Looking good on camera isn’t about investing in the right setup alone. It’s about the subtle tweaks too.

For example, moving the monstera plant behind you slightly to the left so it frames your background instead of your head. Or positioning your lamp correctly so that it doesn’t leave harsh shadows on your face — all these small tweaks make a big impact.

Not sure where to start to look good on video? We’ve got you covered with tips on how to look good on camera, whether you’re joining live or pre-recording videos to send later.

How to look good on camera when…

You could wing your on-camera look if it were just one or two times that you had to be on video. But with hybrid work here to stay and the video format only growing, you really can’t let your on-screen look compromise your confidence.

So let’s start with looking at some of the top video use cases and take you through quick and easy tips to look good on each of them.

You’re speaking at a virtual event 

Spend less time getting ready and more time testing your WiFi connection and setup.

Sean Doyle, Experiential Lead at Pinterest who co-hosted Vimeo’s Webinar Horror Stories advises, “Test everything in the real environment [including] your computer, your microphone, and WiFi.”

If you’re the one hosting a virtual event — not joining as a speaker alone — testing can make a significant difference in the success of your show. Do a dry run or event rehearsal with the guests a few days before the event itself. 

Marketing expert and Webinar Horror Stories host Katie Martell also recommends that as you prep guest speakers, you ask them assumed questions on top of a tech check with them.

Katie shares, “Ask your guests: ‘Is this where you’ll be calling in from?’ This will help you avoid horrible situations where guests are joining from their car or similar.”   

And to make sure you’re looking your best on the event, invest in live streaming equipment including a camera, lighting gear, and a mic.

Jay Clouse, the person behind Creator Science and host of the video podcast, Creative Elements, advises the same. “It may seem like overkill, but if you’re in a position to invest in professional equipment, it makes a huge difference. A DSLR camera as your webcam and effective lighting go a long, long way. There are great lighting tools that fit any size of space and if you can leave your equipment so that you don’t have to take it down when you’re not working, it’s a huge upgrade.”

Recommended reading

You’re sending a sales pitch over video 

Unlike live events, you have a lot more control on pre-recorded video sales pitches.

But to make sure you leave a lasting first impression on your prospects, it’s important to use a high-quality screen recorder that captures you and your screen for a personalized pitch. 

You’ll also want to distance yourself from your desktop’s camera just a bit. This is so that your face doesn’t appear bloated and broad. Don’t go too far away though as that would add a lot of distance between you and the mic, which compromises audio quality.

Lastly, don’t move your hands too much as that can distract viewers and take the spotlight from your message.

Pro tip!

Reduce the frustrating episodes of recording a video again and again and again (!) by using a persuasive short video script.

You’re training new hires with onboarding videos

Gone are the days of boring training sessions. With onboarding videos, you can personalize training material while keeping it human. Plus, new hires can watch the training videos at their own pace — even go back to them whenever needed.

To make sure you’re looking your best in these videos, aim for coming across as conversational, not perfect. Be careful though — conversational doesn’t mean you go off on tangents. Creating and loosely sticking to a script will help you create on-point videos that respect viewers’ time (and keep their attention and comprehension).

It’s also helpful to maintain a consistent setup for video series as it helps viewers focus on the content you’re delivering rather than the background. 

You want to look fresh in a hybrid work environment 

Get the lighting and audio right so your coworkers can hear you right and clearly see your face. You don’t need a fancy setup for this though. Here are a few tips: 

First, join your work video calls from a well-lit, quiet room. If there’s a window in the room, make sure it’s not behind you or to your side as that can leave shadows on your face on camera. Instead, always position yourself in front of a window so it lights your face properly.

Two, express your sense of style from the waist up. Add one element to your look that feels most like ‘you.’ This could be a necklace or a bandanna, for instance. But it’s best to avoid chunky bracelets as those hitting on your desk during the call will interfere with the audio.

Finally, work on your audio quality with small tweaks. Mute your mic when you aren’t speaking to prevent noises — like your keyboard clacking — from escaping into the virtual room. Close any windows to further reduce external noise. And to reduce echo from your noise, join from a carpeted room that has curtains.  

Consider these 5 elements any time you’re on video 

Whatever the nature of your online meet-up, keep the following tips in mind to look good on Zoom: 

1. Camera angle

A camera that’s too high makes it difficult for viewers to see your expressions. And if it’s too low, it can exaggerate your face’s angles, creating an unflattering look on screen.

The perfect position for your webcam then is just above your hairline — slightly angled downward.

If you’re using your desktop’s in-built camera, adjust its position using a laptop or monitor stand to set the positioning. Don’t have a desktop stand? Add some books under your monitor. 

2. Where to look 

Look directly in the camera to mimic IRL eye contact. Get distracted by your own image? Hide your own video in a Zoom call to make sure you can be fully present for your colleagues.  

3. Clothing and colors 

Wear colors that suit your skin tone and hair color. Dark colors such as deep purple and gray look good on people with light skin tone, for example. The inverse is true for dark skin-toned people.

You’ll also want to avoid patterns, wrinkled clothes, and big logos as those can come across as distracting on camera.

Also make sure the color you choose contrasts with the background. This helps you stand out against the background instead of showing as a floating head on camera.

One last thing to remember here: you want your message to stand out, not your outfit. So pick something that represents your brand. If you’re a fitness instructor, for example, you’ll want to wear shorts and a t-shirt. 

4. Lighting

We’ve already talked about positioning yourself in front of a window for optimal lighting. But if you’re joining from another time zone or don’t have a window in the room you’re recording videos from, position a lamp in front of you.

Place this lamp behind the camera so that it throws sufficient light on your face — all while not flooding the camera lens with too much light.

You also don’t want to use overhead lighting because that leaves sharp shadows on your face on video.

The ideal lighting setup for a Zoom call is having two light sources — both positioned behind the camera and facing each other from opposite angles to fill in your face from both the sides.

If you’re hosting a live event or recording a video series, consider creating a 3-point lighting setup.  

5. Your background

The most important tip here is being mindful of how busy your background is. You don’t want it to be cluttered or untidy as that can get distracting for viewers. Instead, strive for a simple décor to add visual interest.

For example, add plants, a colorful throw, or books to your background. If you want to use the classic full bookshelf background, make sure the shelves are neatly arranged.

Lastly, check where your plant or any other background item sits in the frame. After all, you wouldn’t want it to give you a strange hairdo.

Final takeaways

TL;DR? Start with getting the basics right for recording videos or joining Zoom calls:

  • Position your camera at eye-level
  • Position yourself in front of the window
  • Join from a quiet, well-carpeted room
  • Create a ‘less is more,’ clutter-free, tidy background
  • Look in the camera, not at yourself
  • Wear neutral colors that suit your complexion and contrast with the background

Ready to look great and be confident on your video calls?

When you’re ready to level up or if you’re already doing virtual events, create a dedicated studio for a consistent setup. Use the right video conferencing equipment (no, you don’t need a big budget for that). And don’t forget to invest in a reliable video streaming software that has your back at all times.

Originally published on October 14, 2022 and updated September 6, 2023.