Hello, Tifani here!
I want to introduce you to Lyndsay, I saw her work after she purchased the Georgian Ring Box Collection and I fell in love with her style. She was kind enough to share her story and flat lay knowledge with us! I'm excited to dive in and learn from someone who has perfected the art of the flat lay. Make sure to follow her work and introduce yourself on her instagram
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your wedding photography business!
"I am an editorial style wedding photographer based out of Kelowna, British Columbia Canada. For the last decade, I've had the incredible privilege of documenting exceptional couples as they celebrate one of the most emotional and memorable days of their lives. My photography focuses on joyful, editorial, stylish images full of beautiful light and natural emotion. With timeless film tones and a relaxed approach for unscripted moments with just the right amount of guidance. I specialize in luxury weddings both in my home base of Kelowna British Columbia and destinations around the world. "
How long have you been shooting weddings, when did you start incorporating flat lays?
"I have been shooting weddings for 10 years and started incorporating flatlays into my process in year two after I attended a fine art wedding photography workshop and fell in love! "
How long do you like to reserve for morning detail photos?
"Flatlay photos take longer to create than most people expect. It takes a bit of time to lay everything out, make sure the overall image is properly balanced, and then get yourself situated perfectly above the layout to get the shot.
I request a minimum of one hour for morning of detail photos but have spent up to two hours for weddings with extensive and/ or elaborate details. "
How do you prepare your clients for wedding flat lays? Do you ask for anything specific? Any tips for being prepared?
"I ask my couples to set aside a copy of their wedding invitation suite including all the envelopes. I also ask them to have their rings, shoes, cufflinks and any other special details they would like captured all gathered for the morning of the wedding. A good tip I give all my couples is to ask their florist to include some "loose blooms" with the bouquet or boutonniere delivery in the morning. A few florals can really elevate a flatlay. "
Let’s get into the technical side of shooting stunning flat lays. What camera(s) do you shoot with? What is your preferred lens for detail photos
"Oh gosh I have way too many cameras LOL. My favorite camera right now for flatlays is my Nikon Z8 with a 35mm or 50mm lens."
What aperture do you like to shoot at?
"The aperture I shoot on depends on the details I am shooting but it's usually f5 or f8."
Any tips for how you find/make good light for flat lays?
"Look for a room with lots of natural light and ample floor space (a room with white or grey walls is ideal to help avoid color cast). Set up beside a window or patio door if possible. I always use a reflector to bounce the light back at flatlay and help reduce shadows."
Are there any rules of design you try to follow?
"I always try to space items out in a way that makes the eye flow naturally through the image all the way from the top to the bottom. I use risers under stationary to create additional depth and texture and make the image more visually appealing."
Do you have a shot list for morning details you try to stick to?
"Every wedding is very different in terms of the kind and amount of details the couple wants captured. My general rule is to start with stationary as it is the most time consuming detail to style. From there I move on to shoes, jewelry and any other special details the couple might have."
What are your go to items for flat lays?
"I have curated a styling kit that I take to all my weddings and choose items to compliment the overall colors/ theme of the wedding design. My most used items are styling mats, ring boxes, stationary risers and floral risers. I also bring fishing line, temporary glue dots and scissors as tools to help make everything look picture perfect."
How do you feel adding flat lays to your portfolio has affected your photography business?
"I believe flatlays elevate the overall wedding gallery and are an important component of telling the story of the day. Couples often put quite a lot of time and thought into things like stationary and attire and appreciate those details being captured. Adding flatlays into my process definitely helped set me apart in my local market."
Any advice for someone who wants to start incorporating flat lays into their portfolio?
"Practice as much as you can on your own time before you attempt to execute it on an actual wedding day and put together your own styling kit, It doesn't have to be anything elaborate to begin with but bringing a nice surface to shoot on and some pretty ring box options will really elevate your photos. Communication is key. Let your couple know that you will need their details ready to go the morning of the wedding, otherwise you risk losing a lot of time trying to track those items down when you arrive."
