Thanks for all the tips & confidence boosts! I will turn the overhead light off, or put it on extremely low if it’s completely overcast outside and move the side lamp to behind the screen/ camera. And I have a bit more studying to do!

A couple of items that have been very helpful for me:

- an adjustable laptop stand. I use this all the time, not just for zoom. My husband took over the first one and I ordered one just for me. It would not be an exaggeration to say it’s been life changing!

Adjustable Laptop Stand,Suturun Portable Laptop Computer Stand Rriser&Multi-Angle Stand with Heat-Vent to Elevate Laptop Holder for Mac,Notebook,Lenov https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088.....f7jeK6mImI

- And something like this led lamp, which I bought for working on art project and jigsaw puzzles, but it’s also great for throwing a bit of warm light on my face for zoom meetings. The exact one I got isn’t available anymore, but it’s dimmable and has varying color warmth settings. Slightly warm and not too bright light directed at your face can be very helpful in looking polished and awake in meetings.

LED Desk Lamp, Eye-Caring Table Lamps, Natural Light Protects Eyes, 5 Modes, 10 Brightness Levels, Touch Control, Adjustable Table lamp with USB Charging Port, Auto Timer 30 / 60min, White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086.....WD05T99FTD

Good luck!

Latest setup--almost go time. Hair & makeup are final (I think)

Don’t forget shirt Good luck

Hahaha—yes, I do need a shirt! Also pants. I don’t usually spill things on myself, but today would be the day I did, so I’ll put them on when I’m done eating.

Welp, I survived. Even kept my clothes clean. Everything else remains to be seen. The people I was speaking with all had plain white walls, occasionally with a ceiling lamp or similar, in the background. Nothing showy and no one was stuck in a digital cat costume.

I'm late but wanted to say, good luck, and you got good advice! Glad you survived.

It was a good choice to put your hair up … and remove the tea cup that was in the background, lol.

Ok, it’s funny … I don’t care that little things bother me, but they do bother me. In the sense that I notice and they make me think thoughts. I had a zoom with this nutritionist last week. But her place was a mess and she said ‘tofu’ to me and that did make me label her as an old hippie and now I believe every meal she eats involves stir fry bell pepper and onions, even tho she didn’t mention those. Also: she asked me if I was a professor because behind me was a wall of books and a woodcut print over them… I once has movers declare I was an artist because of the amount of books I had… so… anyways, glad you survived!