How to Present Better on Camera-The Eyes Have It

If you’ve been keeping an eye out for ways to make you appear better on your videos or virtual presentations, you’ll find this blog eye opening.

 (Two cheesy puns in the first sentence. No eye rolling allowed…)

 If you’ve been eyeing fancy equipment, elaborate editing or plastic surgery - start smaller. Much smaller. Focus on the eyes first.

 Why? Because the eyes don’t lie. On camera everything is amplified significantly. Which means the tiniest eye movement says a lot. Your audience on the other side of the lens can tell if you are uncomfortable, unprepared, or ready to divorce your significant other who just walked into the room.

Here's a Bird's Eye View of 7 Ways to Communicate Better Through Your Eyes On Camera

 1. Keep the Camera at Eye Level

 The camera lens should be equal or slightly higher than your eyes. Why? A few simple reasons, but the gist is it makes you look better.

 When you’re zooming on your laptop placed on your desk, we get to see up your nose, wrinkles on your neck and chin, and lovely shadows under your eyes. Basically, most people don’t appreciate being looked down on.

 If you place your computer camera or phone at eye level or slightly higher, things smooth out nicely. Your shoulders drop to a natural place and, if you're lit correctly, we can see your eyes without giant shadows underneath.

 2. Bullseye-Finding the Lens

You’d think it’d be obvious you’re supposed to stare at the lens, but if you’ve ever tried to take a selfie with friends, there’s always one staring off into Never Never land.

 It’s even harder when you’re going to present and people are staring at you on the screen; your heart is pounding and the lights are blinding you. It’s not as easy as one would think.

 Simple trick: Tape. Yep. Million-dollar tip right here. Take a small piece of colorful tape that’s not too sticky and place it slightly above the lens.

 I use the SAME piece of tape on my webcam, computer laptop or my phone. I just pop it right on to whatever I’m filming with. No squinting or looking around for a tiny black spot.

 This is great when I’m presenting on Zoom because I do catch myself looking at other people talking or asking questions on the screen. I always want to make sure I’m delivering straight to the camera, not the screen. It makes it easy for my eyes to pop back to where they’re supposed to be when it’s my turn to talk.

3. Eye Catching-The Sticky Note Trick

 I am an introvert and always thinking in my head. For all of you external processors out there, this tip may not be needed.

 If you’ve experienced this, you and I are exactly alike. Ever rehearsed what you wanted to say in your head over and over again? Then when it came time to look at the camera and record, you were completely thrown because there’s a camera and even people staring right back at you causing you to forget everything you wanted to say? AKA-deer in the headlights as soon as the camera rolls.

 Been there. Here’s how I fixed that. Colorful sticky notes.

 I practiced this so much and have done so many videos now I don’t use it anymore, but it REALLY helped.

 Place a colorful sticky note on your office wall or a kitchen cabinet while you’re cooking. (Don’t recommend your windshield while you’re driving…probably should be looking at the road.)

 Then practice OUT LOUD while making your eyes focus on the sticky note. It gets you used to staring at something outside of your head and in one place (like a camera lens). When it comes time to record, you won’t be thrown if you’ve practiced this enough.

4. Red Eye-Looking Rough-Here’s How to De-Puff

 Traveled on the red eye? Had a wild night? Maybe you just rolled over wrong like me, hurt something, and now can’t get back to sleep…Sigh. I’ve never been this old in my entire life.

 Here’s some quick ways to look better than you feel:

 -A washcloth with cold water or an ice pack placed on your eyes. (Not fun. I hate that one.)

 -Green tea bags-wet. Slap them on the eyes for 10 minutes.

 -Cucumbers. Yes, they really do work.

 Something fancy shmancy I swear by: (Totally an affiliate link. Come on-I’ve got to make $0.37 sometime. I know my worth…) https://amzn.to/3l44sNc

Shisedo Benefactor Eye Cream. Bam. That stuff REALLY works for me. Shrinks those eye lids right back into place just in time for me to smear them with eye liner. Shis and I travel everywhere together.

 5. 4 Eyes-HEY! That’s Not Nice. (I Need to Be Cancelled.)

 I can’t see beyond my laptop or my insecurities, so I wear glasses. However, never on camera. I just stare at the blurry piece of tape.

 Why? It’s really hard to light correctly. Your lighting equipment will reflect in your glasses. If you choose or need to wear glasses, pay attention to the reflection. You may need to adjust the placement of your lights or the brightness or both.

 I would wear contacts, but like all things, I’m always the weird one. Contacts make my eyes water badly. Nobody wants to look at a goopy, drippy-eyed actress or speaker unless it’s a soap opera.

6. Eye of the Storm: There’s Power in Focus

 Don’t look AT the camera - look THROUGH the camera. Let me repeat that- don’t at. Do through.

 Ever been with your significant other and they’re staring at you lovingly. Then you slip up and say the wrong thing. Ever paid attention to how their eyes go from adoring to swords trying to destroy your soul? That’s the power of focus.

 It’s hard to explain, but there is a different energy in the eyes when it comes to simply looking at, as opposed to focusing and looking through.

 You always want to be natural, so imagine someone is on the other side of the lens that you are talking to. Stare through the lens at them.

7. Eagle Eye-Keep it Tight

 Every movement in the camera is HUGE. Even your eye movements. If you are speaking on stage your eyes can bounce around the audience and you can even move your head. Imagine that. On camera-you can’t. (We’ll talk about the head in another post.)

 A normal eye movement, such as looking down at your notes, is noteworthy to the audience. This is why you need to keep your eyes “tight” to the camera lens. If you are speaking, make sure your notes are as close as you can get to the lens.

 If you are sharing a story and are moving your eyes to help define a story or image, make sure your eyes move barely to the right or to the left of the camera.

 It’s pretty tough to do if you are not used to controlling your eyes. If you find your eyes are bouncing all over the place, go back to the sticky note exercise and practice that way.

 Well, there you have it. This post is done in a blink of an eye… (Actually, that’s a total lie. It took three days with an immense amount of inner nagging to get it done.)

 If you liked this post, I’d love for you to share it so I can be more in the public eye.

 Keep an eye out for more posts, and don't forget to get your free "10 Easy Ways to Look Good and Feel Great On Camera" guide. Blink-I mean click on the link. (Ugh! Enough, Stacy.)