What to Do With Your Hands on Camera for a Natural, Confident Delivery

Laura Doman
Jun 10
3 min read

Updated: 12 minutes ago

Tame distracting gestures, elevate your on-camera presence, and learn how to move with purpose.

Are you a hand-talker? If so, you’ll need to dial it back a bit for video. On camera, even small gestures can seem exaggerated—especially in a tight shot. Your viewer is focused on a flat, two-dimensional image. No peripheral vision. No full-body context. Just you—and maybe just your head and shoulders.

Big sweeping gestures, fluttering fingers, or rapid arm movements can become highly distracting. But the opposite extreme—standing stiffly with zero movement—makes you look robotic. So how do you strike the right balance?

Your hands should support your message, not distract from it.

Use gestures with intention, within your frame, and always in service of connection.

Finding the Sweet Spot: Natural, Not Robotic

The key to on-camera confidence is appearing relaxed and natural. But “natural” can be tricky when nerves kick in.

Nervous energy often shows up in clenched jaws, hunched shoulders, or jittery hands. To relax before a shoot, try:

Deep breathing
Gentle stretches or a short walk
Hydrating to flush out excess sugar and calm the body

Another helpful tip? Understand your camera frame. Knowing what the viewer will (and won’t) see helps you adjust your gestures to stay polished and professional.

Use natural and engaging gestures that support your words. If you're a hand-talker, it may take some adjustment to get there.

Understanding Your Frame: It Changes Everything

There are typically three types of camera shots used in business videos, webinars, and Zoom presentations:

Head & Shoulders (Close-Up)
Waist-Up (Medium Shot)
Full or ¾ Body (Wide Shot)

Each one affects how your gestures are perceived and how much movement is too much. Let’s break them down.

A duck swims calmly on the water with legs paddling below. Text reads: "Be like a duck...paddling like the dickens" and "Busy hands?"

What to Do With Your Hands in a Head-and-Shoulders Frame

This “talking head” setup is common in Zoom meetings, interviews, and video messages.

✅ DO:

Let your hands gesture naturally below the frame.
Allow subtle shoulder or upper arm movement to suggest energy and engagement.
Sit or stand tall with relaxed shoulders and direct eye contact with the camera.

❌ DON’T:

Lean too far back (you’ll look disengaged).
Hunch forward (you risk looking aggressive or unapproachable).
Slouch to the side (viewers may wonder if you're tipping over).

Think posture and presence. Even in a tight frame, your body speaks volumes.

Person in a maroon shirt with crossed arms wearing a black wristband. Text below: Crossed arms suggest you're closed off. (don't do this!)

Gesturing in a Waist-Up Frame

Now your arms—and sometimes your hands—are visible. If you're a big hand-talker, this is where things can go awry.

✅ DO:

Keep your hands loosely at your sides or gently resting in front of you.
Use subtle, purposeful gestures that stay around chest or waist level.
Practice on camera to find your “gesture zone”—what feels natural and looks professional.

❌ DON’T:

Cross your arms (it closes you off).
Gesture wildly (it's distracting).
Clench fists or fidget (it signals nervousness).
Place hands behind your back or on your hips (these give off authoritarian or confrontational vibes).

Man in striped shirt and jeans lounges on yellow couch. Text reads "Do I look like I care?" Evokes a relaxed, indifferent mood.

Moving Naturally in a Full Body Shot

In a wide shot, you’ll likely be walking or moving. Think keynote speakers, product demos, or hosting a video on location.

✅ DO:

Walk naturally with relaxed arm movement.
Speak when planted firmly; move between points when not speaking.
Keep facing the camera as much as possible.

❌ DON’T:

Swing your arms stiffly.
Slouch—ever.
Turn your back to the camera unless absolutely necessary (viewers want to see your face and hear your voice clearly).

Camera Tricks: “Cheating” for a Better Visual

Need to reference something behind or beside you? Don’t turn away fully. “Cheat” like an actor by staying open to the camera while gesturing toward the object. A small, subtle hand motion can effectively draw attention without breaking connection.

This technique takes a little practice but works beautifully on screen.

Final Take: Practice Makes Poise

Your hands are powerful communicators. On camera, they just need a little finesse. Match your gestures to the frame, relax your body, and focus on connection—not perfection.

🎯 Remember: Less is more. Let your message shine.

With time and awareness, your gestures will stop being a distraction—and start becoming one of your best on-camera assets.

Want to learn more? Let's talk!

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I'm Laura Doman, a voice & TV/film actor and video communications coach. As an actor, I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories well, from the friendly CEO to your sassy best gal pal dispensing real-world advice. As a coach, I help you become more comfortable and charismatic on camera in videos, presentations, and online appearances.