Get Your Zoom Situation Lit
This is a #nomakeup #nofilter #selfie in front of my pretty backdrop.
I wanted to get on here and blog about the easy and inexpensive tips and tricks I have been using to look my best in all of my Zoom and FaceTime meetings and Instagram stories during quarantine. (Check out my design instastories @shanacdesigns and my beauty stories @betterbeautywithshana on Instagram!)
These things help me feel better about myself to look better, and maybe that could be the same for you, too!
If so, here’s what I’ve been doing:
Disclosure about the Amazon links in this article: I used to have an Amazon Associate’s account where I earned a tiny percentage as commission from each qualifying purchases, but I no longer have that set up. So, you can rest assured that I have no skin in the game whether you want to purchase these particular items or not. =)
Fun, Sparkly Backdrop on a Tension Rod!
I get more compliments on this setup than anything else. People LOVE the sparkly backdrop, it helps me stand out among the sea of other faces on a packed zoom gallery. It comes in multiple colors, and I can tell you that I ordered this a long while ago for another purpose, and am SO glad to have it. It’s fun to take photos in front of as well, including for my kids. And the tension rod allows me to move it around the house, as it can fit in different doorways and hallway areas. I enjoy being able to sit in front of my glamorous, sequined curtain and hide away the piles of dress-up clothes my kids played with behind me. I got the rose gold color and regret NOTHING. Even if you don’t have a ring light (see next item) sitting with natural sunlight in front of you with this behind you is a game changer!
And this tension rod is WONDERFUL. It’s so much better than the tiny, thin, pitiful tension rods of yesteryear. If you need a tension rod and you aren’t going to see it (because it’s not a good LOOKING tension rod, but a great functioning one) I would recommend this one.
Ring Light Adjustable Tripod with Remote Control!
Yes. I went there. The magic of a ring light can not be understated. All people look better when properly lit from the front. That’s why movie stars are so precious about what kind and what direction of light they will allow themselves to be photographed under. This ring light tripod is a gamechanger if you record yourself for Instagram, TikTok, You Tube, or any other platform. It’s a small investment with a BIG return. AND the remote works even if the ring light is off, so I often use my selfie stick/tripod with the remote from the ring light, in order to be able to record videos more effortlessly!
I purchased the 4 top ring lights on Amazon at the time, and this one blew the others away! It is nice and solid, easy to use, and the tripod is sturdy and super adjustable. Best of all, the phone holder is nice and secure, so I don’t worry about damaging my phone when I use it.
A Selfie Stick / Adjustable Tripod with Remote ALL IN ONE!
Again, yes, I am 36 years old. BUT hear me out, please! This little selfie stick is amazing. The little remote allows you to set up your whole family and take lots of posed and/or candid shots with ease AND without them being too aware of it. I got the most adorable series of photos of us in our matching Christmas pajamas. I never would have been able to BE IN THE PHOTOS WITH MY FAMILY if not for this little device. 100/100 MY FAVORITE THING. I treasure the family photos I have been taking with this thing - I even set it up at the dinner table sometimes to capture the hilarity that is dinner with two toddlers.
