How To Style a Flat Lay the Easy Way
So you’ve been trying to step up your Instagram game and start creating flat lays. Maybe you’re looking to promote your business through beautiful imagery, or you’re just having fun making pretty things. Either way, I’ve got a few tips for you!
What’s a flat lay?
First of all, what IS a flat lay? It's pretty self-explanatory: a flat lay is basically a photo of several objects laid out in an aesthetically pleasing fashion, usually themed or organized by type. Flat lays can include elements of nature, products people sell, an outfit someone is going to wear, ingredients to a recipe, what to take on a trip, or what someone might need to make a particular craft. They can range from very simple to very complicated. They can even just be fun little layouts of favorite things!
So how do you begin to style your own flat lay?
Theme
First, choose what you want your flat lay’s theme to be. Collect the items you'll need for that theme! A good one to start with could be the 'favorite things' flat lay. So grab a book, a movie, a piece of jewelry, a favorite accessory, a phone or phone case, even a piece of food (a few cookies, a slice of citrus, etc.)!
Layout
Now you'll lay it all out. A good rule of thumb is to just start with a bigger object in the middle and work out from it in angles. Imagine a grid and line up the edges of the objects until they feel right. Try different angles, and grouping similar objects together. You can even color-theme your flat lay! Lay your objects out on a plain background, any color, and photograph directly overhead using natural light for the best results. I’ve used wood, foam core, marble, and even my kitchen floor with good results. Cloth works beautifully too, and scrapbook paper. The sheer possibilities!
And voila! You just created your first flat lay! Keep scrolling for more inspiration:
Image from Olivia Bossert
Image from Melody Fulone Design
What else can you do with a flat lay?
Flat lays aren’t just limited to the image itself. Try creating one and leaving enough ‘white space’ to add in some text using Canva or your favorite photo editing software. You can even get creative and deconstruct the items in a specific way that highlights the product. Or, try drawing on the background to create an illustration around the item!
Image from Mason Cash
Image from Pinterest
Ready to take your small business content to the next level? My editable Instagram Canva templates make creating stunning content simple and easy. These templates are specifically designed to capture the attention of your audience and make it easy for you to create beautiful and engaging content quickly.
Each of the templates features subtle, yet eye-catching graphics that instantly draw the eye to your content. The minimal design ensures that your message is the focus of your post. The templates are also fully customizable, so you can tailor them to your exact needs. Whether you need to add text, change colors, or adjust the size of the graphics, you can do it with ease.
Not only are the templates easy to use, but they also will make your images more memorable. Using consistent graphics is proven to increase engagement and boost sales. In fact, research shows that visuals are processed 60,000 times faster than standard text and posts featuring visuals have 94% more views than those without!
So take your small business to the next level and make a lasting impression with my minimal floral Instagram Canva templates.
Includes:
Multiple fonts and editable sections within templates
Editable colors and details within templates
1 PDF document with links to Canva templates
Read Me File with help & tutorial
Details:
You will need a FREE Canva account in order to edit these templates.
You will need to use the DESKTOP version of Canva to edit – the templates will not work correctly within the Canva app.
Your files will be available as an INSTANT DOWNLOAD after your purchase, so you will not receive anything physically. After payment, please check your email for the zip file. Or, click the zip file directly in the order confirmation window and follow the instructions.
Because this is a digital item, no refunds are given. See full shipping & returns policy here.
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Questions about your printable template? Email me directly at melodyfulone@gmail.com.
When you’re ready to post that flat lay, you might need some templates to get you started. Snag a pack of pretty ones for just $7 over in my template shop!
I can’t wait to see how you use this fun technique! It’s a wonderful way to utilize your creative or business’ branding style, and create images unique to you. The possibilities are truly endless when it comes to creating flat lays – whether it’s a recipe laid out, a tutorial with little drawn directions between the items, or simply an aesthetic gathering of beautiful trinkets.