Flat Lay
Overhead compositions of carefully arranged objects on a flat surface, popular for product and lifestyle photography.
How to use this look
Specify the camera angle explicitly: 'shot from directly above,' 'overhead view,' or 'bird's-eye perspective.' Describe the arrangement: 'neatly arranged,' 'organized grid layout,' or 'artful scatter.' Mention the surface (marble, wood, linen, concrete) as it defines the visual tone. List specific objects to include rather than vague categories.
Common pitfalls
Forgetting to specify the overhead angle is the most common failure — generators default to eye-level perspective. Don't overcrowd the frame; leave negative space for visual breathing room. Avoid describing depth or parallax effects, which contradict the flat perspective.
Starter prompt patterns
Flat lay photograph shot from directly above, morning routine items arranged on white marble surface, coffee cup, notebook, pen, sunglasses, soft natural lightOverhead product flat lay, skincare bottles arranged in grid pattern on light wood surface, minimal styling, clean shadows, editorial product photographyFlat lay food photograph, brunch spread on linen tablecloth, croissants, fruit, coffee, shot from above, natural window light, lifestyle aesthetic
Flat lay photography is defined by a single constraint: the camera is positioned directly above the subject, creating a two-dimensional composition. This perspective eliminates depth cues and forces the viewer to engage with arrangement, color, and texture instead.
In prompting, the critical instruction is the camera angle. Without explicit overhead angle language, generators default to more natural perspectives.