Your camera sees everything your coworkers feel—posture, eye contact, energy. The good news is that small ergonomic tweaks can transform how you look and sound on Zoom, Teams or Meet. With a height-adjustable standing desk, you can create a repeatable “call preset” that lifts your presence, keeps your body comfortable and protects focus in your home office.

Why posture and placement beat filters Filters and virtual backgrounds can polish an image, but nothing beats neutral posture, honest eye line and soft, even light. An ergonomic setup removes strain from your neck and shoulders so you can stay expressive without fidgeting. Build a video-call workflow around four elements: camera height, desk height, lighting and background.

Start with a stable, height-adjustable base A quiet, electric standing desk makes posture changes quick and precise. Save two core memory presets—Sit and Stand—then add a “Call” preset that sits a hair higher than your general stand height. That extra half inch opens your chest for steadier breath and better projection without lifting shoulders. Use an anti-fatigue mat so you can stand comfortably for short segments.

Camera height and angle that flatter Your lens should sit slightly above eye level and angle down a touch. This keeps your chin neutral, avoids nostril shots and reads as natural eye contact.

• If you use a laptop, do not raise the whole desk to fix a low camera. Elevate the laptop or use a small camera arm above your primary monitor, then type on an external keyboard and mouse at ergonomic desk height.

• Keep the camera 20 to 30 inches away. Closer exaggerates features; farther flattens the image and picks up more clutter.

• Center your eyes in the top third of the frame. If you wear progressives, drop the monitor a half inch or tilt it slightly so you do not crane your neck.

The ergonomic “call preset” Program your electric standing desk for on-camera comfort.

• Height: A touch higher than your general stand preset to support breath and posture.

• Elbows and wrists: Maintain neutral wrists at the keyboard. If shoulders creep up, lower the surface a quarter inch and try again.

• Feet and knees: Soft knees on a supportive mat. Subtle weight shifts reduce back and hip tension and keep you animated.

Light that works with faces, not against them Lighting is the biggest upgrade most people can make, and it is simple.

• Key light: A soft, dimmable light 30 to 45 degrees off-center, slightly above eye line. Aim for a broad beam that wraps the face without glare.

• Fill light: A weaker light on the opposite side or a white wall that bounces your key to soften shadows.

• Back or hair light (optional): A small light behind and above you separates you from the background.

• Bias light for screens: A gentle backlight behind the monitor reduces contrast and eye strain, which helps your posture stay upright.

• Daylight control: Place your standing desk perpendicular to windows. Use sheer shades to tame hard sunlight that causes squinting and forward head posture.

Frame a background that looks intentional A calm backdrop reads as professional and lets your face carry the call.

• Distance: Leave 2 to 4 feet between you and the background to avoid harsh shadows.

• Content: One shelf, one plant, one framed print. Keep lines level and avoid visual noise.

• Color and finish: Matte beats glossy. Avoid bright, saturated objects that steal the eye.

• Cable management: Use a tray, clips and sleeves so no cords dangle into frame. Visual order lowers cognitive load for you and your audience.

Sound matters as much as sight Clear audio buys you attention and credibility.

• Mic placement: A cardioid microphone on a boom arm clamped near the desk’s centerline keeps weight over the legs and reduces wobble when the desk moves. Position it 6 to 10 inches from your mouth, slightly off-axis to dodge plosives.

• Isolation: Soft mats, felt pads on chair feet and a rug lower room echo. Close a door and turn off nearby fans during calls.

• Cable slack: Create gentle service loops for mic and camera lines so sit-stand motion never yanks a port midmeeting.

A simple pre-call checklist

• Tap your Call preset on the keypad.

• Confirm the monitor’s top third meets your eye line; camera just above it.

• Turn on key and fill lights; check glasses glare.

• Angle the chair 90 degrees so your calves do not bump it when you stand.

• Mute notifications; tidy the visible desktop zone.

Troubleshooting common issues

• “I look tired and flat.” Add a soft key light and a weaker fill. Lower the monitor a touch to avoid chin lift and strain.

• “Glare on glasses.” Raise the key light higher, angle it down, and reduce brightness. Tilt your frames slightly if needed.

• “Up-the-nose camera.” Mount the camera above the display and angle it down. Keep the desk at ergonomic height for your hands.

• “Wobbly image at full height.” Tighten frame and monitor arm fasteners. Bring the monitor closer to the desk’s centerline and lower it by a half inch to reduce leverage.

• “Audio booms when I type.” Move the mic off-axis, use a shock mount and a desk pad to damp thumps. Consider push-to-talk during heavy typing.

Build a movement rhythm around your calendar Use posture to signal context.

• Stand for intros, presentations and Q&A to boost energy.

• Sit for long listening segments or detailed note-taking.

• Between calls, switch to your Type preset for deep work. Frequent changes are the real ergonomic benefit of a standing desk.

The bottom line On-camera presence is a product of small, repeatable choices. Use an electric standing desk to lock in a reliable Call preset, mount the camera just above eye line, and light your face with soft, directional light. Keep wrists neutral and cables calm. When movement is effortless and posture is honest, you look confident—because you feel comfortable.

Call to action Ready to create a call-ready workstation? Explore Vvenace electric standing desks and ergonomic accessories:

• Electric Standing Desk Adjustable Height: https://vvenace.com/products/electric-standing-desk-adjustable-height_?utm_source=copyToPasteBoard&utm_medium=product-links&utm_content=web

• Shop more at Vvenace: https://vvenace.com/