7 Tips to Look Your Best in Online Meetings

We are well into the world of online meetings.  Have you noticed how some folks look like they’re ready for business?

Here are 7 tips to look your best in online meetings:

1.  Lighting.  Ensure the light is on your face.  Having light to the front and side of your face is even better.  If you sit in front of a window, you’ll simply be a silhouette.  This is great if you want to roll out of bed for that meeting, but you’ll have more impact as a professional when you are seen.  If this location is your only option, close the blinds.
2. Camera Position.  Set your camera so it is positioned slightly above your face.  When you are looking up at the camera, it opens your eyes a bit and reduces any “extra” chin.  This position is also more flattering than an up your neck to chin and nostril shot.  If you use a desktop computer, set the camera on top of the screen.  If you’re using a portable computer at your desk, set the computer on top of a stack of books or a box to raise it up.
3. Position Yourself.  Once you’ve positioned your camera location, sit back.  Position yourself so you are seen with your head and shoulders.  We’ve all seen the eyes and nose to top of head and ceiling shot.
4. Sit up.  Whatever is closest to the camera will appear the largest.  Most likely you’d rather that not be your stomach to chest, up to your neck, to finally a little face.
5. Background.  Consider what’s going on behind you.  People walking around, making tea, using the restroom (!) can be distracting.  Do your best to position your computer so there is something still and pleasant for your meeting participants to look at.  Even if that means hanging a sheet behind you to hide that messy bedroom you converted to your office.
6. Dress for Work.  Most of us would not go into work in our pajamas and not groomed.  Get up, take a shower, do your usual grooming and get dressed …  at least to point where you’re seen.  OK, yoga pants and sweats will still work on the bottom half.
7. Relax with Kids.  You look your best when you’re relaxed.  We all know there may be kids with some meeting participants.  If you are a parent of small children, do your best to prepare them before the meeting.  Start them in an activity that they can work on themselves.  Let them know you can’t play now but will later.  If they come into camera view with you, realize it’s life right now.  Enjoy experiencing this personal side of you and your coworkers.

Those who are new to working from home are experiencing an adventure in balancing work and home life.  It’s good to realize that how you are viewed online can represent how professionally you are doing your job.  Let me know if these tips help you!

 

I am a Southern California based Portrait, Commercial and Fine Art Photographer who sees the world a bit differently.

 

You can view more of my work here
DonnaEdmanPhotography.com
DECommercialPhotography.com

If you’d like to book a project, I’d be honored > Contact Me

Relaxing Colors ~ Pink

In this time of chaos, let’s find ways to positively affect our mood.  Color can do just that!

In recent blogs, we looked at blue and green.  Today, let’s look at PINK.  Here are a few of my fine art pieces as examples.

Pink is color that promotes tranquility and peace. In fact, Feng Shui believes pink soothes various energies in a room and keep them understated. Pink calms and reassures our emotional energies.

Although pink is considered a feminine color, commonly seen in a baby girl’s nursery room, the right shade of pink can look beautiful in just about any room.

At home or in the work place, pink calms and reassures our emotional energies.

Is this a good time to add colorful artwork to your home or office?
Just let me know!  Contact Donna

 

I am a Southern California based Portrait, Commercial and Fine Art Photographer who sees the world a bit differently.

 

You can view more of my work here > Donna Edman Photography.
If you’d like to book a session, I’d be honored > Contact Me.

Together, we can Capture YOUR Life, One Image at a Time!

Life, Love and Memories

Let’s make history

A picture might be worth a thousand words, but a few well-chosen sentences can turn a simple photograph into a living family history.

 

Memories are forever

Legacy Books are way of preserving the past. If your old family photos are torn or a bit worn, they can be re-photographed. By professionally printing and adding photos that are languishing in shoe boxes and your smart phone, we can turn a scattered timeline into a beautifully bound book that will be treasured and passed down to future generations.

 

If you have stories associated with the people and treasures, you can hand write messages identifying your loved ones or add vintage pieces or other mementos to help tell the story. Was your uncle in the armed forces? Why not use his dog tags, other medals and memorabilia to bring that time to life.

 

Don’t know much about history

If you walked through you parent’s house, would you know which items they were attached to? And I’m not talking just about what’s considered valuable. I’m talking about their collections and personal items; things that meant something to them.

 

It’s important to preserve the memories attributed to these seemingly worthless treasures, no matter how little they may be worth from the world’s point of view.

 

Here are some ideas on how to “capture” time:

 

• Visit your parents and ask them about their treasures and the stories behind them.
• Make an appointment for a family photo session.
• Bring the treasures, old photos and written sentiments you would like included to be used as props during your portrait session, and to be use in your Legacy Book.
• We’ll assemble these treasures into a cherished family heirloom.

 

All buttoned up

After my mother passed, I visited her home and noticed a jar of buttons sitting on the shelf. My mother collected buttons of all shapes, colors, and sizes. When we children lost a button from our clothing, our mom always had the perfect replacement in her jar.

 

There’s no monetary value to these buttons and nowadays clothing is easily replaceable, and we don’t really need to sew on buttons very often.

 

Well, I took that jar of buttons home with me and it now sits on one of my shelves. When I look at it in passing, I’m reminded of my mother and how she took good care of us.  A smile comes to my face each time.

 

Now, I can’t put a whole Mason jar of buttons in a memory book, but I can take a picture of it and set it next to a photograph of my mother. By doing this I not only get to see my beautiful mother, but I’m reminded of the joy her collection brought to her.

 

A well-crafted Legacy Book will give you moments of pleasure when remembering those special and perfect days spent with your loved ones. So, for the next generation, leave your legacy by collecting, identifying, and organizing those images hidden in a shoebox.

Your family will thank you for the heirloom.

I am a Southern California based Portrait, Commercial and Fine Art Photographer who sees the world a bit differently.

 

You can view more of my work here > Donna Edman Photography.
If you’d like to book a session, I’d be honored > Contact Me.