How To Style A Pink Donut Flat Lay

If you’ve always wanted to style a pink donut flat lay but didn’t know how then you have come to the right place! There’s something romantic about pink donuts and flowers but if you style them in the wrong way it won’t convey the look you want. The finished photo did not look that way when I photographed it but with a simple nip and tuck you can have an insta or magazine worthy photo.

This photoshoot required very little effort and cost so keep reading to see exactly how I finished with the final photograph.

What You Will Need To Style A Pink Donut Flat lay

• Plain Donuts
• Pink Icing. You can buy this ready made or make your own.
• Fresh Pink Flowers
• Teacup
• Pink Food Colouring
• Dried Rose Petals
• Wooden Backdrop
• A pair of hands (nails painted pink are an added bonus!)

How To Style A Pink Donut Flat Lay

• PLANNING. This is really important before you do anything. Start with a simple sketch of how you envisage your final photograph. It only has to be an outline as you will get extra inspiration as you build your scene. Here I decided on how many donuts I needed, my colour scheme and ingredients. I sketched about 3 different scenarios so as to have a number of different styling options.

• PREPARATION. Preparation is key. In the past I have delved straight into a photoshoot thinking I could make it up as I go along. But believe me the final shots weren’t perfect! If you have all the prep done in advance then the styling will be so much easier. Set up your backdrop and get the props ready for a test shot. Do NOT put out any fresh props like fresh petals or herbs unless they are in water. Any non food props or dried petals may be styled at this stage. I sometimes add the un-iced donuts into the test shot at this stage. Then make your icing and ice the donuts and place in the fridge for 10 minutes to set. (You can ice these first if you are rushed for time).

• SET UP YOUR CAMERA AND EQUIPMENT. I set up my equipment at this stage as it enables me to have my table in the right location if using natural light and if using artificial lights it is ready for a test shot. You may also use a mobile phone on a tripod. My set up today was a simple artificial light set up to one side using one strobe and double diffuser. I had my camera on a simple Manfrotto tripod. Using a tethering cable to your computer makes the whole process much easier as you can see the set up on the bigger screen and decide where to angle your hands.

• ADD LAYERS. I add a layer to my scene as it frames the phone and gives your photo more dimension and movement. This can be in the form of plates, linens, wired cooling racks, wooden bread boards, table mats etc. Today I simply added a wired cooling wrack to elevate part of my scene.

• SET UP YOUR FINAL SCENE. You have all the prep work done so now it’s time to set up your scene by adding all the elements together. Place the iced donuts in the scene. Elevate them by placing them on the cooling rack. Try and arrange them either using the S curve or L shape as this draws the eye to the donuts. It also adds movement to your image. Add fresh flowers and petals to the scene. Then add the cup of rose tea and sprinkle in some dried rose petals.

• TAKE THE PHOTOS. Set up the timer on your camera if you are taking a photo with your hands in the frame. If using a mobile phone then set the timer on that too.

• EDIT THE PHOTOS. Choose the photos you want to keep to edit. As you can see from my before and after shots the original shows the tripod legs. Sometimes if you haven’t got a tripod specifically suited for flat lays there you cannot get the perfect angle. I specifically used my cheaper smaller tripod as not everyone has the Manfrotto 055. As I knew I was going to crop my photos I made sure my hands were in the main part of the photo. Then I cropped it in Lightroom and then did the appropriate adjustments including lighting and colour grading adjustments.

Summary of how I styled the shoot

1. Plan and sketch the photoshoot
2. Buy the ingredients
3. Prepare the ingredients and preserve the fresh ingredients: make the icing, ice the donuts, make the “tea” using water and pink food colouring
4. Set up your camera equipment
5. Set up your backdrop
6. Add non perishable props to the scene: dried rose petals, tea cup
7. Add some layers: wired cooling rack, linen (if using)
8. Take a test shot
9. Add your donuts to the scene
10. Sprinkle fresh petals onto the backdrop
11. Turn on your camera’s timer (and flash if using)
12. Get into position if using your hands
13. Once you are happy with the photos save them onto your computer
14. Crop and edit into Lightroom
15. Show it off to the world on social media!

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