How to be comfortable in front of the camera! | Getting out of your comfort zone

Jasper:
Okay. So today we're going to be talking about getting out of your comfort zone, so more specifically, this happens on the branding shoots that we do. So we've worked with a lot of clients where they feel a bit anxious on the build-up time.

Matt:
And we expect you to feel like that, because I mean, you're not TV presenters at the end of the day. So how we normally structure it, I normally kind of start off with the first hour in photography, because it's less pressure when there's no sound to what you're saying.

Jasper:
That's it, yeah.

Matt:
So I can have a bit more of a laugh, and kind of push you out your comfort zones in nice directions, just to see how you react really.

Jasper:
Indeed. Indeed.

Matt:
But just to make sure it's fun and easy. So when you start to do the video stuff, I think people are kind of relaxed into a little bit more.

Jasper:
If we follow sort of our normal branding shoot structure, as Matt said, he'll do the photos in that first hour, while I'm still setting up the massive lights, and trying get everything ready. But normally that means that people get the chance to open up to you as well in front of the camera, and get comfortable with having speak as well.

Matt:
I'm more funny, really? So this is why that works quite well, actually, to be honest.

Jasper:
I'm the part that everyone dreads.

Matt:
But the whole process is about having fun, and we like to think that... Well, everyone that we've worked for some far, kind of walks away actually having enjoyed themselves, and the whole process really, because you are pushing yourself out of your comfort zones. It's about growth as well, isn't it really? And building confidence.

Jasper:
I think that's a good keyword there. You do grow over the day. At the end of the shoot, you'll notice a lot more. You might start coming up with ideas we didn't think of, and you want to include on the video and photos as well.

Matt:
When you kind of realize, that actually, you can be yourself, and you actually kind of almost become more present than, don't you? And your real personality can kind of shine, because that is really what it's all about, isn't it really? It's about helping people to feel comfortable in front of the camera.

Jasper:
I've sort of more realized that the branding shoot is more about making up situations in a way. So I was saying, one of my favorite things that you do, is taking photos of someone, that their favorite person has walked in the room, but sometimes it doesn't always look like it's their favorite person-

Matt:
That is very funny.

Jasper:
... you've got to push them a bit more.

Matt:
So it's kind of... I'm, "Ooh look over there. Ooh look, someone's just walked in." It's, "Ooh, you really like them." So then, kind of it's, "Oh, like them." So it's the energy of kind of being excited, which makes such a difference I think, when you're presenting these on your website and social media, because you're showing kind of the happy side of your personality-

Jasper:
That's it.

Matt:
... as opposed to a frown or a scowl, because you're a bit all tight and nervous.

Jasper:
It's sort of better that way when you sort of incorporate that idea of a scenario in there, like someone walking in, rather than just saying... We're not going to just be, "Oh and just smile. One, two, three, cheese."

Matt:
It's not cheese. It's really not cheese.

Jasper:
It really is a process, where at the start of the day, like I said, you're going to feel like you've grown a bit, sort of in terms of being comfortable.

Matt:
And if it doesn't look convincing, I'll make sure... If it doesn't look convincing-

Jasper:
We'll tell you if it looks bad. Don't worry, we will tell you. It's important that we make sure you look good in front of camera, and obviously truly represent what your brand is all about. One way to get comfortable before the shoot, is just practice a lot with Instagram Stories, Facebook Stories, and lives as well.

Matt:
Videos as well. If you really want to push yourself way out your comfort zone, lives are great.

Jasper:
My favourite is when a live just goes wrong, and you realize you're on live, and there's nothing you can really do about it.

Matt:
Have you done a live that's gone wrong?

Jasper:
I've done a live where I didn't really inform anyone that was going to do it live, so I had three people that were all my friends, and just commenting random things that had nothing to do with business.

Matt:
What? They were in the film that you were Living?

Jasper:
No, they were commenting on it.

Matt:
Oh, while you were talking? Was it really putting you off?

Jasper:
Well, I thought is a bit funny, and then I thought... Oh, what I'm saying is just, I'm shouting them out, and this actually relates... It doesn't make sense what I'm doing, so I immediately deleted it.

Matt:
Oh.

Jasper:
And then I thought... I planned again. I mean, when we've done lives, we made sure that we plan sort of a talking point-

Matt:
Oh yeah, we've not done a live for a while, have we actually? We always make notes, because it's all about preparation, isn't it really?

Jasper:
That's it.

Matt:
Because if you're prepared... I always find that I tend to probably over-prepare actually, because as soon as I do start talking and I feel comfortable, it's actually really, really easy, isn't it?

Jasper:
That's it.

Matt:
But it's getting that recording started. And also when you see other people's lives, if they do make a bit of a mistake, it makes them more interesting to watch, so you kind of can't really go wrong, can you? It's got much more personality, isn't it, when it goes a little bit wrong? Stories really easy, because they're 15 seconds long, aren't they? You can just say a few words. And then the more you do it... I found in lockdown... I challenged myself straight away. I did some lives for my Snack Cupboard, which actually... Well, my friends really liked them, actually. I think I felt like I've done enough of those to be honest. But I do videos quite a lot now, and actually, I really quite enjoy them, and I do get really good interaction as well.

Jasper:
Once you get comfortable presenting, and you feel like you can really dive into a topic, then your content becomes better, it becomes more interesting as well, and just that engagement shoots up [crosstalk 00:05:03].

Matt:
It's like anything really. You shove yourself out your comfort zone a little bit, and you keep doing a little bit more, and then actually... It's within your comfort zone then, isn't it? It's something you feel quite comfortable with doing. That's a good way to prepare. Good tip there, Jasper

Jasper:
Do it. I dare you. I think that's all we've got time for today. I think.

Matt:
Thanks for joining us.

Jasper:
Hope you've enjoyed that. Looking forward to speaking to you again soon. All right. Bye, for now.