In my relentless pursuit of fun things to do with a teacup, it was inevitable that I would eventually try a teacup flat lay!
What IS a Flat Lay?
What IS flat lay, you ask? Well, here’s the Cambridge dictionary definition:
An image or a style of photograph in which a number of things are arranged on a surface and then photographed from above.
Cambridge Dictionary
I learned about flat lay at an amazing photography and Instagram workshop I attended last fall.
My instructor gave me the basics and helped me out a bit (ok – a lot!) And I got some photos I really liked. But I haven’t done many since then.
So, since I love teacups as I do, it was only right that I start with a teacup flat lay session.
Pink Roses Start The Teacup Flat Lay
I had just done a photo shoot for a tablescape, using these beautiful pink roses. So that’s where I started.
Other Flat Lay Items
I also went around and gathered up a bunch of household items that might -or might not – be good together. I love things that tell a story or remind me of something lovely. Many of these things are like that.
Like these scarves. My mother had them when I was little, and I used to love how silky they were.
Every once in a while, she’d let me look at her beautiful belt and scarf drawer. (Mom had an organizational and artistic mastery with the belt drawer to which I still aspire!) Now that I have them, I take them out and enjoy the silkiness as often as possible!
The charm bracelet in the photo above also belonged to my mother. She had several, but this particular one carried charms that she had gotten from Clipped Wings conventions!
“Clipped Wings” is the name of the philanthropic organization of retired flight attendants, of which she was a lifelong member. At every convention, attendees received a silver charm, often representing the host city. A jingly silver scrapbook, you might say! Of course, that’s where my love of charm bracelets came from!
Messing Around With The Teacup Flat Lay Layout
One of the most fun things about my teacup flat lay was messing around with the layout. You can mess around with the cropping too, once you’ve taken the photos.
Here are several examples of putting things in, taking things out, and generally experimenting!
Different Versions
This is where I started, below. Teacup, books, sealing wax, yarn, and a rose.
Ooh that picture was too dark – let’s lighten it up. Also how about we add a corner of one of the lovely scarves?
Ok, those were kind of fun! How about something with even more yarn? (Yarn is another one of my weaknesses. I’ve gotten so I don’t even go in yarn stores any more because I already have so many unfinished projects!)
And how could I resist some candy with my own name on it? Especially since it was the same color as my teacup flat lay!
Next, less yarn and candy, and more roses. As you can see, the flat lay options are limitless!
Even More Teacup Flat Lay Experiments
I took a lot more teacup flat lay photos that day. And I used all kinds of pretty and nostalgic items from the house, and from the garden.
It’s so much fun learning a new skill! If you have a camera and somewhere flat, you might want to give flat lays a try too. (Or you could draw or paint them as a stillife, if you’re so inclined.) They’re an endless source of entertainment and artistic satisfaction!
If you do, let me know what you think – I’d love to know!
Teacup Shopping
If you love teacups as much as I do and want to start or add to your collection, Click HERE for the Shopping Page. Then click on the picture of the teacup. There are lots and lots of gorgeous cups and saucers just waiting for good homes!
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Pin The Teacup Flat Lay For Later
Have A Lovely Teacup Tuesday!
This Post Shared With
- Tuesday Turn About #59 – Hosted by Blue Sky at Home
- Charming Homes & Gardens #17 – Hosted by Stacy Ling
- Centerpiece Wednesday 07.29.20 – Hosted by Karin’s Kottage
- Thursday Favorite Things #450 – Hosted by An Artful Mom
- Metamorphosis Monday #601 – Hosted by Between Naps on the Porch
- Wonderful Wednesday #17 – Hosted by Hammers N Hugs
- Metamorphosis Monday #687 – Hosted by Between Naps on the Porch
Barbara, this is such a great idea – I love this! And as you say, the possibilities are endless; the wheels are busy turning inside my head right now. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Kim! It really is fun! I can’t wait to see what you come up with – you’re so creative! 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by, and Happy Tuesday! 💗
Interesting, it was fun to watch you progress through your ideas. I’ve always loved that old transfer ware pattern. Occasionally I find pieces and they sell quickly. I think I will try a few photos of ‘Grandma’s things’ and ‘Mom’s things’ for a couple of hexagon frames I have had sitting waiting for a project….thanks for the idea. Of course I will have to blog when I figure it out! Grins, Sandi
Oh that sounds like fun Sandi! I definitely want to read that post! 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by, and Happy Almost Weekend!
Your flat-lays are gorgeous Barbara! I especially love your mom’s scarves and charm bracelet. Such a special touch, with so much meaning. Thank you for sharing with Charming Homes and Gardens this week my friend.
Oh thank you Kim – that’s so sweet of you! I love Mom’s stuff too! 💗 Thank YOU for hosting the CH&G party – it’s so much fun! 🙂
Oh, Barbara- how gorgeous! You had me at your first pic – wow – love the flat lays!
I did some flat lays for the trav teacup session, but I didn’t like how they came out – I loved the entire round wicker table from above but it was so hot I didn’t bother to leaf blow out the zen room and there were dead headed bits and some weeds and yucky bits. No yucky bits for showing off our beloved Tessa Rose.
Thank you for another beautiful teacup eye candy pretty post. PS love the candy with your name on it, how cool is THAT?????
Hugs.
Ha! Isn’t that true?! You never notice the “stuff” until you see it through the camera lens! 🙂 I love the Leone candy too – so many yummy flavors! Plus it’s such a cute little tin! 🙂 Hope you have a lovely evening my friend! Take Care! 💗
Your pictures are amazing Barbara – so much fun you must have had doing this “photo shoot”. Thanks so much for sharing your tea cup adventures with us.
Chas! I’m so glad you like them my friend! I’m having so much fun with the teacups! 🙂 Hope you have a lovely day, stay cool, and do something fun! 💗
There is definitely an art to a good flat lay, which I have not mastered myself. Thanks for all the tips Barbara
Hi Denise! I had a very good teacher! Not sure I’m doing her justice yet, but hey – it was fun!! 🙂 Happy Tuesday my friend! 💗
All your photos are beautiful…I really enjoy Teacup Tuesday…so much more enchanting than Taco Tuesday. Stay Well! Thanks for the inspiration.
Ha! Well maybe we can have teacups first and go out for tacos later! 🙂 Thanks so much – I’m so glad you stopped by! 💗
Barbara, your flatlays are so beautiful and look like they belong in a magazine! I especially love the one with the sweet mementoes that belonged to your dear mother. I know you must treasure them so. Take care, sweet friend!
Oh thank you Shannon – you’re so sweet! Can I have you call up the magazines for me and tell them that!? 🙂 And yes I do treasure the special things I got from my mom. The memories are lovely! Hope you have a great day my friend! 💗
Your tea cup flatlays have turned out beautifully! Your post reminded me of what fun it is to style & shoot flatlays. Keep it going! Flatlays are also super useful as mockups!
Thanks so much Sneha! I never thought of mock ups – what a great idea! And thanks so much for subscribing – you can see some of your graphics in action on M&T! 🙂 Hope you’re having a lovely summer! 💗