As a business owner selling clothes online, or as a photographer who deals with clothing photography, it’s crucial to know how to make and style a perfect flat-lay photography setup. You need to bring in creativity and technical skills to pull the best shots of your merchandise using the photography flat-lay approach.
With the best flat-lay clothing photography setup, you can make your clothing pieces more appealing, improve your branding, and even attract potential customers. Below are some tips to help you succeed in flat-lay clothing photography setup.
Table of Contents
Ensure proper lighting
It is vital to ensure you have good lighting for a polished result. Generally speaking, natural lighting is the best option for most photos, including clothing shots. This is because natural light reduces harsh shadows and ensures there is soft, even lighting.
You should position the items that you wish to capture using the photography flat lay approach near a window and use sheer curtains to diffuse intense sunlight. And to give a boost, have a reflector, or white foam board opposite the window. It will bounce the light and do away with the shadows.
You must avoid fluorescent or overhead lighting as it can cast unwanted shadows and make colors appear unnatural. Instead, use a soft box or a ring light if natural light isn’t available. Adjust angles when using them to achieve even light distribution.
Choose your background wisely
The choice of background has a great impact on how well your clothing stands out in the photos. You can never go wrong with a neutral background, as it allows you to keep the focus on the items that are the subject of the flat-lay photography.
Some of the best choices for backgrounds are white and beige because they are versatile and go well with most clothing colors. You can also add textures like marble tiles, wooden tables, or even fabric to add depth.
If you’re looking to give your flat lay clothing photography setup a minimalist vibe, you should work with a solid color background. And to introduce a lifestyle look, bring in textures that complement the clothing.
Focus on composition
Another crucial thing when it comes to your clothing photography flat-lay is the composition. When you have a good composition, it directs the viewer’s attention and gives the image a good balance.
The secret to achieving a perfect composition is to use the rule of thirds. It entails positioning your main items off-center, allowing some negative space to be left for a clean and airy look.
Add complementary accessories
Accessories can improve the style of your clothing photography flat-lay because they help to add context to the apparel. You can, for example, pair a winter sweater with a beanie, gloves, and a scarf. Also, you can complement a sundress with sunglasses or a straw hat. However, aim to use one or two carefully picked accessories so as not to overcrowd the flat-lay clothing photography setup and distract viewers from the main piece.
Edit the photos for the final touches
You need to edit your clothing photography flat-lay work to make it look professional. Use photo editing software, or apps to ensure the perfect balance of brightness, contrast, and saturation. However, do subtle edits to maintain the natural appeal of the image.
Conclusion
With the right styling, proper lighting, wise background choice, perfect use of accessories, and professional but subtle editing, you can achieve an excellent flat-lay clothing photography setup.
