Flat Lay Photography for Perth E-commerce: A Complete Guide [2025]

Flat lay photography has become essential for e-commerce and social media marketing. That perfectly arranged overhead shot of products—whether skincare, clothing, stationery, or food—drives engagement, builds brand aesthetic, and ultimately sells products.

For Perth brands selling online, mastering flat lay photography means creating a consistent visual identity that stands out in crowded marketplaces and Instagram feeds. This guide covers everything from basic setup to advanced styling techniques.

Why Flat Lay Photography Works

Flat lay’s popularity isn’t accidental. It works because:

Whether you’re a Perth skincare brand, artisan maker, or retail shop, flat lay photography should be part of your visual toolkit.

Essential Equipment for Flat Lay Photography

Camera Options

You don’t need the most expensive gear to achieve professional results:

Professional (Best Quality)

• Mirrorless or DSLR camera (Sony A7, Canon R6, Nikon Z6)
• 50mm or 35mm prime lens for sharpness
• Tethered shooting for instant review

Intermediate (Great Results)

• Entry DSLR (Canon EOS Rebel, Nikon D3500)
• Kit lens at wider end (18-55mm at 35mm)
• Remote shutter release

Budget (Still Effective)

• Modern smartphone (iPhone 12+, Pixel 6+, Samsung Galaxy S21+)
• Phone holder/tripod mount
• Bluetooth remote or timer

The quality of your lighting and styling matters far more than camera price.

Tripod and Mounting

Flat lay requires shooting directly overhead—you need proper support:

Options:

1. Tripod with horizontal arm: Extends over your surface (Manfrotto 190X, Neewer horizontal arm)
2. Light stand with boom: Attach camera mount for flexibility
3. Wall-mounted arm: Permanent setup for studios
4. DIY solutions: Ladder and clamped mount (unstable, but works)

Key considerations:

• Stability is crucial—any movement causes blur
• Height adjustability for different compositions
• Weight capacity for your camera setup
• Ability to position directly over centre of surface

Lighting Equipment

Natural light (most accessible):

• Large window (south-facing for consistent light in Australia)
• Sheer white curtains for diffusion
• White foam boards for fill reflection
• Shooting times: Overcast days or 10am-2pm away from direct sun

Artificial light (most consistent):

• Large softbox (60x90cm minimum)
• LED continuous lights (easier than flash for beginners)
• Reflectors and fill cards
• Light stands

Budget lighting tips:

• Shoot near windows on bright days
• DIY softbox using translucent shower curtain
• White poster board reflectors ($5 each)

Background Surfaces

Build a collection of backgrounds for variety:

Investment tip: Start with 3-5 surfaces that match your brand. White, grey, and one textured surface cover most needs.

Planning Your Flat Lay Compositions

Start with Purpose

Before arranging anything, answer:

1. What’s the goal? Product launch, lifestyle branding, social content?
2. Where will this appear? E-commerce, Instagram, website hero?
3. What’s the hero product? This gets the most prominent placement
4. What story are you telling? Morning routine, gift giving, everyday luxury?

The Rule of Thirds in Flat Lay

Divide your frame into a 3x3 grid:

• Place your hero product at an intersection point
• Fill other areas with supporting products and props
• Keep one or two sections relatively open (negative space)

This creates natural visual hierarchy and guides the viewer’s eye.

Composition Patterns That Work

The Grid

• Products arranged in neat rows and columns
• Clean, organised, modern aesthetic
• Works well for product ranges or colour stories

The Diagonal

• Items arranged along a diagonal line
• Creates dynamic movement through frame
• Great for storytelling sequences

The Circle/Spiral

• Items radiate from a central point
• Draws eye toward the hero product
• Works for single product with accessories

The Scatter

• Organic, less structured arrangement
• Appears casual but requires careful placement
• Suits lifestyle and artisan brands

The Frame

• Props frame the hero product
• Creates focus and depth
• Effective for highlighting single items

Styling Techniques for Product Categories

Skincare and Beauty Products

Perth’s growing skincare industry demands polished visuals:

Hero arrangements:

• Main product slightly off-centre
• Texture sample (cream swipe) adds visual interest
• Dropper or applicator positioned naturally

Props that work:

• Natural elements (eucalyptus, dried flowers, stones)
• Marble or ceramic dishes
• Textured linens in neutral tones
• Citrus or ingredient references

Lighting notes:

• Avoid harsh shadows on bottles and tubes
• Watch for cap reflections
• Gradients on curved surfaces add dimension

Food and Beverage Products

Align with your food photography approach:

Hero arrangements:

• Hero product with supporting items
• Include ingredients or serving suggestions
• Show packaging and product where relevant

Props that work:

• Recipe ingredients (coffee beans, spices, fruits)
• Utensils and serving ware
• Napkins and textiles
• Fresh garnishes

Styling tips:

• Food products benefit from some “action” (spilled beans, scattered ingredients)
• Include scale reference (hands, plates, cups)
• Keep it appetising—colour and freshness matter

Fashion and Accessories

Hero arrangements:

• Main garment or accessory as focal point
• Styled with complementary items
• Suggest the complete look or outfit

Props that work:

• Other fashion items (bags, shoes, jewellery)
• Fresh flowers or greenery
• Books, magazines
• Sunglasses, watches for scale

Styling tips:

• Iron or steam garments before shooting
• Use invisible clips to shape fabric
• Accessories should enhance, not overwhelm

Stationery and Paper Goods

Hero arrangements:

• Featured product with fan of related items
• Show product being used (pen on notebook)
• Include branding elements naturally

Props that work:

• Writing instruments
• Paper clips, pins (in brand colours)
• Desktop items (glasses, plants)
• Coffee cups

Styling tips:

• Keep lines crisp and parallel
• Consistent paper colours across shots
• Text should be readable where visible

Lighting Mastery for Flat Lay

Natural Light Setup

Optimal setup:

1. Position surface parallel to large window
2. Diffuse harsh sunlight with sheer white curtains
3. Place white foam board opposite window to fill shadows
4. Shoot during consistent light (10am-2pm)

Managing challenges:

• Sun moves throughout day—work quickly or reschedule
• Overcast days give softest, most even light
• Avoid mixed lighting (turn off indoor lights)
• Perth’s bright sun often needs heavy diffusion

Artificial Light Setup

One-light setup (minimal but effective):

• Large softbox positioned above and slightly behind surface
• Use reflector below camera to fill foreground shadows
• Consistent results regardless of weather

Two-light setup (professional):

• Overhead softbox as key light
• Second light or reflector from front at lower power
• Minimal shadows, maximum product visibility

Light positioning:

• 30-45° angle from vertical gives dimension
• 90° (directly above) for shadowless look
• Avoid light from below (unnatural shadows)

Eliminating Unwanted Shadows

Shadows in flat lay usually signal setup problems:

Building Consistency Across Images

Create Your Style Templates

Document your winning compositions for replication:

Record for each template:

• Surface and backdrop used
• Prop combination
• Light positioning
• Camera height and settings
• Example grid overlay

This enables consistent content production across team members or time.

Colour Palette Consistency

Maintain cohesive colours throughout your flat lay library:

• Background colours: Stick to 2-3 core options
• Prop colours: Build a prop kit in brand colours
• Mood: Consistent warm/cool tones in editing
• Accent colours: One or two pops of colour maximum

Editing for Consistency

Post-processing should unify all images:

Standard adjustments:

• White balance consistency (remove colour casts)
• Exposure normalisation (similar brightness levels)
• Contrast range (same black and white points)
• Saturation style (natural, vibrant, or muted)

Create presets:

• Lightroom presets for batch editing
• Apply same adjustment to all images in series
• Minor tweaks only for individual shots

E-commerce Specific Requirements

Platform Image Guidelines

Different platforms have different requirements:

E-commerce Flat Lay Best Practices

White background hero:

• Clean, distraction-free
• Product as large as possible in frame
• Consistent positioning across range

Lifestyle/styled version:

• Adds context and emotional appeal
• Shows product in use or setting
• Increases engagement over plain shots

Multiple angle coverage:

• Top-down plus angled shots
• Close-up details
• Scale reference (hands, common objects)

File Management

Organise your growing image library:

Naming convention: ProductName_Platform_Version_Date.jpg Example: VitaminCSerum_Shopify_Main_20251214.jpg

Folder structure:

/Product Photography
  /Product Name
    /Raw Files
    /Edited
    /E-commerce (white bg)
    /Lifestyle
    /Social Media

Common Flat Lay Mistakes

Mistake 1: Cluttered Composition

Problem: Too many items competing for attention.

Solution: Remove items until the composition breathes. Less is more. If in doubt, take something out.

Mistake 2: Ignoring Negative Space

Problem: Every inch filled with products or props.

Solution: Leave 20-30% of frame as open space. This rest area gives eyes a place to pause.

Mistake 3: Inconsistent Lighting

Problem: Shadows point different directions; some items bright, others dark.

Solution: Use one main light source. Position for even coverage. Add fill, don’t add extra shadows.

Mistake 4: Props Stealing Focus

Problem: A beautiful flower overshadows your actual product.

Solution: Props support; they never compete. If a prop is prettier than your product, reconsider.

Mistake 5: Sloppy Styling

Problem: Visible dust, fingerprints, crumpled packaging, crooked labels.

Solution: Clean everything. Steam fabrics. Align labels. What looks fine in person shows clearly in photos.

Mistake 6: Wrong Crop Orientation

Problem: Composing square when you need vertical, or vice versa.

Solution: Plan crops before shooting. Shoot wider to allow reframing for different platforms.

DIY vs Professional Flat Lay Photography

When DIY Makes Sense

Manage flat lay photography yourself when:

• Volume is low (under 20 products)
• Budget is limited during startup phase
• Products are simple (no reflective or challenging surfaces)
• You have time to develop skills
• Quick turnaround is needed (new products, social content)

Time investment reality: Expect 30-60 minutes per product initially, including setup, shooting, and editing.

When to Hire a Professional

Consider professional product photography when:

• Launching a new brand (first impressions matter)
• Products are high-value or premium positioned
• Volume is high (50+ products)
• Complex products (glass, reflective, beverage)
• Product is difficult to style (clothing, jewellery)
• Images for paid advertising (higher standards required)

Return on investment: Professional images typically increase conversion rates 20-30%. Calculate your breakeven on increased sales.

Building Your Flat Lay Workflow

Batch Shooting Workflow

Maximise efficiency by batching similar tasks:

Preparation (Day Before):

1. Clean all products
2. Gather props and backgrounds
3. Charge batteries, clear memory cards
4. Review shot list

Setup Phase (15-30 minutes):

1. Set up lighting/natural light
2. Position tripod and camera
3. Dial in settings
4. Test shot and adjust

Shooting Phase (Batch by setup):

1. Shoot all products with same background
2. Change backgrounds, reshoot all
3. Detail shots for key products
4. Review on larger screen periodically

Cleanup:

1. Transfer all files immediately
2. Backup to second location
3. Quick cull obvious unusable shots
4. Store props and surfaces properly

Editing Workflow

Import and organisation:

1. Import to Lightroom/capture software
2. Rate and flag selects
3. Reject obvious failures

Base editing (apply to all):

1. Apply preset or base adjustments
2. Sync settings across similar images
3. Lens corrections and crop

Individual refinement:

1. Exposure tweaks per image
2. White balance fine-tuning
3. Spot removal (dust, blemishes)
4. Minor composition adjustments

Export:

1. Export variants for each platform
2. Apply appropriate file naming
3. Organise into delivery folders

Frequently Asked Questions

Need professional flat lay photography for your Perth e-commerce brand? Our product photography team specialises in creating consistent, scroll-stopping images that convert browsers into buyers. Get in touch to discuss your product photography needs.