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A UK Pregnancy, Parenting and Lifestyle Blog
March 23, 2016

Instagram: How to take the perfect flatlay photo

It’s no secret that I am a HUGE fan of Instagram flatlays. Half the time it doesn’t even matter what is in the actual photo, it’s more about how the items are positioned and the colours/lighting for me. Flatlays are a style that drew me in as soon as I started using Instagram for my blog – over at @thismamalife. They are such a visually effective (and pleasing) way of creating striking, interesting images.

how to take the perfect instagram flatlay photo

So, as I’ve been requested on quite a few occasions to do a post on how I put my flatlays together, here we go.

instagram flatlay tips

Background – wouldn’t it be great if we all had houses with white floorboards, brick walls, plain white backgrounds, lots of textured rugs all over the place that we could use as backgrounds for our beautiful flat lay photos? I’ll tell you a secret that helped me get round the fact I live in a military marriage quarter, not a gorgeous White loft apartment in New York – make the backgrounds yourself. My husband picked up some pallets from a local DIY store and made me a White wood background. We wall papered one of our dining room walls with White brick wall paper. I regularly use our bedding, blankets and tables as backgrounds. I’ve bought some lovely textured rugs from Ikea to add some interest to my backgrounds. All in all I’m a big cheat!

instagram flatlay tips 3

Positioning – this is the hardest thing about flat lays. It can sometimes take ages to find the perfect positioning. I take photo after photo on my phone trying to figure out what looks best. It’s just a case of messing around and finding what suits your style. It’s fun to try things at different angles to each other and mix up the types of products. I often shoot clothes flat lays with some other items thrown in to add interest, i.e. some animal figures with Little I’s clothes, a jar of flowers with my beauty products. Play around with textures as well. It really adds to an image to have some contrasting textures going on. Throw in a scarf for example. You can always look for positioning inspiration from your favourite flat lay accounts.

instagram flatlay tips 2

Lighting – It’s essential that you have good lighting for flatlay photos. You don’t want lots of different shadows ruining the image you are trying to achieve. Take your photos when there is the most natural light coming into the room, or invest in a good lightbox. It you are using a lightbox, it’s often good to have the light shining down from above for flatlays.

instagram flatlay 7

Editing – as mentioned in my Instagram Tips post here, use apps to enhance your photos. Whether it’s Photoshop or Lightbox on your computer or VSCO Cam, Facetune

kids fahion flat lay

table flat lay

kids fashion flat lay

Hope that helps. Share your links to your flatlay photos below so I can come have a sneaky peek!

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thismamalife

Working mum to 2 👦🏼👧🏼
Wanderer/Military Wife 🌍
💌 sarah@thismamalife.com
💻 thismamalife.com
📽 YT: thismamalife
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Find me here!👇🏻

Kisses and cuddles with my faves 💖💫 Kisses and cuddles with my faves 💖💫
‘Each of us as citizens, has a role to play in c ‘Each of us as citizens, has a role to play in creating a better world for our children.’ - Nelson Mandela ❤️
It’s not enough though, is it? We’ve always h It’s not enough though, is it?

We’ve always had diverse toys in our house (not enough, but I’m working on it ❤️), but when questioned ‘why do you buy your kids Black dolls?’, I’ve faltered and answered incorrectly. I would respond saying ‘because that’s the doll Isla liked the best. What does it matter? We’re all human’, rather than questioning why that person is questioning it in the first place.

In a massive learning curve this week, where I am actively trying to become an anti-racist ally, not just anti-racist/non racist in general, I have found so many shortcomings in my effort to educate my kids and in my own attitudes towards race. But this isn’t about me. So here are some resources I’d like to share on top of the ones shared in my stories.

Some books to read:
Me and White Supremacy - Layla F. Saad.
Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race - Reni Eddo-Lodge.
How to argue with a racist - Adam Rutherford.
Brit(ish) - Afua Hirsch.
White Fragility - Robin Diangelo.
I Am Not Your Baby Mother - Candice Brathwaite.
So You Want to Talk About Race - Ijeoma Oluo.

Diverse kids books:
Anti Racist Baby - X. Kendi.
Riley Can Be Anything -Davina Hamilton.
Look Up - Nathan Bryon.
Mae Among The Stars - Roda Ahmed.
The Mega Magic Hair Swap - Rochelle Humes.
Let’s Talk About Race - Julius Lester.
Welcome To Our World - Moira Butterfield and Harriet Lynas.
This Book Is Antiracist - Tiffany Jewell.
The Extraordinary Gardener - Sam Boughton.
Let The Children March - Monica Clark-Robinson.
Ruby’s Worry - Tom Percival.
A Kids Book About Racism - Jelani Memory.

Some things to watch:
When They See Us.
13th.
Who Killed Malcom X.
Time: The Kalief Browder Story.
Explained: The Racial Wealth Gap.
Dear White People.
I am Not Your Negro.

My to do list:
- Sign more petitions.
- Donate to more causes.
- Listen to podcasts and share.
- Encourage changes in the school curriculum so that my children, and their classmates, get a better, much more rounded and diverse education.
- Call things out.
- Have honest/open conversations.
- Share content.
- To keep educating myself, whilst never expecting others to do it for me.

It’s just a starting point.

Thanks for listening x
Black Lives Matter. I can never pretend to unders Black Lives Matter.

I can never pretend to understand, but I will always stand.

I’ve been on a huge learning curve this week and have, shamefully, come to the realisation, which I should have a long time ago, that it’s not enough to just not be racist. We must also be actively anti-racist and do everything in our power to ensure our children are too.

Today is a day to stop, listen, support, educate ourselves, donate, sign petitions, take action in any way we can, big and small, to make sure that everyone knows we stand with our fellow humans, family and friends. But we can’t just do this today. We must do it each and every day going forward ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻
And breathe! First day without both my babies for And breathe! First day without both my babies for the first time in 10 weeks today and it couldn’t have gone better. Both had wonderful days and were full of stories when they got home. I said over on stories last night, which got an incredible response so thank you to everyone who reached out, that I am completely comfortable with my choice to send the kids back to school and nursery but would never, ever judge anyone who felt different. We are all in different boats in this storm we’ve found ourselves in and what works for my family, might not work for yours. I have deliberately stayed out of the ‘are you sending your kids back or not?’ debate as it started to feel like another toxic discussion, in the media and on social media, that was resulting in yet another parenting divide.
I could have had the kids in this whole time, under key worker provision, but tried my best to hang on till the phased reopenings that I hoped would happen when they did. They were what I was aiming towards. Don’t get me wrong, I have LOVED having the kids at home together for such a sustained period, we have made lots of memories and learnt so much more about each other, but mixed in with the nature of my job and the fact that @thisdadalife is deployed and so I’m on my own with minimal support, I couldn’t have gone on much longer.
When I got in from dropping them off today, and as I went upstairs to work at my desk, I literally collapsed on the stairs and almost cried in relief. Relief that we made it through, as dramatic as that sounds. I don’t think I realised the toll it was taking mentally as I was constantly running on adrenaline.
I am so happy to get a bit more balance back and to, most importantly, feel like a better mum again. Not a snappy trying to juggle it all 24/7 with no break mum.
If you sent your kids back today, whether you wanted to or not, I’m with you and support you.
If you have kept them home in your bubble for longer, I’m with you and support you.
If you’re still unsure what to do and are undecided, I am with you and support you.
Nobody knows the full extent of someone else’s circumstances and we have to stop and realise that before we judge anyone else ❤️
Ibiza vibes in Puerto Gardeno today 😂☀️😅 Ibiza vibes in Puerto Gardeno today 😂☀️😅
This is the first year in YEARS that I have felt ok wearing a bikini. And I feel like it’s more down to how strong I feel, rather than how I look. Whatever it is, I hope it continues ❤️
On another note, how tanned does the @filterbymollymae fake tan make you look! 🙌🏻
(Both bikini and cover up are from last year).
#losingmyboobstho #youwinsomeyoulosesomehaha
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