The last few months have proven that working remotely is possible. It’s not without its own set of difficulties, though: time management can be more difficult when no one’s closely keeping tabs on you, your work hours can easily bleed into your personal time, and video conferencing takes a lot getting used to. Luckily, it’s not that hard to give a fabulous impression, even when you’re miles away from the people you’re meeting with. Here are some tips on how you can look professional on camera.
Know Your Angles
For video calls, you’d want your camera to be at least eye level or a bit higher (but not too high, or you’ll end up craning your neck the whole time!). Positioning your camera at a low angle can result in an unflattering shot, with a higher chance of double chins, gaping nostrils, and puffy eye bags. Just stack a few thick books under your laptop–you should be able to notice the difference immediately.
Fix Your Lighting
Great lighting can make you look more refreshed, giving you a healthy aura. Simply facing the window during your video call can make you look more presentable. Another quick fix is to position a warm light source (like a lamp or a ring light) behind your computer setup to cast a diffused glow on your face. Avoid harsh fluorescent lighting and lights coming from behind you–this won’t do you any good. TLDR: face the light!
Make Sure You Look Presentable
It always helps to treat video calls like you would a regular face-to-face meeting. Whichever gender you identify as, make sure you look decent before going on camera. Fix your hair, blot your oily areas, dab some concealer on blemishes, and make sure you’re well-dressed. If you think you’re looking a bit pale, don’t hesitate to apply some lipstick or blush to look better on camera–keep it light, and the people watching you will just think you look that good all the time!
Mind Your Background
Human beings are naturally curious people, so expect that whoever’s on the other end of the call will be interested in your background. A plain light-colored background is your safest bet as it keeps the focus on you. At the very least, keep your background neat and clutter-free to give the impression that you’re an organized person. If nothing could be done about your background, check if your video call platform offers options for virtual backgrounds so you’d look more professional.
Pay Attention
Don’t give in to the temptation of doing other things while you’re on the call. The people on the line can see whether or not you’re paying attention, and you’d want to look alert and attentive. Avoid eating, fiddling with your phone, or going to other rooms in your home–these might seem harmless, but they might shine an unwanted spotlight on you.
Photo by Dylan Ferreira on Unsplash
Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.