Flat lay clothing photography is getting more and more popular these days. This style is widely used by numerous well-known e-commerce websites. You may therefore be interested to learn how it may help your business. This article will help you in that regard!
We’ll go through the benefits of professional flat-lay clothing photography in this article, along with some flat lay clothing photography ideas and other details you might find helpful.
1. How Does Flat Lay Photography Differ From Traditional Photography?
2. How Does Flat Lay Photography Benefit Clothing Business?
3. Different Kinds of Flat Lay Photography
4. How To Do Perfect Flat Lay Clothing Photography
5. 7 Flat Lay Clothing Photography Tips
6. Should You Hire A Professional For Editing?
How Does Flat Lay Photography Differ From Traditional Photography?
Simply put, flat lay photography is a style of taking photos wherein the photographer positions the subject or subjects on a level surface and takes pictures from above. “Bird’s eye viewpoint” is another term for this photography style.
Unlike other types of photography, the lens and the surface are parallel from a constant distance away in flat lay photos. As a result, you won’t see any angles. Instead, the image shows a particular angle from a comparable height just above the flat surface.
The photographer must capture all photos from a top-down view in flat lay photography. Although flat lay involves positioning objects on a level platform, your photograph may not appear plain. Well, some images might seem dull. But others have much more depth.
How Does Flat Lay Photography Benefit Clothing Business?
Flat lay photography benefits a clothing business as it is visually appealing, straightforward, and cost-effective. The fantastic shots help attract tons of customers and thus, aid in boosting sales.
Flat lay photography has many benefits, making it a perfect choice for clothing businesses. So, let’s discuss some of the best benefits of flat lay photography that can help the clothing business:
Visually Appealing
Clothes are the main subject of flat lay fashion photography. The pictures’ straightforward aesthetic makes them enticing and appealing, drawing clients’ attention. Furthermore, this photography style helps make the clothes’ features noticeable and genuine. And it is necessary because it could assist people in trusting the company.
Well, human minds enjoy order, and we love the appearance of a clean environment. Similarly, we also appreciate the formation of a clean image. So, flat lay photography is so successful in the fashion sector.
Simple and organized objects appeal to our brains’ sense of beauty and pleasure. Therefore, business owners can visually appeal to potential clients by arranging the clothing in a straightforward flat lay design.
In clothes flat lay photography, it is simple to arrange clothes neatly. There is no possibility of having more items because flat lay images demand a plain background or level surface. Therefore, the photos won’t have any unnecessary distractions and will satisfy viewers’ visual needs.
Simple & Tell Stories!
You don’t have to be a well-known or famous photographer to shoot a flat lay picture. A pleasing backdrop, excellent lighting, and easy placement of your goods are all you need to achieve this result. One can quickly learn this photography style by watching flat clothing photography tutorial videos.
Besides, without a doubt, flat lay images may help you create a tale about clothing goods. For example, you can take a flat lay photo of a dress, surrounding it with a few sunglasses, pearls, and sandals. It will help make a customer think, “That outfit would be wonderful for my next beach trip!”
So, the buyers might envision scenarios where the items that business owners sell would create the “perfect ensemble” by being used to tell tales. As a result, it’ll help them to make more sales!
Compatible With Social Media
Businesses can also use social media platforms to display beautiful photos. There are many opportunities in flat lay photographs to be original, innovative, and beautiful. Customers can learn more about the offerings, which may entice them to explore the website and look at additional things.
Moreover, we are all aware of the significance of Instagram and Facebook for fashion companies. And, you will see a good number of flat-lay images on the Instagram pages of famous fashion firms.
Provides Details
Serious fashionistas are interested in more than just a cloth’s color or size. They desire the complete picture. They are interested in whatever may help them visualize how the dress will seem on them while they are wearing it, including zippers, pockets, patterns, logos, and colors.
It is yet another benefit of flat lay photography. It can be simple to overlook significant elements if a clothing item is viewed from a side. But considering it from the above angle can help buyers fully appreciate how the costume seems.
Multipurpose Use
The application of flat lay clothing photography concepts is flexible due to their exclusivity and simplicity. Individuals can also use these images on websites, blogs, and social media platforms. They are easy to adjust.
So, clothing business owners can also use them as covers for their social network company profiles.
Cost-Effective
There is not much preparation necessary for a flat lay clothing photography setup. All that is required is a level surface, some clothing, a reliable source of light, and a high-quality camera.
Most significantly, you can also use a smartphone to take photos.
Different Kinds of Flat Lay Photography
There are numerous flat lay photography types available. And each of them is unique. Among the most straightforward and well-liked types is the conventional grid. To make everything appear well-organized and laid out, things must be arranged in a tidy grid, with the objects’ borders parallel.
Well, many same guidelines apply to a grid with a different angle. But the camera’s viewpoint has slightly twisted to the right or left. Moreover, some objects might be somewhat off-grid by being rotated to meet the camera’s perspective to add a little contrast.
Another type is the controlled chaos flat lay photography. The shot has a casual, off-beat feel and somewhat more dispersed approach in this kind. Besides, items are often similarly spaced out. So, it doesn’t appear that someone arranged them randomly. However, the asymmetrical angle gives the room a more enjoyable, vibrant appearance.
Furthermore, negative space flat lays help showcase one or a few things. The photographer positions the item or subject to the corner or edge of the frame. It gives the image a minimalist feel by providing more space for the backdrop.
One can also utilize the negative space type to make spaces for texts that might assist promote the e-commerce business. For example, a product’s title, taglines, description, selling points, or other details.
How To Do Perfect Flat Lay Clothing Photography
The allure of flat lay photos is that it enables you to use a wide variety of items in a cohesive way. For creating a unified setting for your image, attempt to select things of various sizes, shapes, and 2-3 coordinating colors. You have to follow specific steps to take the perfect shot. So, here is a step-by-step guide to doing excellent flat lay photography for your convenience:
Step 1: Look for a Flat Surface
A couch cushion, coffee table, bed, desk, or even the floor are suitable surfaces for flat lays. For a proper flat lay shot, you have to photograph on a relatively flat platform.
Step 2: Ensure Proper Lighting
The first thing you need for good flat-lay clothing photography is proper lighting. It is always best to take shots in natural lighting. So, consider taking photos near large, open windows or, if possible, go outside. However, your body and other objects might throw shadows on the clothes. So, you must pay attention to the angles while taking the photos.
But if you’re experiencing difficulties preventing shadows, consider using white walls or surfaces to mirror natural light while keeping the items out of sunlight.
Step 3: Select The Proper Background
You must pick and arrange the background based on the cloth’s theme. It not only draws viewers in but also improves the image. Moreover, it may significantly affect the final photograph, much like the clothes in the picture. So, you must consider the perfect composition that produces the atmosphere you’re going for and locate a flat location that fits best.
Kitchen countertops, desks, wooden tables, etc., can provide texture to any flat lay images. It gives them an earthy and rustic touch that can beautifully complement the products you’re highlighting.
Wrinkled bed covers or dish towels also make excellent backgrounds because they provide a neutral backdrop that complements your merchandise. However, you must ensure that it suits your clothes to have the best photograph.
Furthermore, use backgrounds or backdrops that are the opposite hue from your clothes to make them stand out and appear more enticing. For instance, you could use black wallpaper to complement light-colored apparel.
Step 4: Adjust The Height & Angle
The secret to taking a fantastic flat lay photograph is to shoot it at an angle parallel to the flat surface. It would help if you ascended straight above the subject to accomplish this.
To place your camera at the right height and angle, you might need to get a step stool or shoot the clothes keeping them on the ground. However, you can also use a drone if you want.
Step 5: Take The Shot!
Once you have reached the perfect distance and angle, you will have to take the shot. However, remember to capture a few photos to choose the best one from them.
Moreover, it would be best if you captured close-up shots of the clothes in addition to full-body photographs. These will help the customers to understand them better.
Besides, don’t forget it is crucial to compose the image following the clothing item. It is because it determines whether the picture and the product are appealing. So, you’ll have to exercise caution when deciding how to arrange your accessories and clothes to work well together.
Step 6: Post Processing
For giving your photo the finishing touch, post-processing is crucial. The most frequent changes include color retouching and removing imperfections like a light flare or minor blemishes.
Furthermore, getting picture editing services for your eCommerce business is always worthwhile. Professionals always advise this because photo editing is one of the crucial components of any photography.
7 Flat Lay Clothing Photography Tips
Flat lay photography is no doubt a fantastic photography style for a clothing business. However, following some tips and tricks can make your photographs even more impressive. So, here’re a few tips for your flat lay clothing photography:
- Iron Clothing
Many people frequently neglect to iron their items before flat clothing photography. But you must turn on your steamer or iron and get those wrinkles out before you start your shoot.
Your clothes might still look wrinkled even when you’ve ironed them as you arrange them. So, after you set up the arrangement, it’s essential to iron them again. Fortunately, it won’t be too difficult because you will be photographing the clothing on a level surface.
- Complete The Look
Completing the entire outfit while taking shots is one of the most useful flat lay clothes photography ideas. To show the customer how the item can appear excellent when they wear it, put together the whole outfit and shoot the shot. It will tempt the customers to buy the dresses for coming occasions.
- Make Sure The White Balance Is Correct
The colors of the apparel must be accurately captured while taking flat-lay photos of fashion products. This way, you can avoid the customers complaining that the product’s actual color differs from the image.
- Follow A Color Theme
To maintain a steady theme, organize the backgrounds and props to complement the clothing item’s hue. It provides the image with a pleasing aesthetic feel.
- Don’t Limit The Frame
Keep your cloth as accessible as possible while taking the photos because it will offer you extra room to work with afterward, particularly in post-processing. The more you can do with editing, the more it will help the clothing business stand out from the competition.
- Make Sure The Details Are Visible
Many people believe that cloth styling is simple. But in reality, learning it is among the most challenging aspects of product photography. It can be tough to recognize if you fold specific kinds of clothes incorrectly.
The trick is to organize clothes to highlight their most important features. Ensure to highlight the print on a T-shirt in the product image.
Additionally, if you must fold goods for your flat lay picture shoot, be sure to do so so that viewers can still recognize the items’ identities.
Therefore, avoid folding long-sleeved shirts in the same manner as conventional t-shirts. Demonstrate the item’s oversized sleeves to onlookers. It’s crucial to arrange clothing in a specific way so people can quickly recognize it.
- Ensure Angle Variation
Well, the high, centered viewpoint might not need much changing. So, you can occasionally add some diversity by rotating the lens to the left or right.
However, it can be hard to convey the three-dimensionality of clothing when taking a flat lay photo. The clothes usually appear as paper cutouts because they rest flat on the ground.
So, ensure lower angle lighting so that your outfits stand out from the backdrop. Doing this can give the items’ inherent wrinkles some shadowing. Moreover, these shadows give your photograph depth and highlight the fabrics of the clothing.
Should You Hire A Professional For Editing?
You would require careful and proper editing to maximize the potential of your flat lay photography. And only a professional can handle the job of editing well. Moreover, it might ruin the whole picture if an expert doesn’t do the editing work. So, hiring a professional to edit your flat lay clothing photography is necessary.
Photography editing is a distinct art form. An editor requires high meticulousness and focus. Furthermore, photo editing may take a lot of time. So, it is preferable to use professional editing services if you have many photos to edit to get the perfect results.
Moreover, professional post-production service companies enhance images using the most recent technologies, tools, and photo editing software to produce superior outcomes.
Additionally, they will be highly skilled, knowledgeable, and knowledgeable in this area, which gives high-quality photos. Thus, you can obtain pictures that meet industry requirements by engaging with photo-editing companies.
Besides, most reputable photo editing services provide reasonable protection for your photographs. They may maintain the integrity of your photos, ensuring that other businesses do not reproduce them. The majority of companies adhere to non-disclosure agreements, so they won’t in any manner divulge your photographs.
Again, each purpose may have different picture needs. An e-commerce site could demand distinct image attributes than another, for instance. Therefore, you must satisfy the particular requirements for every e-commerce site.
You can easily modify the photographs to meet your specific needs by using post-production services. So, it is preferable to use picture editors if you require high-quality photos that require customization.
Furthermore, the cost of good picture editing software can be very significant. By employing a photo editing company, you can reduce costs. So, hiring professional post-production services may be ideal if you want consistent, high-quality photographs at a reasonable price.
Conclusion
Flat lay clothing photography is very beneficial for clothing businesses. These photographs help the customers better understand the details of the clothes. And by editing the photos, you can create 2x more eye-catching images that will grab the attention of many potential buyers.
Feel free to get in touch with Dropyourimage if you’re contemplating using a professional photo editing service. We provide a wide range of post-processing services, including editing and color optimization. If you’re having trouble deciding, you can ask for a free demo! Thanks for reading through.
