“I’m just not a camera person.” I hear this at the start of almost every coaching session. And almost every time, it’s wrong — it just takes a little practice and the right techniques.
1. Talk to a Person, Not a Lens
Imagine a good friend is sitting just behind the camera. Talk to them, not into the lens. This mental shift immediately changes your body language and energy.
2. Breathe Before You Record
Three deep breaths before you start reduce adrenaline and lower your vocal pitch. A deeper, calmer voice reads as more confident and competent on screen.
3. Treat the First Take as a Throwaway
Record every video twice. The first take is for warming up — no pressure. The second is often better, but sometimes the first surprises you.
4. Stand Rather Than Sit
Standing gives you more energy, better posture, and more vocal projection. Where the setting allows, stand when recording.
5. Watch Yourself Back
Yes, it’s uncomfortable. But people who analyse their own videos — even just the first 30 seconds — improve faster than through any coaching alone. Focus on: eye contact, speaking pace, posture.
Camera anxiety isn’t a personality trait. It’s a skill you can train. And the good news: progress is usually visible after just a few takes.