What to Wear (or Not!) When You're On Camera
How to look good - and professional - in a video
Do patterns work on camera?
What's considered professional?
How far can you go to express your individuality and still be appropriately dressed for the video you're making?
Yup, wardrobe matters when you're on camera. It doesn't matter if you're a spokesperson, an actor, or a business owner being interviewed for the umpteenth time. You want to represent both yourself and your message well. Just like you once needed to know how to dress for that first interview or corporate job, you need to know how to present yourself for the camera.
I'm talking colors, styles, patterns, and even type of footwear.
If you're not careful, you could end up visually competing with your message. If viewers are more focused on what you're wearing (or not wearing, for that matter), that's all they're going to remember afterwards. And you certainly don't want to show up in the final product as a bodiless floating head (don't worry, it doesn't hurt, it just looks weird). Or be the one who ruined otherwise clean audio because you made loud squishy noises with every step you took.
Avoid the pitfalls. Dress like a pro. You'll come off as polished, professional and credible. And on good terms with the editing team.
Don't appear as a bodiless floating head. It looks weird, especially if you're making a serious business video and not a Halloween special.
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Laura's Quick Tips
Dress for the occasion
Don't visually compete with the message
Know your background, so that your clothing complements - not clashes - with it
Unless you're making your own video, check with the production team for guidelines. They should have a well-defined idea as to what the finished video will look like. They may furnish clothing options, provide suggestions, or just ask you to bring in several choices for them to decide upon. But whether you have guidance or you're forging ahead on your own, you can't go wrong knowing some of these basics. So what are you waiting for? Watch the video already!
Wardrobe is an important consideration for looking good on camera, but did you know that hair and makeup - even for guys - play a significant role, too? Check it out in this short video.
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!
Wait - what I've been doing is wrapping my head up in chroma green and then filming myself against a green screen all this time. If I follow you correctly, that's not the right way to go about it? *scratches invisible head, mouthless voice says "hmmm....."