📸 Getting Set Up!
đź–Ľ Preparing Your Digital Play Space
Being on camera presents some unique logistical challenges! Not to worry! We’ve got some suggestions for setting up your zoom playspace - and getting you ready to step center stage.
đź’ˇLights. . .
First, you need solid lighting - the grainy look is not it.
đź•ŻPersonal Lighting
Light your face up! The easiest tip to look good on camera is to properly illuminate what people care the most about - your face. Find a bright light source to point towards you, then adjust the angle and distance to fit your room.
Use a ring light, (best option - they’re cheap), a propped up flashlight (works in a pinch), or even a household lamp.
In bright rooms, a table lamp next to your camera directed at your face can work great.
In darker rooms, you may need to move the same light back a bit or dim it with material if it’s too bright. Thin cloths or layers of waxpaper can work for this. Don’t put cloths over incandescent bulbs (the kind that get hot) so you don’t burn anything.
Place lights in front of you, (behind the camera) or up to 45 degrees to either side. Lights from behind will mess with the aperture of the camera and make you look really dark.
🔆 General Lighting
Background lighting sets the mood. We like low, colored lights, but don’t feel you need to buy anything if you don’t have some already. You likely have everything you need to create a great setup!
Avoid bright white flood lighting. Dim the main room light. If you only have one central light, turn it off and play with other sources: Candles, small lamps, and colored light bulbs work great for this!
Get creative! Sexy colors include blue, purple, red, or small warm lights (ie. candles). LED strips take a bit of work to set up, but look awesome once they’re done. Strips look best when diffused, so this may take a bit of planning if your space doesn’t have recessed areas built in. I’ll link some options and an easy tutorial below.
🔗 Links for Lights
Ring Lights w Stand: Tall Version or Short Version; budget Mini Version
Candles: Battery Tea Lights or Battery Tall Candles
Colored Bulbs: Bright Controllable 2 Pack or Budget Controllable 4 Pack or Single Color 2 Packs
Flood Lights: Phone Controllable 2 Pack or Controllable 4 Pack or Single (these look great reflected against a wall or light material)
LED String Lights: Phone/Remote Controllable or Similar and Tutorial
📸 Camera. . .
Camera Setup
Set up on a sturdy platform. Set your phone or laptop on a sturdy surface (wobbles are not sexy) at least 2 ft in front of you.
Camera should be around eye-level. Shooting from a low angle is generally unflattering, so you’ll want the camera to be around eye level for the best shot. Use a set of books, a stool, or other objects to make sure your camera is straight on or angled slightly down.
Tip: If you’re joining from a bed, you’ll want to play with your lighting settings to ensure you’re nicely lit both when you’re close to the camera and further away. A second light can help with this. Try placing the second source to your side or a different front angle.
Distance You don’t need to buy a webcam (though some people do!), but getting some space between you and the computer helps a TON - it lets people see more than just your face, and close-ups actually do a weird fishbowl type thing to you.
Externals: You can try a wireless keyboard or a USB keyboard with a long cable if you’re using a laptop to give yourself some distance! Some of us also like external microphones or even headsets. . . .
🎬 Action!
Now that you’ve got your lighting and camera situated, let’s think about the other necessities for putting on a good show!
Eye Contact. Looking right into your camera makes eye contact with other people in the room - it feels personal and connected. Treat your camera like you’d treat the face of the person you’re interacting with!
Scenery. What else is in the shot? Are you shooting in the bedroom? At your desk? From the living room? You’ll want to clear out anything that you don’t want people to see, like messy laundry or the props you plan to surprise people with later. ;)
Backgrounds. Download SnapCam to use fun filters on video calls. https://snapcamera.snapchat.com/
What to wear: Anything that makes you feel sexy! Virtual parties are the PERFECT time to break out that item that looks amazing but you’d have a hard time wearing outside for a whole night! We also recommend layers that you can play with taking off and on.
Props: Have everything you’ll need for a party near you, but off camera. That includes as well as ensuring your props, like - out of camera but easy to access
>> You can also check out our forLove Zoom Party Guide Here! <<
