How to Create a Professional Backdrop for Video Calls

In today’s world of remote work, your video call backdrop is key. Video conferencing is now common. A well-chosen backdrop can greatly impact your professional image. With more people working from home, having a professional background is more important than ever.

It’s not just about looking good. 72% of professionals believe a professional backdrop is essential for executive presence. Your background can show your professionalism and confidence.

But, many people overlook their backdrop. This can lead to messy settings and clothes that don’t fit. It can also distract from your message and hurt your credibility.

This guide will show you how to create a professional video call backdrop. You’ll learn how to enhance your personal brand and make a great impression. Whether it’s a job interview, team meeting, or client call, you’ll be ready.

Why Your Background Matters for Video Calls

First impressions are key, even in video calls. We’ve all seen people with messy backgrounds. This can affect how we see them. Picking the right background can make you look better and avoid bad first impressions.

First Impressions and Professional Image

On a video call, everyone can see what’s behind you. This means your private space is open to others. A virtual background is essential for keeping your space private. It keeps your workspace and personal life hidden from view.

A clean and simple background keeps the focus on you. It makes sure you’re the main attraction, not the cat in the background.

Privacy and Minimizing Distractions

A professional background makes you look polished and confident.
It helps you keep your privacy and control your environment.
A tidy backdrop reduces distractions and keeps the spotlight on you.

Investing in a good backdrop shows you’re professional and competent. It makes a strong first impression on your colleagues, clients, or future employers.

Benefits of a Good Video Call Background

In today’s world of remote work, picking the right background for video calls is key. It shapes first impressions and shows your professionalism. A clean background can make a meeting feel more professional. On the other hand, a messy background can make people doubt your confidence and personal brand.

Convey Professionalism and Confidence

Just like wearing a suit for a big interview, a professional background boosts your confidence. It helps you look your best, even when you’re not in the same room. Leaders and high-achievers know that a clean background is important, even in virtual meetings.

Express Your Personal Brand

Choosing a background for video calls lets you show off your personal brand. You might pick a temperate forest backdrop if you love nature, or a seaside scene if you’re into the beach. There are many options if you know the basics of picking a good background.

Benefit	Impact
Conveys Professionalism	Establishes credibility and trustworthiness
Boosts Confidence	Allows you to present yourself in the best light
Expresses Personal Brand	Allows you to showcase your unique personality and interests

By picking a professional and personalized background for video calls, you show your confidence and personal brand. This makes a strong impression on your colleagues, clients, and interview panels.

Types of Backdrops for Video Conferencing

Choosing the right backdrop for video calls can really improve your experience. You have two main options: virtual backgrounds and home office backdrops.

Virtual Backgrounds

Virtual backgrounds are super practical and easy to change up. Most video call apps, like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, have lots of virtual backgrounds you can use. They let you look professional and consistent without any physical setup or upkeep.

Home Office Backgrounds

Home office backdrops, on the other hand, are real physical setups. They might need more work to keep up, but they can look very polished. They help you look professional and keep distractions away during calls.

Backdrop Type	Advantages	Disadvantages
Virtual Backgrounds	Highly customizable Easy to set up and use No physical setup required	May not look as realistic as a physical backdrop Potential compatibility issues with some video conferencing platforms
Home Office Backdrops	Provide a polished, realistic look Can be customized to your personal brand or style	Require daily maintenance and setup Less customizable than virtual backgrounds

Choosing between virtual and home office backdrops depends on your needs and preferences. Think about what each offers to find the best backdrop for your video calls.

Professional backdrop video calls home office

In today’s world of remote work and video calls, having a professional backdrop is key. It shows you’re serious and helps you focus. It also makes you look good on camera.

Whether you’re in a job interview, a team meeting, or talking to clients, your backdrop matters. A good one makes you look polished and professional, even from home.

Background Type	Pros	Cons
Virtual Backgrounds	Versatile and customizable No physical setup required Easily changeable	May require a green screen or good lighting Potential for technical issues
Home Office Backgrounds	Authentic and personal Can showcase your style and personality No additional setup required	May be subject to distractions or clutter Limited control over the environment

When picking a backdrop, think about what you want to show. Consider the type of call and your style. The right backdrop boosts your online image and makes you feel confident.

Choosing the Right Colors for Your Backdrop

Colors for your video call backdrop are key to your professional look. Stay away from busy patterns like stripes or polka dots. Also, avoid bright colors like orange, yellow, and red, as they can be distracting.

Go for neutral colors instead. They create a calm and polished atmosphere.

The top recommended background wall colors for video conferencing are:

Wood
Rich Navy
Heavy Cream
Seaspray
Flagstone

These professional colors are easy on the eyes. They help keep the focus on you, the speaker. Neutral tones like navy blue, light gray, and soft white are visually appealing and soothing during video calls.

When picking your backdrop colors, think about the lighting and camera position. Good lighting, natural or artificial, can make your background look better. The right camera angles also ensure a professional look.

The aim is to have a clean and organized backdrop. It should match your personal brand and keep the focus on you. By choosing the right neutral colors, you show professionalism and confidence in your virtual meetings.

Lighting Tips for Video Call Backgrounds

Lighting is key for a great video call backdrop. Avoid backlighting, which shadows your face and highlights the background. Instead, place the light in front of you for even, flattering light.

Avoid Backlighting

Backlighting, with the light behind you, can ruin your video quality. It makes you appear dark and your face is hidden. To fix this, place the light in front of you.

Three-Point and Two-Point Lighting

For top-notch lighting, try a three-point lighting setup. It has a fill light, key light, and backlight for depth. If that’s too much, a two-point setup with room light and a desk lamp works well too.

Lighting Setup	Description	Advantages
Three-Point Lighting	Consists of a fill light, key light, and backlight	Provides the most balanced, professional-looking lighting for video calls
Two-Point Lighting	Uses room light and a desk lamp	Easier to set up than three-point lighting, but delivers a polished look

Getting an LED ring light or panel light can make your video calls look sharp and professional. These lights let you adjust brightness and color to suit your skin and the mood of your calls.

Optimal Camera Positioning for Video Calls

The way you position your camera can greatly affect how others see you on video calls. Bad camera placement can be distracting and hurt your professional image. The best spot for your camera is at eye level or just a bit above it. For many, this means attaching your webcam to the top of your monitor.

If you use a laptop, consider propping it up with books or a laptop stand. This small change can make a big difference. It ensures your camera is at the right angle and avoids the “looking up your nose” issue. Using a phone camera from a low angle is also a no-go, as it’s not flattering.

Camera positioning is key for a polished, professional look on video calls.
Having your webcam at eye level or slightly above makes for more natural and engaging interactions.
A sturdy laptop stand can lift your camera and enhance your video call setup.

By adjusting your camera’s position, you’ll look your best, feel more confident, and make your video calls more productive and effective.

Things to Avoid in Your Video Call Backdrop

Video conferencing is now a key part of our communication. But, it’s important to think about your backdrop during these meetings. A messy or inappropriate backdrop can affect how others see you. It can make you seem less professional or credible.

Also, distracting or weird backdrops can take away from your message. This can make it harder to communicate effectively.

Messy or Inappropriate Backgrounds

Keeping your background tidy is key for a professional look during video calls. Don’t let a cluttered or messy area show behind you. It might look like you’re not organized or detail-oriented.

Instead, use a virtual background or make sure your space is clean and simple.

Also, pick a backdrop that fits the call’s context. For example, a job interview might need a more formal setting. But, a casual team meeting might allow for a more relaxed background. Think about the impression you want to make and choose your backdrop wisely.

Distracting or Weird Backdrops

Busy, bright, or complex backgrounds can be distracting. They can pull people’s attention away from what you’re saying. Choose a simple, neutral-toned backdrop that won’t compete with your face or what you’re presenting.

Avoid distracting backdrops with unusual or bizarre elements. They can make you seem unprofessional and hurt your credibility.

Backdrop Consideration	Recommended Approach
Messy or cluttered environment	Use a virtual background or ensure a tidy, organized physical workspace
Inappropriate backdrop for the context	Choose a backdrop that aligns with the formality or informality of the call
Distracting or weird backgrounds	Opt for a simple, neutral-toned backdrop that doesn’t compete with the conversation

By being careful with your video call backdrop, you can look polished and professional. This way, your message will be the main focus of the conversation.

Backdrop Ideas for Different Video Call Scenarios

The right video call backdrop can make a big difference. It affects how professional and engaging you seem. Whether it’s a job interview, a team meeting, or a client call, choose a backdrop that fits the situation.

Job Interviews

For a job interview, go for a simple, neutral backdrop. Think of a solid wall or a basic virtual background. It shows you’re professional and keeps the focus on you.

Avoid backdrops that are too busy or cluttered. They can take away from the impression you want to make.

Team Meetings

Team meetings are more relaxed, so you can have fun with your video call backdrop ideas. Pick something that shows your personality or matches your company’s brand. It helps connect with your team, even when you’re not in the same room.

Just make sure it’s not too distracting or unprofessional.

Client Calls

Client calls need a backdrop that looks neat and professional. A well-set-up home office or a virtual background with your company’s logo is great. It shows you’re detail-oriented and confident.

Choose a backdrop that helps you look polished and professional. It’s key to a successful call.

Remember, the best team meeting backdrop depends on the call’s purpose and formality. It helps you meet your goals.

Creating a Branded Background for Business

Boost your professional look and strengthen your brand by adding branded elements to your video call background. A custom virtual background with your logo or colors can make your business instantly recognizable. It helps clients and colleagues see your business as polished and unified.

This approach also removes distractions and ensures your online presence matches your brand. It makes a great impression in online meetings and video conferences.

Here are some tips for creating a branded video call backdrop:

Keep your branded video call backdrop consistent with your company’s branding, including colors and logos.
Make sure your company branding is clear and easy to spot, showing your professional side.
Use professional video conferencing backdrops that are simple and free from distractions, letting your brand stand out.

Feature	Benefit
16:9 aspect ratio	Preferred for creating branded virtual backgrounds
Premium Offices package	High resolution images, one-time purchase, no watermarks
25 Offices Package	25 high-resolution office images, one-time purchase, no watermarks
Compatible with Zoom, Teams, Skype	Virtual office backgrounds can be used across leading video conferencing platforms

Using a custom, branded video call backdrop can improve your company’s professional video conferencing image. It leaves a strong impression on your audience, reinforcing your company branding with every virtual meeting.

Styling Tips for Bookshelves as Backdrops

With more people working from home, having a good video call backdrop is key. Bookshelves are a great option. They can show off your style and show you’re an expert.

To make bookshelves look good for video calls, balance is important. Don’t just throw things on the shelves. Choose items that look good together. Use different sizes and colors to make it interesting. Keep the colors the same to look polished.

Put only a few items on each shelf.
Use the bottom shelves for things you don’t want to see. Put baskets or other items there.
Stack books in different ways to add depth.
Add personal touches like photos to make it yours.

By following these tips, you can make your bookshelves look great for video calls. It will impress everyone you talk to.

Backdrop Type	Advantages	Disadvantages
Virtual Backgrounds	Easy to change and customize	Can look fake if not done right
Physical Backdrops (e.g., bookshelves)	Looks natural and professional, shows your style	Takes more work to set up

Maintaining a Tidy Video Call Environment

Keeping your video call area tidy is key to looking professional, even from home. It’s not just about the backdrop. You should also declutter and organize your space. This means cleaning your desk and removing personal items that could be seen.

Keeping your area organized makes you feel more confident. It also makes you look polished and professional during virtual meetings. Good lighting, like placing the brightest light in front of you, improves your video call quality. Also, using microphones with noise-canceling technology and comfy furniture adds to the professionalism.

A clean and well-thought-out video call backdrop shows you’re professional and detail-oriented. This is very important when talking to clients, colleagues, or future employers. Your video call space is part of your personal brand. So, make sure it shows the standards and values you want to share.