8 Tips to Make your Instagram Prettier with Flat Lays

by Danielle Andrews Sunkel

If you are on Instagram and follow anyone in the Wedding Industry, then you have seen the pretty, staged photos called Flat Lays.

Everyone is posting them and getting tons of likes for their trouble.  The reason is, they are just so darn pretty!

If you would like to get more attention and likes on Instagram, you should consider creating some Flat Lays of your own.  I have composed a list of 8 tips for creating Flat Lays and included a few photos below.

It’s a work at home, tea-drinking kind of day for me. So thankful I have that ability. Bob Marley said it best: “Love the life you live! Live the life you love!” #girlboss #weddingplanner #lifeofawpicweddingplanner #entrepreneur #bobmarley #qotd #wtlb #wordstoliveby

A photo posted by Danielle Andrews Sunkel (@daniellewpic) on Dec 14, 2015 at 11:33am PST

Here are some tips to create a Flat Lay and be a SmartPhoneographer in your own right:

1. Background– The easiest way to create a Flat Lay is by laying everything out on your floor but unless you have a fabulous floor, you are going to need to use a white board, wrapping paper, bristol board or a sheet.  White or plain backgrounds look the best as they don’t take any attention away from the subject.
2. Lighting– Natural light works best.  Set up your Flat Lay near a window with lots of natural light streaming in, or fake it with a diffused light right on your subject matter.  Make sure there aren’t any shadows in your photo.
3. Positioning– Position your items in a visually appealing way.  Do you want everything straight up and down, or a few things at an artistic angle?  Make sure there is order to the chaos, you don’t want your image to look messy or too busy.
4. Props– a few bright, colouful or fun props add whimsy to your Flat Lay and make it more interesting.
5. Keep Subject in a Square– Make sure the main items you want to show will still be visible in the Instagram Square.  Better yet, take the photo in the square setting.
6. Cropping–  Don’t worry about getting closeup when you are taking the photo, take it from further away and then play with the cropping when you edit the photo.
7. Camera Apps- Up your Smartphone camera game by using a Photography App: Camera+, Photoshop Express, and Aviary are just a few.
8. Smartphone Lenses– You can purchase accessory clip on lenses for your phone like, Macro, Wide-angle and Fish Eye.

Here are some more examples of Flat Lays:

Using this rainy, snowy and chilly weekend to get organized for the week ahead. #todolist #getcrackin #mustwriteblogs #coffeeplease #traceymevents #creativityfound #finditliveit #lifeofawpicweddingplanner

A photo posted by Tracey Manailescu (@traceymevents) on Nov 21, 2015 at 11:36am PST

I’ve got all the essentials. #LoveMexicoDW conference, here I come! 😉 @traceymevents and I are speaking on Friday, come join us. #heavyreading #ipad #raybans #passport #businesscards #notepad #wpic #lifeofawpiccweddingplanner #Mexico

A photo posted by Danielle Andrews Sunkel (@daniellewpic) on Dec 2, 2015 at 5:09pm PST

Taking a break from running errands on Main St. Unionville. How pretty are these #truffles and #macarons from Old Firehall Confectionery?? #mainstreet #unionville #tofood #foodie #confections #glutenfree

A photo posted by Danielle Andrews Sunkel (@daniellewpic) on Aug 5, 2015 at 10:17am PDT

Morning coffee on the porch with my homemade gluten free butter tarts. It’s going to be a great day 😉 #coffee #glutenfree #buttertarts #morningtreat #coconutoilcoffee

A photo posted by Danielle Andrews Sunkel (@daniellewpic) on Jul 15, 2015 at 7:31am PDT

A client “Welcome Kit”, with a personal planning timeline, macarons and wine. Welcome to “The Wedding Planners”, where planning your wedding is always fun.😉 #lifeofawpicweddingplanner #weddingpros #weddingplanner

A photo posted by Danielle Andrews Sunkel (@daniellewpic) on Nov 28, 2015 at 9:40am PST

You can also find more inspiration of Flat Lays by doing a search of #flatlays on Instagram.

Have fun, get creative, and show your style!