I used to be camera shy, and I got over it by accident.
Are you one of those people who freezes when a camera, any camera, is pointed at you? Does your face get all stiff and awkward? Do you start sweating buckets?
If you are camera shy, take heart. There are ways to overcome it.
The kids I worked with were not improving enough. Although they had heart, they failed to project a presence in their conversation. Home practice was a battle. Parents reported they did the exercises however the outcome was disappointing. The audience could not understand what the kids said.
So I spent an entire summer learning how to create greater clarity in their speech. What I stumbled upon was unexpected, fun and barrier breaking.
Exaggeration.
When preparing for a talk, I would have the kids follow me in 
an exaggeration exercise. That means EXAGGERATING, to the most extreme, the pronunciation of every word. The mouth must be opened, really, really opened and each contortion of the mouth, tongue and eyes exaggerated beyond acceptable public presence. So extreme the face hurts. Speak LOUDLY, using the most extreme 'outside' voice, originating from the diaphragm. These kids gave themselves a license to have fun.
After getting through the giggling and laughing, the EXAGGERATION exercise worked its magic.
The impact was larger than I expected.
These young kids, when presenting on stage enunciated clearly and projected into the back of the room. Success resulted in a greater willingness to fit practice in at home. The parents, however, needed a bit of time to adjust.
I use the same exaggeration before I hit that RECORD button.
How did Exaggeration help me overcome camera shyness?
My intention was to help kids out with their speech. Intention proved stronger than my fears.
Instead of bringing up complications and focusing on my fears about being in front of the camera, it helped me to review my goals and intentions:
- Who needs or would really benefit from watching this on video?
- What would be easier to demonstrate or explain on camera?
- Why do I want to connect with those people and earn their trust?
- Never read a cold script when the record light is on.
Ones intention, their heart for their audience, will prove stronger than their fear.
Feeling a bit of anxiety before taking the stage or hitting the record button is confirmation you are taking responsibility for the time the audience is investing in you,
SERIOUSLY.
This anxiety is confirmation this presentation is about your audience, your need to share your treasure for their benefit, and it is not about you. No anxiety means your audience has been diminished.
Those who suffer camera shyness would do well to review the guidelines published by TED TALKS regarding the creating of an effective TED TALK presentation.
When you have a plan, the outcome is much more predictable.
Reviewing the linked TED TALKS guide, and actually following those directions, instills the confidence of intention and urgency of purpose.
When it is not about you, your courage will surface. Intention is stronger than fear.
Are you camera shy?
Have you ever been?
How did you get over it?
Best of success,
Annette Lawrence, Broker/Associate
Remax Realtec Group
Palm Harbor FL
727. 420. 4041
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