I recently got a new laptop, and it has the little webcam thingie embedded in the frame around the display. And oh what an unflattering image it creates! When I angle the screen for best productivity, I end up shooting video from below my chin. This not only gives a nice up-the-nose perspective to anyone who might be on the other end, it also widens out my jowls and narrows my eyes and forehead.

I feel like I need a ticker to scroll across the lower third: Not this ugly IRL.

So, for those of you who have wanted to play with webcams as part of your sexual exploration or working on improving your body image, I amend all my previous writing about webcams to add this suggestion: invest in a good webcam or video camera that you can plug in and use separately from the integrated cam.

The on-board cam is great when in stealth mode (coffee shop, airport, office) chatting with people I already know (because, of course, they know I’m pretty IRL, LOL). But as a first impression in an adult cam room? No thanks!

This is the one I use: