How To Take Pictures Of Clothes Without Mannequin

Are you looking for clothing photography techniques that do not require mannequins?

We’re here to help you.

For a clothing business, model or mannequin photography may seem the most appropriate. However, there are other photography techniques that can help present garments in a unique way, converting potential customers into actual customers.

In this article, we’ve provided a detailed guideline on how to take pictures of clothes without mannequin. Here you will learn about two photography techniques: flat lay photography and hanging photography for clothing items, their shooting techniques, advantages, and a lot more!

Without further ado, let’s dive in.

Table of Contents

Techniques for Photographing Clothes Without Mannequin

There are several techniques for photographing outfits without a mannequin. Among them, the most popular and hassle-free techniques are Flat lay photography and Hanging photography.

Let’s learn about both of these techniques in detail.

Flat Lay Photography

Flat Lay photography is a popular apparel photography technique in which the garments are laid on a flat surface and the shot is taken from above. This technique is also known as Bird’s eye view, Knolling, and Top-down photography. To capture this overhead shot, the camera is mounted directly in parallel (90° angle) over the clothing items. This clothing photography technique is widely used in the eCommerce clothing industry, especially for social media marketing.

Hanging Clothing Photography

Hanging clothing photography is another trendy without mannequin photography technique where clothes are showcased on hangers and the shots are taken from various angles, including closeup shots, side angle views, long shots, and so on.

This eye-level clothing photograph captures the natural drape, dimensions, and flow of the clothes in a realistic and appealing way. All you need to do is hang the clothes on a hanger against a white or clean background and set the camera in front at the same level. These hanging pictures of clothes work well on eCommerce websites as well as social media platforms.

How to Capture Flat Lay Clothing Photography?

Flat lay clothing photography has grown in popularity because of its ability to present clothes in a simple yet visually striking way. Shooting flatlays is easy and convenient; all you need is a flat surface and a proper setting.

The following is a step-by-step guideline on how to take pictures of clothes without mannequin using the flat lay photography technique:

Planning and Preparation

The first step is to come up with a proper plan and arrange all the necessary equipment as part of the preparation. Choose a style for presenting your garments, such as a minimalist look, a bohemian vibe, or seasonal inspiration, that best suits your brand identity and target audience.

Based on that, decide on the backdrop, color palette, complementary accessories, props, etc. To help with visualising your planning and making your work easier, you can create mood boards using digital platforms such as Pinterest.

Your Clothing Photography Equipment

The next step is to arrange the photography equipment. Here is a list of equipment you need for flat lay clothing photography.

Camera: The most important equipment is a good quality camera. For professional quality photographs, you can use a full-frame mirrorless camera or a DSLR. If you don’t have a high-quality camera, then no worries; a smartphone with a high-resolution camera will also do the work.