As all modern content creators will tell you, being on camera is essential to building a personal brand. It can be intimidating and nerve-wracking, especially when it is not something you are used to doing. The good news is that there are many things you can do to make yourself feel more confident when the camera comes out.

GET ON CAMERA MORE

It might seem obvious, but the more you are on camera the more natural you will feel being on camera. This is especially true for videos, where you are listening to yourself. Practice recording yourself when you are in a natural conversation to get used to the idea that you don’t have to change or perform to do well on camera.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

What you wear matters. You know that if you put on an outfit that makes you feel confident and amazing that is how you show up. Be sure to wear clothes that make you feel like you can take on the world. Avoid small stripes, repeating patterns, and other brand logos that will be distracting on camera. If you aren’t sure what to wear consider solid colors in neutrals or your brand colors mixing up the texture for added interest.

BODY LANGUAGE

Consider how you are standing and presenting yourself. Your body language will speak volumes in the end image/video. To achieve a confident look be sure to make eye contact with the camera and have your best posture. Chin lifted a bit also shows confidence, too high though and it can appear arrogant. If you are looking to appear a bit more personable then consider tilting your head just a bit.

PREPARE YOUR BODY

Hydrate and get plenty of rest for as many days as possible before the session. Keeping well-hydrated will help you look radiant and being well-rested with help you feel focused and energized. It can be surprisingly exhausting during a full-day session.

PLAN AHEAD

Prepare for your session by knowing what you absolutely must get on camera vs what you would like to get that day. If you are doing videography have a script written out or at least some talking points to keep you on track and make sure you aren’t forgetting anything.

KEEP IT NATURAL

As humans, we are really good at noticing when someone is not being genuine. Be yourself and let your own personality, expertise, and light shine. Add movement to your images that you would normally do, don’t stretch yourself beyond what is normal or natural. If speaking, speak naturally, slightly slower than you normally would, and emphasize your words – we tend to speed up how we speak when we are nervous.

HIRE A PROFESSIONAL

Hiring a professional can make you feel so much more comfortable on camera. A quality professional will help you plan out your session and will be sure that they are using your brand as the focal point for your session. They will guide you on all manners that need consideration: shot list, posing, framing, lighting, locations, and all other technical aspects and more. They will help you look and feel your best.

Using these tips can exponentially help you feel more confident on camera. Resulting in compelling brand images and videos ready to align with your brand’s visions and goals. Remember, as with everything, the more you put yourself out there the better you will become, you will be a pro at appearing on camera in no time!