3 Camera Tricks for Your Next Video Call
You don’t need a fancy background, just good lighting.
In today’s world of remote meetings your first impression often happens through a screen. I’ve got your back when it comes to the photographs and quick video clips.
However, what happens when it’s a virtual client meeting or networking event? You want to appear professional. As a photographer, I’ll tell you that lighting will make such a difference in making you look like the professional that I know you are.
The Lighting-Confidence Connection
How many times have you been on a meeting where someone’s face is shadowed, dim, or completely blown out by too much backlight? That poor lighting doesn’t just make it harder for people to see you, it can also be distracting and even diminish that first impression. It can make you look less confident and credible.
When you’re well-lit, you feel better. You carry yourself differently. Good lighting invites connection. You’ll come across as being more authentic, warm, and professional.
Lighting on a Zoom or Google Meet is similar to what happens during a professional brand photography session. Often, I’ll carry an off-camera flash with me or will be watching for other ways to elevate my portraits with the available light. You don’t have to be fancy, it’s just about showing up in the best light.
I’ve got a few secrets of lighting to share with you before you meet with your next client. Lighting doesn’t have to be that complicated for a video call. It is as easy as a 5 minute fix.
The 5 Minute Video Call Lighting Fix – No Ring Lights Required
1. Find your space. Clean up extra clutter if you want. However, often backgrounds can be a conversation starter.
2. Add a light to your side. This might be a window or, as in my case, a table lamp. Bonus points if you can see the catch light in your eyes.
3. If you’re using a table lamp, consider swapping the bulbs out so it’s a cooler (bluer) toned light. (These are the higher numbers on lightbulbs. I prefer right around 5000-6500 Kelvin for video calls. It looks the best for skin tones. If you’re curious, these are the lightbulbs I use in my table lamp.) — Bonus tip from a dear client. When you aren’t wearing makeup, but want to look a little more polished, just add some darker pink or red lipstick.
Remember, an easy set up is all you need.
Here is the view of my setup when I’m talking to you on our next video call. (The desk lamp is the one I rescued from the trailer heading to the dump. It was painted in the 70s by my grandma Alice. I tightened the screws and swapped the bulb for an LED. NO RING LIGHTS FOR ME!)
Bonus tip:
Sometimes I see people looking down at their camera. Their noses and chins appear bigger because they are closer to the camera. Their eyes are more droopy because they’re looking down.
All you need to do is place your device so that the camera is at your eye level or above. This could be as simple as placing a laptop on top of a couple books. There are also a number of inexpensive tripods if you’re on a phone or tablet.
The elevated camera will make your eyes appear bigger and more open because you’ll be looking up at the camera. That in turn makes you look that much more energetic and engaged.
I’d love to see how all this goes for you!
Schedule a discovery call to see how we can apply this “best video call lighting” into creating compelling brand photography for your websites and socials. Just click the “Get in Touch” button and we’ll go from there.
You deserve to be seen clearly, confidently, and professionally wherever you show up.
