Art Camp – How to Make Flat Lay Portraits

Today, we are going to do a really simple, really fun and really satisfying activity, that can really express who we are! Its a super way to explore photography too…

What is a Flat Lay?

A flat lay is simply a photo of objects arranged on a flat surface, captured from directly above. They can be very simple, or you can get clever and creative and arrange objects in different layouts!

Flat Lays are used for lots of reasons; often for advertising products, or for showing tabletops where people are studying, making, or cooking. Today, we are going to use flat lays to make a self portrait, of sorts!

If you have been a member of our Facebook group for a little while, you may have seen pictures of this when we did it back in April, as one of our daily prompts! It really was great fun for young and old!

How do I make a flat lay?

So, to make a Flat Lay Self Portrait, all you need to do is gather some objects that show your favourite things, or things that you feel represent you. You could choose things like favourite books, foods, toys, or a piece of clothing? Maybe some art materials, a special teddy, a photograph, a token of achievement? What else could you include?

In addition to objects you choose, you will also need a camera – a camera phone is perfect!

You don’t have to choose a whole selection of things. You could choose one thing you really love, or that symbolises you, and make a flat lay of that! Maybe not donuts, unless you’re a super keen baker, haha!

I would say, its a good idea to focus on your background, Nick and I did our flat lays on our coffee table, and although it meant our lovely doggy made an appearance, generally flat lays work better on one single background. And, a paler background will usually work better, but think about what background works for you! Maybe its outside, maybe its your duvet, maybe its sheets of paper – only you know what will work for you, and you can try a few different types!