I don't really understand the issue. The space is neat, organized, and tasteful. It's fine for a Zoom background. But if he needs a profile picture for the company website, there are plenty of people out there who do professional headshots. They are best, IMO, with a plain background. Does he have a LinkedIn profile picture? Use that or get another one taken professionally for this purpose.

Is his work related to history or the military in some way? If not, then neutral art on the center wall would be the way to shift things from a "collections" room to a home office which is an extension of his work setting after all.

Diploma should definitely go unless doctorate level and even then it shouldn't be front and center as the focal point of the room. Same for any weaponry-it's an office.

The book cases look a little full, but not overflowing though all books should only have spines visible so no "highlighting" certain books by showcasing the cover.

The blue room color is pleasing and the furniture is fine. Maybe try to incorporate blue in the art with a black frame.

it's his office, he likes his stuff... it's fine. get a professional photo taken.

@tlynn1960 Retired from 30 years active duty military, with the last years as a strategist. So larger civilan companies are interested in what his years of experience can bring to their business. They know when they hire him that he's a retired Colonel, not only because of his bio, but obviously because of the items that can be see behind him in a zoom call. I just feel that there are so many books that it looks messy and overflowing to the point that his memoribilia gets lost and is crammed into the space. For example the two photos on top of the left bookcase are special photos, but they seem randomly placed, because there is no room for them anywhere else. I appreciate your comments about the book spines. Those without covers are antiques.. It would be easiest to remove them for cohesiveness, but they are special collections so it is not an option he would probably jump on.

@Sabrina Alfin Interiors This particular company wants a photo of him in the exact setting where he is in during the Zoom conversation; as if I were standing in the room with him while he was on his laptop. During a zoom call you're "zoomed" in on the person and a small section of the surroundings. However, this picture will display the entire background. I think of how a house is staged when it is for sale. I'm thinking about staging his bookcase, but I'm not sure how. The photo is not meant to look like the headshots you often see on Linked in, but rather a reflection of how he can be engaged with an audience, whether 5 or 50 people during a zoom call. Even if a professional came to the house, I still feel the bookcase needs to be staged. I apologize if I just confused my original inquiry even more. Thank you for your input.

He's a grown man. Let him decide what to do for this shot.

You could help by snapping various photos of him in this environment and letting him decide how he wants to be presented. I don't see where the laptop is located, but expect that most of the background won't be visible.

Honestly, I think his bookcases and the entire scene are perfectly fine. It's all neat, the bookcases have a relatively pleasing arrangement and are interspersed with a few knick-knacks. It's clear he has a military background and that's what they want...so I'm not seeing any problems.

That may be because I now spend my life on zoom and various video calls, and you would not believe the things I've seen pop up in allegedly professional meetings with allegedly professional people. What you have is fine, IMO....

Take a few test photos during a practice Zoom call. Then he can see what he wants in the picture. A test Zoom call photo can show things that are easy to fix such as a flag that drags on the floor or a cobweb on the helmet in the corner. He can also test the lighting to see if his calls would benefit from a good ring light.

If this is just for a photo and not permanently, your hubby shouldn't really care. I would grab about half the books off the shelves and intersperse the remaining books with some of the momentos (the photographs, helmet, etc.) so that there is nothing on top of the bookcases or the shorter cabinet in the middle. Once the picture is taken, he can move the items back.

Set the Zoom background to "blur" for the headshot and then turn it off after that. I think it looks fine and he's (rightly) proud of his service and collections.

The business photo needs to include books?

Maybe a large shadow box with his memorabilia and the American flag would be enough of a background.

" I just feel that there are so many books that it looks messy and overflowing to the point that his memoribilia gets lost and is crammed into the space. "

You notice who has the issue with it by the first word, "I", not the 30 year retired military colonel. It looks fine.

I see a couple areas that need a bookend so the stack stays vertical but otherwise your husband has a great looking office. Seems ideal. Unless one of his bosses thinks it needs to be changed leave it alone.

Im still trying to find the rifle. 🤷‍♀️ It is tidy. Definitely a military person’s den. My husband would love it. If you feel like it is messy for a portrait, remove the collectables for the portrait and then put them back for everyday life.

And of course you want him to look good and professional in his portrait. Marriage is give and take. Make the best use of each individual’s talents for the good of both partners. If you are better at asthetics and details, then he should be glad for your assistance.

Honestly, I find that I can get a little insight into a person when I see the books and their titles. That being said, perhaps just taking everything off the shelving, and choosing books that are something that would look good and maybe you could see some of the titles. You can stack some like regular library upright, and some stacked on top. Some framed certifications, etc. would look nice, and some sculptures. I LOVE books, but I think that maybe just taking a way a few and creating slightly cleaner lines would help. I recently did something similar for a client. A lot of times, the smaller items can get lost in there. Best to you!

@millworkmanWhile I never shared my husband's rank, I have shared the last 30 years of our marriage on the same military adventure. Whether he was a service member or now a business professional, his goal remains the same: to present himself in the best way possible. First impressions are still so important, whether in person or through a Zoom conversation. The "issue" is the objective. I will continue to support him in any way that may help him meet his objective. It’s a joint mission.

1. Did he ask for your help? I'm guessing he didn't since you stated you want to finish "before he gets home". I think if you touch any of his carefully arranged books and memorabilia, it's going to cause a huge argument. My advice to you is to leave it alone, wait until he gets home and ask him what he wants. It's his office, his job, his employer, and it's up to him to decide, not you. As others have said, his office seems to be neatly arranged and we don't see a problem.

" While I never shared my husband's rank, "

" They know when they hire him that he's a retired Colonel, not only because of his bio, but obviously because of the items that can be see behind him in a zoom call. "

?

I'm not totally understanding what is required, maybe you can clarify. But here's my take on re-reading the dilemma. It seems like there are two requirements, one for a photo to be taken as if he's on a Zoom call, that the company wants to use on their website, and the second a background for the actual Zoom calls. They don't need to be the same.

For the first I would pare down the bookshelves, taking off the items that are on top, and temporarily clearing out anything that looks "messy." I also would not want the printer in the photo. I'd keep most of the neat-looking books, the saber, the American flag, and the framed picture on the wall between the bookcases. You might want to integrate the items on the top of the bookcases with the books on the shelves.

For the second, the actual Zoom calls, you could either leave the shelves as above, and find a new spot for the items you removed, or place them on the low shelves, which no one will see anyway. OR you could revert back to your photo above, and use the blur option or find a simple Zoom background. There are many that are available free of charge that are simple/not distracting.

@millworkman, pretty sure they're saying they never shared the rank of Colonel, meaning they themselves were not a Colonel, just their husband...

I'm brutal about clutter and I think the wall looks fine.

If it were my space, I wouldn't have anything on top of the high bookcases. Decorating the top of things with small items doesn't make sense to me. Who wants to crane their neck to look at things near the ceiling?

@Diana Bier Interiors, LLC Interestingly enough, we found out last night that they want both perspectives. I appreciate the time you took to address both. Very helpful.

@auntthelma My apologies, I meant pistol. Thank you for your kind and thoughtful comments.

As i review the comments, I'm learning that I should have simply asked, "Can you please help me arrange my bookshelves so they don't appear so crowded?" The memorabilia is unique, so I'd like to incorporate it in a way that complements it. Only the saber, diploma, and pistol must remain in place.

Unfortunately, rutabaga, when you ask a question on Houzz, you get a myriad of answers that may or may not address your question. Some bordering on the intrusive.

Rutabaga, I did spot the pistol. Love the presentation.

For me it depends on if tall those books and memorbilia have something to do with what he does on Zoom calls then leave it but there atons of fake backgrounds thta can be used for Zoom calls . leave the space as he likes it and just do the fake background. My friend has one thta looks like she is sitting outside its great for her type of Zooms