10 Tips To Create The Perfect Flatlay For Poshmark

I remember Googling flatlay tips when I first started photographing and listing on Poshmark. I understood what looked good and what I should be striving for, but it was just so hard to achieve, ya know? I’ll tell ya - there’s been just ONE tip that has completely transformed my flatlay game recently, and it’s included below in this list of tips + tricks to creating THE perfect flatlay for Poshmark.

1. Clean + Simple Backgrounds

It doesn’t have to be a plain white background, but make sure your background is clean + simple enough. Or, if your background is the standout, let it be so and opt for simpler and more subdued props + accessories.

I'm using a vibrant background, so my props should be more minimal + simple.

2. Lighting Is Everything

I know this is photography 101, but it really is fundamental to good photos! You’ll want to have the light source shine from behind where you’re taking the photo. I take most photos on my bed and have my back turned towards my windows, so the light source is behind me. Natural lighting is always going to be best.

The light source (sun) is shining from behind me, illuminating the entire photo.

3. Move Closer

OK- this is seriously my biggest game-changer. I noticed my flatlays looked SO much better when everything was closer. Don’t worry about cutting off some of your props or even getting the entire item for sale in the photo.

One of my earlier flatlays. A little boring + too far away.

A more recent flatlay. I moved closer + didn't stress about getting everything in the frame + it has TRANSFORMED my flatlay.

4. Have Some Go-To Props

It’s definitely worth experimenting with which props and accessories look good in your flatlays, but you should have some go-to’s that you can always count on. My top two go-to's are a fake banana leaf and the fall 2018 issue of Goop magazine.

Hat, magazine, banana leaf, sunnies + earrings are the props that never fail me!

5. Note What’s Front + Center

If you’re selling something in your flatlay, make sure it’s the center of attention! You don’t want there to be any confusion as to what it is that’s for sale.

An earlier flatlay, but you can understand the jeans are the focus here.

6. Variety Is Key

Make sure you have a variety of props + accessories being used. Including a list of ideas for props below. Mix and match to make sure you have the most dynamic and least boring flatlay as possible.

- Plants or flowers

- Books or magazines

- Jewelry

- Hats

- Purse

- Sunglasses

- Shoes

- Fruit

- Coffee cups

- Felt board w/ a quote or your closet name

An earlier flatlay, but I was already spicing it up w/ the combo of flowers, a bag, sunnies, fruit + a magazine.

7. Find The Good Angles

Most everything will look fine from straight above, but if there’s a glare you need to avoid or a detail you’ll miss, try shooting from a different angle. For the photo below, my coffee didn’t look great from straight above because I had already drunk most of it 🙃 I shot from a lower angle + also avoided the glare on the card.

Avoiding the glare + making my coffee cup not look so empty.

8. Display All The Details

Position your item(s) in a way that showcases all their best details. Is it new with tags? Pop the tag out so it's noticeable. Are there cool patches? Embellishments? Distressing? Find a way to showcase this with just one photo.

Displaying a bit of the patches on these jeans.

One of my first + better flatlays. Showing off the tags and the button sleeve on this dress.

9. A Little Edit Never Hurts

You'd be surprised at what 10 seconds spent upping your brightness, adjusting the color, + sharpening the photo can do. I have saved edits (also known as a filter) on VSCO that I can apply in couple of seconds.

A quick, one-tap edit using one of my NYP preset filters.

10. Practice Makes Perfect

As always, I’m still livin’ + learnin’! I find what has helped the most has just been not giving up on flatlays. Try and make a flatlay at least once a week and you’ll be surprised at how quickly you pick up on what does and doesn’t work.

A fun little flatlay featured on Poshmark's Insta!