Put your camera at eye level
A laptop on a desk or on your lap looks up at you. People on the call see your chin, your nostrils and the ceiling. It's a common problem on calls, and an easy one to fix.
Laptop on the desk
Camera at eye levelWhy it matters
When a camera looks up at you, you seem to be looking down at everyone. It’s unflattering, and it feels slightly off to the people watching, even if they can’t say why. With the camera level with your eyes, you look like you’re across the table from them.
Free fix: a stack of books
Put your laptop on books, a box or a shelf until the camera, at the top of the screen, is level with your eyes. Sit about an arm’s length away.
Typing on a raised laptop is awkward, though, and every keystroke makes the camera wobble. That’s fine for a call where you mostly talk.
Better fix: a laptop stand, plus a keyboard and mouse
A stand holds the laptop at the right height every day, without the book pile. Add a separate keyboard and mouse and the camera stays still while you type. You also stop hunching over a low screen all day, which your neck will thank you for.
Expect to pay about $30 for a basic stand and about $30 for a simple keyboard and mouse. A basic stand is fine as long as it gets the camera up to eye level.
Using a desktop monitor with a webcam on top?
The same rule applies: aim for the camera roughly level with your eyes. On a big monitor it often ends up a little above them, which is fine. If it’s well above, lower the monitor a bit.