Public Speaking in Front of Cameras
Today's the big day. You've been asked to present at an upcoming meeting, seminar or conference. You've put in all the needed preparation: you know the material; your notes and slides are ready; now it's time to deliver the goods. You're up next on the agenda to share your hard-won and valuable knowledge with attendees who are interested and ready.
Time to Shine
Regardless of the path that brought you to this point, the moment is here, and now is your time to shine. You want to shine, the attendees want you to shine, and the photographers and videographers hired for the event want to capture you shining.
As event photographers and videographers our job is to capture you at your very best; during those PEAK moments throughout the presentation or discussion. In photography and videography, when you look good we look good.
However, unlike portrait photography where the photographer and the subject can establish rapport, review the images, and refine each pose, the event photographer must capture great images while the subject is moving and even more challenging while the subject is speaking (and perhaps a little nervous).
Because our subjects are moving and speaking, many of the images we capture will not be peak moments. To counter this we work very hard to find and get in sync with each individual speaker's rhythm and pacing. We listen for your natural pauses and look for the smiles that accompany a funny anecdote, joke, or when a signifcant point has been made - these are the moments we want to capture.
So remember to take a moment periodically to PAUSE, SMILE, and most of all ENJOY yourself.
Movement and Stage Marks
The LECTERN
Some presenters are more comfortable behind a lectern while others prefer to move around. If you're more comfortable behind the lectern, make an effort to come out from behind it periodically. Even if that simply means standing beside it for a few moments.
This will keep you from feeling stuck in one place.
It signals to you subconsciously and to the audience that you're comfortable and confident.
This has the added benefit of allowing a few moments for the photographer to capture you in a confident position out from behind the lectern.
HIT YOUR MARKS
You may be given direction by the event producers or video production team to hit (stand on) certain marks (positions on the stage) that are usually indicated by tape placed in specific locations. These are frequently used for framing or blocking of the camera(s).
If you've been given specific marks to hit you will of course want to hit them as requested.
If you have not been given specific marks to hit and you like to move around, it can be a good idea to:
Find a few marks (tape, scratches on the stage, or imaginary marks) located in the center and around periphery of the stage and make them yours.
Move periodically from mark to mark, STOP on a given mark while making or finishing a point, transitioning to a new slide, or referencing the comfort screens or prompters.
By choosing several marks spaced around the stage you ensure that you're TAKING the entire stage and engaging with all those in attendance (not just those in the front or on one side).
If you're prone to pacing while speaking this will help you to control your pace, giving you a concrete reminder to PAUSE, SMILE and TAKE IN THE MOMENT. You should enjoy yourself and this moment as much as anyone else in attendance.
Comfort Screens and Monitors
If you're planning to use the comfort screens, monitors or prompters to help you keep your place during the presentation, try to PAUSE briefly after referencing them, look out at the audience, SMILE and then continue.
This helps control your pacing if you're a bit nervous. It gives you a moment to take a breath as you prepare for your next remarks.
A short pause while smiling out at the audience is generally interpreted as thoughtful or contemplative, not as lost or unsure.
This gives the photographer another opportunity to capture you while you're SMILING and not speaking.
Groups and Panels
Groups and Panels Discussions are a common format for many events. These are great opportunities for photographers to capture the fun expressions exchanged amongst the panelists and between the panelists and the audience.
These moments can be pure gold as still photographs and make great keepsakes for you as a participant.
When panelists are not speaking they typically adopt a NEUTRAL pose or expression. Unfortunately, frequently what feels like a neutral pose or facial expression reads to the audience and to the cameras as disinterest, which is hopefully not what you're feeling or wanting to project.
In a panel setting remember these body-language best-practices when you're not actively speaking:
Facial Expressions - Neutral facial expressions frequently read as uninterested or disengaged. The most experienced presenters still make this mistake occasionally, but remember you're there to share and have fun, so look the part and SMILE.
Even a very slight smile (with slightly upturned corners of the mouth) reads better than what might feel like a neutral expression.
Gazing - When you're on stage in a panel, but not currently speaking, it can be tough to decide where to direct your gaze, especially in close quarters where panelists are sitting shoulder to shoulder facing the audience.
When possible, try keeping your gaze focused on the person currently speaking in the panel, rather than audience.
The audience can see and hear that you're engaged with the conversation between the panelists, but in a still photograph gazing away from the speaker reads as disinterest or boredom.
Avoid gazing at the stage or your feet, even though this may feel neutral and be a more comfortable posture this reads as disengagement to both the audience and the camera.
Posture - The seating on stage is frequently less than a perfect fit for every panelist's posture, despite this remember that your posture communicates a great deal about how you feel. Avoid awkward postures.
Disappearing Act
As event photographers and videographers our goal is to avoid being a distraction to presenters and attendees. We usually wear black or dark clothing in an attempt to fade into the background and simply document the event.
While we attempt to blend in and disappear we do need to come forward periodically to capture some of the required shots. If cameras make you bit nervous, please feel free to completely ignore us, we rarely use shots where the speaker is looking directly at the camera. If you do notice us, we'll generally only be in a given position for a minute or two and then we'll move further back into the room for other shots.
We want you to shine
Some presenters love the camera while others would prefer that there were no cameras present at all. No matter where you fall on that continuum please remember that we're there to capture and show you at your very best.
You've already done all of the hard work in preparing for your presentation. By incorporating these recommendations into the delivery of your talk you put a final bit of polish on both your message and your image while helping to ensure that those documenting the event on behalf of the sponsors capture you shining!
...And you'll give yourself some great keepsakes to remember the day by in the process.