In the world of fashion and apparel photography, how you present your products can make or break your brand’s success. Two of the most popular techniques for showcasing clothing are ghost mannequin photography and flat lay photography. Both methods have unique advantages and are suited to different goals.
Let’s break down the differences, benefits, and ideal use cases to help you decide—and explore how professional editing can elevate either choice.
For showcasing clothing in your product catalog, ghost mannequin photography is better for highlighting the garment’s shape and fit, which helps customers imagine how it will look when worn. On the other hand, flat lay photography highlights details, has lower processing costs, and can be styled for social media posts. Most luxury brands use this technique for social promotion, and flat lay photography could be a great choice for kids’ clothing.
What is Ghost Mannequin Photography?
Ghost mannequin photography, also known as invisible mannequin photography, is a technique where clothing is photographed on a mannequin and then edited to remove the mannequin, creating a 3D, hollowed-out effect. The result? A lifelike representation of how the garment looks when worn, without the cost or logistics of a live model, and highlighting its shape, fit, and details.
In the example image, you can see that the left side shows ghost mannequin photography, while the right side displays the final edited output. The image looks polished and creates a 3D hollowed-out effect. When you showcase your products in this way and organize your catalog with consistent height and width for every product image, your shop will look truly professional and visually appealing.
This technique is commonly used to create commercial images of T-shirts, shirts, cardigans, jackets, coats, jeans, trousers, shorts, underwear, and socks.
What is Flat Lay Photography?
Flat lay photography, also known as tabletop photography, is a technique that involves laying garments flat on a surface or table and photographing them from above. Additionally, there are automated flat lay photography machines, such as those from StyleShoots and other companies, which can help produce professional-quality e-commerce images.
In the example image, you can see the unedited image on the left side and the edited image on the right side. Both look good, but the edited one is best for a web catalog as it is free of wrinkles. The unedited flat lay photography still has its charm, and many retailers opt for basic retouching before uploading images to their websites, which gives them a more natural look.
Ghost Mannequin vs. Flat Lay: A Comparison
- Offers a 3D view, showing the shape, fit, and drape of the garment as if it’s being worn.
- Professional and clean, ideal for e-commerce.
- Requires a mannequin, precise shooting angles, and skilled post-production to remove the mannequin seamlessly.
- Typically more expensive due to editing work and mannequin.
- E-commerce product pages and catalogs.
- Shows the garment in a relaxed. Provides a 2D, top-down perspective, focusing on the layout and surface details.
- Creative, lifestyle-oriented and also for e-commerce.
- Simpler to shoot—just arrange and snap—but styling and lighting still need attention for a polished look.Minimal editing needed.
- Generally more affordable.
- Used for Social media, lookbooks, catalogs, and blogs.
When to Choose Ghost Mannequin Photography?
If your brand specializes in tailored garments like blazers, dresses, or formal wear, ghost mannequin photography is the way to go. It showcases the fit, seams, and darts, helping customers visualize how the clothing will look when worn.
Ghost mannequin images create a clean, consistent look for product pages, which is essential for building trust and driving sales. Many brands use a combination of both techniques to cater to different needs
When to Choose Flat Lay Photography?
Flat lay photography works well for casual wear like t-shirts, sweaters, and loungewear, where the focus is on comfort and style rather than structure. This technique is also widely applied to e-commerce shops.
Flat lay images are highly shareable and perform well on platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, where creativity and aesthetics matter. You can also use it for your e-commerce product catalogs.
Final Thoughts
Both ghost mannequin and flat lay photography have their place in the fashion industry. The best choice for your brand depends on your products, marketing goals, and target audience. If you need help editing flat lay photography or ghost mannequin images,
At Hello Edits, we specialize in ghost mannequin and flat lay photography editing, ensuring your products look their best. Contact us today to learn how we can help elevate your brand’s visual storytelling!
