Facing a camera can feel unnatural. There's no eye contact, no nodding head, no visible reaction – just a black lens staring back at you. It's no wonder many people freeze, overthink their delivery, or come across as wooden on screen. But here’s one of the most effective – and surprisingly simple – techniques we teach at The Presenter Studio: treat the camera as if it were a real person.

Imagine the camera is your best client, your most engaged colleague, or your most supportive friend. The goal is to create a genuine connection. When you shift your mindset away from ‘broadcasting’ and toward ‘communicating’, your tone naturally becomes warmer, your delivery more relaxed, and your performance more authentic.

Why does this matter? Because viewers can instantly tell when something feels rehearsed or robotic. The magic of great on-camera presence lies in making the audience feel like you’re speaking directly to them, not just delivering a message. Eye-line, tone, and intention all improve when you stop seeing the lens as a threat and start seeing it as a human.

At The Presenter Studio, our clients often find that this one mental shift unlocks a whole new level of confidence. We use practical exercises and personalised coaching to help them come across as natural and connected – even when the red light is on.

If you’d like to feel more at ease on camera and learn techniques used by top broadcasters and business leaders, explore our media training services at: https://www.presenterstudio.com/business-presenter-training/media-training