Resources

Lighting

  • Illuminate your face.  It should be the brightest thing in the frame.  Make sure you're not back lit.
  • Face a window for flattering, indirect, natural light. 
  • Turn off any and all overhead lights. 
  • Use lamps to eliminate any shadows.  I recommend the Tao Tronics LED Desk Lamp.

Make-Up

  • Webcams eat lips and eyebrows. Use make-up to make your facial expressions visible.
  • My glam kit includes under-eye concealer, eye liner, mascara, eyebrow pencil, cream blush, and a bold red lipstick. 

Podium Kit

  • If you drink on-camera, drink water from a clear glass. Mugs and flasks keep your viewers guessing.  Take a sip to gather your thoughts or take a breath.
  • Keep a mirror within arms' reach. 
  • Use a lint roller to remove crumbs, lint, cat hair, etc.  What is invisible across a conference table may show up on camera.
  • Blot anything that shines.  Bald head?  Shiny earlobes? I use oil absorbing sheets.  Or the sticky part of a Post-it note. Or a toilet seat cover. Or brown napkins from that coffee shop.
  • Remove any redness from your eyes with LUMIFY eyedrops.
  • Clean your eyeglasses and webcam lens. Clean eyeglasses = Fewer distracting smudges.  Clean webcam lens = Better video quality.  I keep CareTouch Lens & Screen Cleaning Wipes handy.
  • If you have eyebrows, brush them. And if you have particularly unruly eyebrows, swipe on a clear brow mascara to keep them in place.
  • Running hot?  Use a desktop fan, off-camera.  But make sure the sound is not picked up by your microphone.
  • Prone to sweat?  Absorb underarm sweat by sticking maxipads in the armpits of your clothes.

Wardrobe

  • Jewel tones are universally flattering.
  • Jewelry may distract from your message.
  • Avoid flesh tones, white, and black.  Avoid shiny material and fabrics with small patterns.
  • Blue business shirts are more flattering than white shirts.
  • Your posture communicates. Sit up straight.  Scoot your bottom into the back of your chair. Point your toes in the direction of your webcam.
  • "Tailor" your clothes for the camera.  Make DIY alterations with binder clips, clothespins, and duct tape.
  • Over-smile.

Set Design  

  • If you use a virtual background, use a greenscreen.  I use the Webaround 56" Big Shot greenscreen (affiliate link).  Choose static contextually-relevant virtual backgrounds.  Moving images may trigger migraines.  Download free virtual backgrounds from my collections.
  • Or stage your background.  Don't film a hostage video.  Shoot into a corner. Minimize motion. Avoid doors and windows.  Frame your shot so that the ceiling is not visible.  

Webcam

  • Set up your webcam at eye-level and at arms' length.  Center yourself horizontally in the frame.  Leave yourself four fingers of headspace. 
  • I use a Logitech Brio 4K HDR Webcam.
  • Whatever you're using, make sure the lens is clean.
  • Make eye-contact with your webcam.  Draw eyes on a sticky note and stick it above the lens.
  • Hide your self-view in order to focus on your audience.
  • Presenting slides?  I use a PlexiCam and a Logitech r400 Wireless Presentation Remote.   

Sound

Reviewsview all

Very relatable, intuitive content. I would recommend Elisabeth anyday!

Wow. Great presentation. And thank you so much for promoting content creators and using lots of examples of people of color! We need more of this.

I thought it was fabulous. One of the best presentations of this type I've EVER seen. I am always on the lookout for managing lighting with eyeglasses, avoiding reflection.

What may seem like “common sense” may not be so obvious to everyone so it’s really helpful to have you explain the basics to help us be better prepared for our Zoom sessions.

I appreciate that most of the tips would work for Zoom or other web conferencing platforms.

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