Meet Anna! I think you'll love her style with flat lays. She does a fabulous job of blending clean lines and vintage mixed together which I think is such a rare find! Her execution is always so sharp and I can always guess when it's a flat lay of hers in my feed. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us Anna!
-Tifani
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your wedding photography business!
I am Anna Taylor! I am a wife and a mom of two amazing boys! I started my business out of college and celebrated 10 years in business this year!
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How long have you been shooting weddings, when did you start incorporating flat lays?
I have been shooting for 10 years. I started as an intern with another wedding photographer and learned quickly about flat lays for wedding details. However, they were very different - very simple and I often used either a bridesmaids dress or a surface that was at the venue (pillows, sofas, porch floors, etc haha)
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(Flat lay featuring the square georgian ring box in hydrangea)
How long do you like to reserve for morning detail photos?
At this point, I like to reserve 30 minutes on the photography timeline for details right when I arrive to each wedding day. However, this is when I actually start shooting details. I have learned in the last couple of years that if I want to get more than one detail setup, 30 minutes is not enough time to setup the details as well as photograph them. So, I like to arrive 30-45 minutes before my start time. This gives me time to help gather the details, florals, and bring in the flat lay details that I provide, as well as gives me time to completely setup a flat lay on at least one mat and if I have two mats that work with the details, I like to go ahead and partially set up the second one!
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(Flat lay featuring the square georgian ring box in hydrangea)
How do you prepare your clients for wedding flat lays? Do you ask for anything specific? Any tips for being prepared?
This!! This is key! I actually, in the last two years have been very diligent about educating my clients on all things details! For years, I used a check list that I gave them, which was very helpful, but I felt like soemtimes it didn’t help blend the details with the details of the entire wedding day. Now, I actually send clients a full details guide that includes links to vendors who sell things like ring boxes, ribbons, vow booklets, etc. I also explain how to incorporate details not only from their getting ready, but throughout the entire day all the way down to their napkins and cake! I also have them send me images of any details they are choosing to incorporate from their shoes, to their linens, to their bridesmaids dresses, etc.
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(flat lay featuring the oval georgian ring box in dove and the mini styling plate)
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
I shoot with both Film and digital for flat lays! I shoot with a Canon R6 as well as a Contax 645. I like to shoot with a 50mm first and then I switch to a macro lens to get the perfect ring shots!
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(flat lay featuring the oval georgian ring box in dove and the mini styling plate)
What aperture do you like to shoot at?
For Flat lays with a lot of layers and details, I like to shoot at 2.0 to 2.8! For flat lays with few details (just shoes, or just side angles of individual pieces then I like to shoot at 1.8 or 2.0. Lastly, I always like to shoot a couple of macro ring shots with a high aperture anywhere from 4.0 to 8.0 depending on how intricate the ring is or the texture of the background I am using.
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(flat lay featuring the oval georgian ring box in dove and the square georgian ring box in hydrangea)
Any tips for how you find/make good light for flat lays?
Yes! I also get to venues (especially ones I have not shot at before) early to scout out the best lighting. Best lighting for me is window lighting without direct sunlight. Or if the weather is right, a covered porch outdoor. I also bring a reflector or use anything white (like white board)
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Are there any rules of design you try to follow?
Not necessarily design rules, but I like to do two different designs - one that is more straight edged and linear and another that is more organic in styling.
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(flat lay featuring the oval georgian ring box in dove and radiant georgian ring box in traverse bay)
Do you have a shot list for morning details you try to stick to?
Within my questionnaire I do ask about any special details to be captured such as something old,new,borrowed or blue or any heirlooms they may have. However, when it comes to a shot list, I just stick to the order I usually shoot flat lays. Large group with *almost everything, then individual pieces (some I do a new flat lay, but most I just get individual shots with my macro), then an organic flat lay styling, then any reception or cocktail hour designs.
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What are your go to items for flat lays?
Definitely ring boxes! I also love incorporating florals! They usually are a huge part of the color story within a wedding day and it helps bring life to any flat lay! I also love to incorporate vintage details to give a more unique and luxurious feel! Vintage trinket dishes, vintage stamps, vintage perfume bottles, etc. These also can bring in a beautiful color story. Oh my goodness! I almost forgot beautiful flat lay mats! I have some beautiful solid color ones, a few with texture, and one or two beautifully hand painted ones! This helps to elevate any invitation suite. However, with weddings that have a unique color story that incorporates patterns or specific textures, I have started trying to incorporate those designs as well! Choosing to use the linens as the backdrops of part of the flat lays!
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How do you feel adding flat lays to your portfolio has affected your photography business?
It has definitely elevated my portfolio! I also think it just helps to tell the full day story! It brings the beautiful stories that of the two people getting married together
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Any advice for someone who wants to start incorporating flat lays into their portfolio?
One of my favorite things to do, is at the end of a wedding, ask the bride I can have the extra copy or two of their invitation suite from the day and a few florals from the reception to bring home! Then the next day, I love to take time to practice different set ups and get a little more creative without the pressure or time crunch of a wedding day. I feel as though my most creative flat lays have come from practicing at home after weddings!
