Looking Professional On Camera: Hair, Makeup & Jewelry
Appearances DO matter, especially when you're on camera. Do yourself a favor and do it right.
Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard aside, you DO want to look camera ready when the the director calls, "Action!" or "Go!" or "Rolling" or the plain old vanilla version, "Uh, that's your cue to start talking."
A few disclaimers first:
You don't have to look absolutely perfect, whatever that means to you.
You don't have to be "gorgeous, darling," young, or even particularly photogenic (though any or all of these don't hurt, either).
You don't have to be of the female persuasion to be concerned about your appearance.
You DO want your appearance on camera to be in sync with the message of your video. You may be speaking as a corporate representative or as a user of your company's product. Most likely, your intention is to come across as a real person in a real-life situation, speaking frankly to your viewers about whatever, well, you have to talk about.
Here are some tips, and a few do's and don'ts, to make sure that you look like the professional or expert who's worth listening to.
Remember that the main focus of the video is the message. Make sure that the messenger - that's you - is not a distraction.
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Laura's Quick Tips
The attention of the viewer needs to be on what you're saying, not on whatever you're wearing.
Production lights can be harsh, so everybody - even guys - may need a little makeup.
Be careful not to wear anything that makes noise when you move, like a bangle bracelet. The microphone picks up EVERYTHING.
You'll notice that this video focuses pretty much on everything from the neck up, because many videos feature speakers as "talking heads" - from the shoulders or chest up. Wardrobe DOES matter, especially when the shot is anywhere from waist up to full body. Because wardrobe is a big enough subject to warrant its own video, it'll be covered separately.
In the meantime, the advice in this video doubles as pointers for any upcoming professional headshot session that you may be planning. And here's a bonus tip when it comes time to finding a photographer or studio: find someone who specializes in corporate headshot photography. There's more to this art than simple portrait photography or (gasp) your spouse or buddy with a mobile phone. A specialist in corporate headshots knows how to create the professional images you're seeking, from poses to lighting to ambiance, without the results coming off as dated or contrived. Chances are they'll echo the advice in this video as to how you can physically prepare yourself for the session.
Finding these tips helpful? Check out many more in my video series, On Camera Tips for Success.
I'm Laura Doman, a former tech industry sales executive, hands-on mom, voice & TV/film actress, and improv performer. I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories, from the friendly CEO touting new upgrades to your sassy best gal pal dispensing some necessary, real-world advice...Let's Talk!
