3 Light Tricks for Your Next Video Call
You Don’t Need a Ring Light. You Just Need Good Light.
Your first impression often happens through a screen these days — and bad lighting is quietly sabotaging people who are otherwise completely prepared.
I’m a photographer, so I notice this stuff. And I want to help.
When someone’s face is shadowed, blown out, or lit from below like they’re about to tell a ghost story, it’s distracting. It makes it harder to connect with them — and harder for them to come across as the capable, credible person they actually are. Lighting affects how confident and present you appear, even when you feel both of those things.
The good news? A five-minute fix is genuinely all you need.
The 5-Minute Video Call Lighting Fix
1. Find your space.
A little background clutter is fine — honestly, it can be a conversation starter. Just clear what feels chaotic to you.
2. Place a light source to your side.
A window works beautifully. So does a table lamp. You’re looking for soft, directional light that lands on your face — not behind you, not above you. Bonus: if you can see a little catch light in your eyes, you’re in the sweet spot.
3. If you’re using a lamp, swap the bulb.
Cooler, bluer-toned bulbs (around 5000–6500 Kelvin) read best on camera for skin tones. Higher numbers on the packaging = cooler light. I use LED bulbs in that range in a lamp I rescued from a trailer headed to the dump — painted in the 70s by my grandma Alice. No ring lights in this house.
Click through to see the difference.
(Me – no makeup, casual call – just as I’ll appear on a virtual call with you.)
Before adding any light.
Step 2 – Add a side light, except this is a bit too warm. While warm light is incredibly pretty at night in person, you’ll appear dark and too yellow for a daytime video call.
Step 3 – I switched the light bulb to a cooler toned light. I have an easy switch right on the actual LED bulb.
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!)
No makeup? No problem:
Wearing less makeup and want to look more polished anyway? A darker pink or red lip goes a long way on camera. (Credit to a wonderful client for teaching me that one.)
And One More Easy Tip: Raise Your Camera
If your laptop or phone is sitting flat on your desk, your camera is probably looking up at you — which means your chin and nose are closer to the lens than your eyes are. It’s not your best angle, and it reads as less engaged.
Prop your device up so the camera is at eye level or just above. A couple of books works fine. A small tripod if you’re on your phone. When you’re looking slightly up at the camera, your eyes appear more open, and you look more energetic and present. Small shift, real difference.
You deserve to show up clearly — on a video call, in your brand photography, everywhere.
If you want to talk about how good light translates into compelling photos for your website and socials, I’d love that conversation.