As remote work and virtual meetings remain the norm, refreshing your video setup is essential for making a strong impression. With backgrounds cluttered and lighting overlooked, it's time to elevate your on-camera presence. As an Edge video director and animator with years of production experience, I've seen how small adjustments transform average calls into polished performances.
Here's my proven guide to becoming a video call pro:
Start with lighting, as it determines your optimal seating. Open blinds for natural light, positioning the primary source directly in front or at a 45-degree angle ahead—never behind you.
Your screen works well too; adjust brightness for even illumination, avoiding a ghostly effect. Glasses wearers: lower screen brightness and add side lighting to eliminate glare.
Aim for eye-level front-on shots only. Elevate your laptop with books or a stand to avoid unflattering low angles that distort your appearance.
Use built-in previews in Zoom, Webex, or Skype to check lighting, angle, and look beforehand—no mid-call tweaks. Once in the meeting, hide your self-view (e.g., Zoom's "Hide Personal View") to stay focused.
Apps without previews? Open Photo Booth or similar for a quick check.
Choose silence first, then test mics—headsets often outperform built-ins. Mute when not speaking, and use push-to-talk (like Zoom's spacebar) for courtesy.
Select a spot for sustained sitting or standing. Charge devices, keep water/coffee handy, and maintain professionalism—top marks on Room Rater await!
Updated January 17, 2022, 8:30 am ET: Originally published April 8, 2020, with minor updates.
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