What Is Flat Lay Photography?
Flat lay photography means laying clothing or products flat on a surface and photographed from directly above. Fashion brands use it for product photos because it's quicker and more affordable than shooting on a model, and it shows color, print, and details clearly.
How to Set Up Flat Lay Clothing Photography
- Choose a background. A plain white or light surface works best, like a table, the floor, or a large sheet of foam board.
- Prepare the garment. Steam out wrinkles, close buttons and zippers, and shape the sleeves and hem neatly.
- Light it evenly. Use soft light from a large window or softboxes, so there are no harsh shadows.
- Shoot from directly above. Keep the camera parallel to the garment, on a tripod or an overhead arm, so its shape isn't distorted.
Why It Matters for Fashion E-commerce
Flat lays show color, print, and details well, so they're common on product detail pages and marketplaces. But they don't show fit, length, or how a garment is worn, so many stores pair them with photos of the garment on a model.
Flat Lay vs. Ghost Mannequin vs. On-Model
- Flat lay: lying flat, shot from above. Quick and affordable, and good for details, but it doesn't show fit.
- Ghost mannequin: shot on a mannequin that's removed in editing. Shows the garment's 3D shape, but takes more work to produce.
- On-model: worn by a model. Shows fit and how the garment is worn, but needs a model, so it's usually the most work to produce.
With Generama
Turn Your Flat Lays Into On-Model Photos
Upload a flat lay, choose the model, pose, and background, and Generama puts the garment on an AI model.
Related terms
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a flat lay and a packshot?
A flat lay is one way to shoot a product: lying flat, from above. A packshot is any clean product photo on a plain background, so a flat lay can be a packshot too.
What is knolling?
A flat lay style where items are arranged in neat rows at right angles to each other. It's popular for accessories and product sets.