HOW TO LOOK YOUR BEST ON ZOOM // by Global FEM Julia Hunt
How to Look Your Best on Zoom
Looking good on Zoom is simple once you have the right camera angle, lighting, background and personal styling set up, you can literally click into a meeting with a few minutes of preparation.
Camera Angle
Make sure you position the camera at or slightly above eye level.
If you are using the camera built into your monitor or laptop, simply slide a box or book under your computer. A tripod is the best way to get the proper angle for a cell phone. Most auxiliary cameras clip to the top of your monitor, so they may already be at the proper height.
What is showing behind you? You can either remove clutter OR sometimes a slight adjustment of where your camera is pointed will move unwanted items out of frame.
UMMM, how do I figure this out without being on a live call? Either set up and start your own meeting or use the video on your phone or computer.
Lighting
GET SOME LIGHT ON YOUR FACE FOR GOODNESS SAKE!!!!! Your presenter and fellow attendees want to see you and feel like they are interacting with a human, not an undercover officer hiding their identity on a crime TV show. Our eyes are better than any fancy camera, so it’s rare to see a backlit person in “real life.” Being able to see each other is a basic necessity to great communication and human connection.
Sit facing a window and avoid having one behind you. If this isn’t possible, draw the blinds or drapes closed on the one behind you and open the ones in front of you. Your camera’s auto exposure will expose for your face and then the background will go darker, making your face brighter.
Use as much natural light as you can. Open up all the shades and let it fill up the room! Lighting from directly above is unflattering.
No natural light? Find a small ring light and sit it on your desk behind your computer or camera. I have a 10.2 inch one that doubles as a cell phone tripod. Other lights are even made to clip to a shelf or your screen and light your face.
What to do about that cursed Glasses Glare! Simplest answer is don’t wear glasses. If you ARE wearing glasses, lighting should be slightly above and to the side at about 2:00 and/or 10:00. 45-degree angle also works. After you fix lighting and your monitor still reflects, try turning down the brightness on your screen.
Now let’s turn on your “touch up my appearance” setting. Click on ZOOM>PREFERENCES>VIDEO and check the box next to “touch up my appearance.
Background
A Simple Background is key. Get rid of clutter. In fact, if you are struggling with what to do, just go with a plain, empty wall or put up a screen behind you
Tell as Story with items you do choose to have in your background.
Lights in the background? Turn them on! If you have interesting lamps or architectural lighting in the room behind you, experiment. They can add pretty sparkle and interest, BUT make sure they don’t become so bright that they over-power the light on your face.
Zoom Backgrounds
Here’s how to change your background: click on Zoom. Then preferences> virtual background. Use a provided image or add your own.
Advantages: hides your background. This is my go-to for everyday meetings.
Quickly adds style and personality. I have several different colors and patterns so I can match whatever I’m wearing
Disadvantages:
Sometimes it does weird things. It doesn’t like it when I wear a ponytail and turns it into a helmet. People with shorter curly hair get a bubble around their head. Once a friend of mine turned on the background and I could see the background through her eyes! She looked like a demon!
Demonstrating with a prop is nearly impossible. If you have a demonstration, plan on a live background.
Clothes/Grooming
Traditional styling advice applies here, except you generally only have to worry about your waist up!
Clothes: Choose clothes that express your style and fit the occasion.
Grooming: No one has to know that you haven't showered in 3 days. Still. Drag a brush through your hair and throw on some lipstick.
Be comfortable! Don’t forget this!
Need more help? I offer coaching services on Zoom via (in person too if you are local). Click here for more information.
About Julie Mae Hunt // I'm Julia Mae Hunt, owner of Julia Mae Photography, LLC, specializing in Business Brand and Social Media photography. I help busy entrepreneurs who value the power of being authentic and genuine in their marketing while juggling life and balance and enjoying every moment. Together, we build beautiful photo libraries perfect for planning social media and marketing.
My own brand and style revolve around "Perfectly Imperfect."
My background and education are in newspaper photojournalism, commercial food and product photography and portraiture. Honestly, I couldn't have picked a better path to this specialization.
I am the mother of an angel baby (Henry), our cat (Tommy) and Craig and I have been married for 13 years. I took a leap of faith two years ago, quit my full-time job as a restaurant manager and began my journey as an entrepreneur. I love every minute of it.