Flat lay clothing photography has taken the world by storm. It is a very cost-efficient and minimalistic photography option for those who do not have a big budget for models regarding advertising.
We can all appreciate the business sense of people who use flat lay photography. Clothing flat lay photography has opened doors for all social media influencers and businesses that use eCommerce marketing options. One of the best ways to sell apparel is by sharing the style with the world, for example, by taking a few stunning pictures of the clothing items and posting them to social media or websites. Many websites like Shein uses flat lay photography to give viewers a deeper look into their products while giving off aesthetically pleasing looks.
But how can we use flat lay clothing photography? What are the best ways to incorporate clothing flat lay photography into your products?
During this article, we look at different tips for flat lay photography and how you can incorporate it into your life. We give you a few tips to help you start your product clothing photography journey while helping you gain knowledge and learn about the necessary tools you will need for flat lay photography.
Let’s dive right.
What Is Flat Lay Clothing Photography
Creative clothing photography is the way of the future. After COVID hit, many people were left with only online shopping. Online shopping is fantastic, but for a customer to buy a product, it needs to look attractive.
Flat lay product photography is when the product or clothing item is laid flat on a surface with the photos taken from above. Flat lay photos are usually on a flat surface with a decent background, either a solid color or one that blends well with the product you are shooting. They are symmetrical while giving a very atheistically pleasing view of the product.
Flat lay clothing photography is one of the best and easiest ways to photograph clothes. This also allows the viewer to be less distracted by a model. One of the essential components of clothing photography is the background. The background is what makes the image placate for the viewers.
How Important the Flat Lay Clothing Photography Is for eCommerce?
eCommerce is the art of advertising products online. In the past, eCommerce used to rely on special effects, the environment, or models. Flat lay photography has given viewers a bird’s eye perspective on the clothing; having it all strategically laid out gives viewers an entirely new angle to view clothes.
We all know the power of stylish images in eCommerce for your business, which is why flat lay photography has allowed any small business to achieve the same type of engagement on their products. People are more drawn to minimalistic, down-to-earth pictures that give you a classy look at the product. That is why flat lay clothing photography has become so popular and is essential to your eCommerce strategy for your business.
The Equipment You Need for a Clothes Photoshoot
When you start looking into doing flat lay photography for your clothing products, one of the first things you need to invest in is your equipment. But what equipment is suggested for beginners to flat lay clothing photography?
A Tripod
A tripod will help you keep the camera solid and avoid blurry images. When taking flat lay photos, you must lean above the products to get the right angle. The position is uncomfortable and can cause your arms to tremble to ruin the image. We suggest skipping over standard tripods and looking for one designed to hold a camera at the right angle. It will need to be able to be above the clothing but not too far.
A Decent Camera
Although most photographers would suggest a DSLR camera, many small businesses have opted to use their iPhone camera instead. Preferably, a DSLR camera and a user who knows how to use it will be optimal for the best flat lay clothing photography.
Props
Most flat lay photos consist of a solid white or soft color as a background, and many photographers enjoy incorporating themed props that suit the color scheme of the product that they are photographing.
Lighting
Make sure you have a proper ring light or studio light to help you have the best image result. It is difficult to see all the product details when it is too dark.
Background Remover
This is a controversial tool, but I have had many instances where I needed to clean a background during a flat lay shoot. Of course, no one is perfect, so having a background remover to edit out the odd stain or two on your background will always be a good idea.
These are all the tools you might need for a clothing photoshoot. Of course, some of these are not must-haves, but you can decide which are 100% required for your flay lay photography journey.
How to Take Pictures of Clothes to Sell Online
Next, you are probably interested in how I take flat lay photos of clothing and have them still look professional. Now follow the basic requirements about apparel photography.
Set Up Your Photo Area
Flat lay photos are not complicated to set up, but you still need to place the tripod and lighting in the best positions to give you the best result. Lay the clothes flat on your surface, and you can use a sheet to make a clean background if you do not have a backdrop. Make sure that the shirt’s details are facing up toward the camera.
Light it Up
Nothing is more irritating to a viewer than a dark photo, and no one likes to squint to try and see what is happening. Therefore, I suggest using a studio light even with natural light, as your photos will all have the same look.
Take Multiples Images
When online shopping, one image is not enough. People need to see all the details from all angles and distances. So instead, take too many photos and sort them out later than not take enough.
Make sure you include pictures of the following:
● Back
● Front
● Side
●Details
Smooth Out Flat Lays
Smooth clothes give the viewers a better look. You can try spice up your look with a few natural creases, but always ensure images that include the product are straightened out. You can use an iron or a steamer to eliminate bad wrinkles and fold lines.
Background Remover
When trying flat lay photography, you will notice that the T-shirts look better on a crisp background. Unfortunately, it is sometimes impossible to get a 100% white background with household items, so I suggest investing in a background remover. This will help your image transfer well onto the image, and your product will pop.
Creative Clothing Photography Ideas
Above mentioned the basic requirement about how to take photos of clothes to sell. However, it is far to enough if you want to catch customers’ attention.
Then what is the best way to take pictures of clothes and where can we get some useful flat lay clothing photography tips?
Don’t worry. Below I will share some creative clothing photography ideas. Please keep reading.
Flat Lay with Props
Props are a great way to add some depth to your images without being distracting. For example, if you are photographing a white T-shirt, try adding brown props to add color, vintage watches, or a brown bag with shoes on the side. Make sure the props suit your clothing. This will help the viewer build an outfit in their mind.
Flat Lay Plain Background
Have a plain background when you do flat lay clothing photography. A background that is too bright or distracting can cause the viewer to scroll past or ignore the product in the image.
On a Hanger
Another way to photograph clothing is while it is hanging. For example, a long dress might be too complicated for flat lay photographs. Instead, try hanging the dress on a hanger in front of a solid background to get the complete picture. Again, you want the full product to feature in the image.
On a Mannequin
A mannequin gives clothing a filled-out look and helps the buyer get a complete picture of what the item will look like on a person. On a mannequin, you can also get great side shots to help you gain a better perspective of the apparel.
Details
Details make the product, and when you have a T-shirt with detailed stitching or art, you must photograph it properly. People need to know your product’s details, which makes it seem more attractive. Zoom in closely to sequins and stitching that make the clothing item unique and incorporate it into your final images.
Remove the Background
In the previous part of this post, I mentioned using a background remover to clean images after a shoot. An image background remover will add a touch of professionalism to your images, making viewers more interested in your work. Many buyers can also use a clean image to search for your products online.
There are many background removers online, but some are better than others. Try to find a decent background remover that will give you the best high-quality result for your images.
Final Thoughts
Flat lay photography is the way of the future. A clean, chic look is bound to push your clothes into the market. People are craving for clean images with immense detail and negligible background noise.
Try to have fun while taking these images; you are not supposed to overwork yourself or tire yourself out. Remember, you take the best pictures when you are feeling your best. Create a timetable for yourself so that you can take the best flat lay clothing photographs for your company and give yourself an eCommerce boost in the market.
Until next time.
FAQ
How do you do a flat lay without a shadow?
Make sure to use the correct lighting. Try to avoid dark areas, and make sure you are using a tripod and that it is positioned best for your image. On top of that, you can edit the photos with background remover, which works perfect to remove shadow from your image.
How do you take pictures on a flat lay shirt?
Make sure to take the image from above and iron out the shirt to avoid unwanted creases. You should also try using a lighting kit or natural light if you have enough. This way, you will avoid shadows and dark images.