startafashiontruck.com/flat-lay-photography-tips/
      3. ↑ https://www.myclickmagazine.com/20-flat-lay-backgrounds-for-photographers/
      4. ↑ https://petapixel.com/2017/05/16/5-handy-lighting-techniques-using-foam-board/
      5. ↑ https://www.inc.com/laurel-mintz/lights-cameras-product-shots-how-to-level-up-your-diy-product-photography-gam.html
      6. ↑ https://startafashiontruck.com/flat-lay-photography-tips/
      7. ↑ Annie Tao. Professional Photographer. Expert Interview. 3 March 2021.
      8. ↑ Annie Tao. Professional Photographer. Expert Interview. 3 March 2021.
      9. ↑ https://startafashiontruck.com/flat-lay-photography-tips/
      1. ↑ Annie Tao. Professional Photographer. Expert Interview. 3 March 2021.
      2. ↑ https://www.whowhatwear.com/instagram-photos
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/cBeXnOYy3ok?t=47
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/cBeXnOYy3ok?t=108
      5. ↑ https://www.whowhatwear.com/instagram-photos
      6. ↑ https://www.whowhatwear.com/instagram-photos
      7. ↑ https://www.whowhatwear.com/instagram-photos
      8. ↑ Annie Tao. Professional Photographer. Expert Interview. 3 March 2021.

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