How to get past camera nerves
Nearly everyone freezes the first time. Here's why it happens, and six small things that get you talking naturally in a minute or two.
Writes the iyawt prompt library.
You’ve found the window, propped up the phone, pressed record. And now you’re staring at a lens, with no idea how your face normally works.
It happens to almost everyone. Here’s why, and what to do about it.
Why it happens
A camera doesn’t react. When you talk to a person, their face tells you you’re doing fine. A lens gives you nothing back, so your brain decides something’s wrong. Nothing is.
Six things that help
- Talk to one person. Not “everyone”, not “the kids”. Say one name, picture their face, and talk to them.
- Put a photo next to the lens. Of them. Look at it when you lose your place.
- Start in the middle. Skip “Um, hi, so I wanted to…” and start with the story: “It was raining the night you were born.” You can add a hello later, or not.
- Do a throwaway take. Record thirty seconds you intend to delete. Nerves live in the first take. The second one is usually the keeper.
- Keep your hands busy. A mug of tea. The dog. Anything.
- Stop early. A minute is plenty. Ending while you still have something to say is better than running out of steam.
The thing to remember
The person watching won’t be grading your delivery. They’ll be looking at your face and listening to your voice say their name. The pauses, the laugh at your own joke, the bit where you lose your thread: that’s you. That’s the gift.
Ready?
Pick one prompt from the prompts for your children or for your partner and record a throwaway take. Then record the real one.