Be More Comfortable On-Camera: 4 Tips to Look and Feel More Confident

When faced with the prospect of being on-screen, all of our perceived flaws seem to magnify themselves, and the fear begins to creep in.

Everything else is in place – you’ve worked on a fantastic script, figured out all of the visuals and you’ve worked hard to pick the best location you possibly could for the video.

The only thing left to do now is record, but a lot hinges on your performance, which is an unsettling feeling to say the least.

However, it is possible to make these feelings subside somewhat, or even disappear completely. Yes, it takes time and practise, but it is possible to truly feel like the star that you are when asked to step into the spotlight. Combine this with all of the pre-production work that goes into shooting a video, and you’re sure to have created a recipe for success that will earn you a dedicated audience that keeps coming back for more.

In this blog post, we’re going give you some tips in order to help you feel and look more comfortable on camera going forward.

This is a great starting point because it is something that is so easy for you correct. Posture plays a big part in our overall body language and how the world sees us. Standing tall with your back straight and shoulders back exudes confidence, which will enable you to be seen as more of an authority – great if you’re being interviewed as an industry expert, or trying to educate your audience on a subject.

The beauty of video is it allows us to communicate in non-verbal ways. This does, of course, mean that our body language needs to be on point however. Make sure you are always facing the camera, and try to let your arms hang loose by your sides. This is a very open stance to take that invites your audience in. Avoid crossing your arms as this does the opposite and closes you off. If you’re someone who talks with their hands, that’s fine, but try to restrain your movements if you can as too much hand-waving can act as a distraction.

There isn’t really a definitive answer to this particular point, however assuming you’re acting as some kind of a presenter, it’s best to try to look down the lens. This way, it’s absolutely clear that you’re addressing your audience as you speak. However, staring straight down the barrel can be an uncomfortable experience, especially if you’re not used to being on camera, so a good rule of thumb is to look about two inches above the lens. You’ll achieve roughly the same effect as looking directly into the camera, but it will be a far more pleasant experience if that was something that was causing you a problem.

Like with your body language and posture, a smile is a great way to engage your audience. Everybody loves a friendly face, and if you look as though you are happy to share your knowledge, viewers will be much more likely to receive it and interact with you too, which is fantastic for helping to boost your profile. The main thing is to ensure that that smile always seems genuine – something that appears forced can have the opposite effect as you may end up looking smug and overconfident, which is a massive turn-off for people who are ultimately seeking to educate themselves.