Mastering Camera Confidence: Overcoming the Fear of Being Seen

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a camera lens with sweaty palms, a racing heart, and a million “what-ifs” swirling through your mind, this post is for you. Video content has become an essential part of modern business, especially for coaches and healers looking to create authentic connections. Yet, showing up on camera can feel like one of the most intimidating things to do. I get it—I’ve been there, and so have many of my clients.

In this post, I’ll share why video feels so vulnerable, the nervous system responses that kick in, and actionable tips to help you press record with confidence. My goal is for you to walk away empowered, ready to show up authentically, and equipped to create video content that connects deeply with your audience.

The Roots of Camera Anxiety

Before diving into strategies, let’s talk about why the camera feels so intimidating. It often boils down to cultural conditioning around perfectionism and the fear of judgment.

The Perfectionism Trap

Social media has amplified the pressure to present a polished, flawless image. We scroll through reels and stories featuring perfect lighting, seamless edits, and captivating visuals, which can make our raw, unfiltered ideas feel inadequate. The voice of self-doubt whispers, “Why would anyone care about what I have to say?” or “My video isn’t good enough to post.”

The Fear of Judgment

The fear of judgment runs deep. Will people misunderstand my message? Critique my appearance? Laugh at my messy background? The vulnerability of video can make us hyper-aware of our imperfections, whether it’s a flyaway hair or a slip of the tongue.

The Inner Critic’s Role

For many, the real challenge isn’t the camera itself—it’s the voice inside that criticizes everything we see on playback. This self-criticism can be paralyzing, stopping you before you even start.

Understanding Your Nervous System Responses

Your nervous system plays a huge role in how you respond to the vulnerability of being seen. When faced with the perceived threat of judgment or rejection, one of four responses often kicks in:

1. Fight:  You might feel frustrated—maybe at tech issues or imperfections in your setup.

2.  Flight: Avoidance becomes the go-to. You plan to record but never actually do it.

3.  Freeze: You hit record, then blank out, unable to remember what you wanted to say.
4.  Fawn: You morph into what you think others want to see, losing your authentic voice.
    

 These responses aren’t sabotaging you—they’re your body’s way of protecting you. Recognizing them is the first step toward feeling safer on camera.

How to Create Safety in Your Body Before Hitting Record

1. Grounding Exercises

• Start with a grounding ritual to help your body feel safe. Here are some ideas:
• Take deep, slow breaths to calm your nervous system.
• Do a quick body scan: Where are you holding tension? Let it go.
• Repeat affirmations like, “It’s safe to be seen,” or “It’s safe to speak my truth.”
• Try gentle movement, like walking or stretching, to release nervous energy.

2. Shift Your Perspective

Reframe video as a conversation, not a performance. Imagine you’re talking to a close friend, not an audience of strangers. This small mindset shift can help reduce pressure and make your content feel more authentic.

Practical Tips for Building Camera Confidence

1. Embrace Imperfection

Your audience isn’t looking for perfection—they’re looking for connection. The messy bun, the unpolished background, the occasional cough? Those are the things that make you relatable.

2. Batch Your Content

Batching videos can reduce the pressure of always being “on.” Create multiple pieces of content in one session and schedule them out using tools like Planoly or Later. This gives you breathing room to focus on other areas of your business.

3. Practice, Practice, Practice

Start small:

• Record a voice memo for yourself.
• Share a video with a trusted friend or coach for feedback.
• Gradually expand to a small, safe group before posting publicly.
• The more you practice, the less intimidating it becomes. Over time, you’ll build both skill and confidence.

4. Use Supportive Tools

Keep a simple outline or bullet points in front of you when recording. This helps you stay on track without sounding rehearsed. And remember, you can always edit pre-recorded videos before posting.

The Power of Titration: Small Steps Toward Visibility

Titration, a concept from somatic work, is about taking small, manageable steps toward a goal. Here’s how you can apply it to video content:

1. Start with what feels safest: writing down ideas or recording audio-only voice memos.
2. Share your work with one trusted person for encouragement.
3. Gradually share with a small group, like a private Facebook community.
4. Practice recording and editing videos before posting them.
5. Transition to live video in low-pressure settings, like a private group or a smaller social platform.

 Your Camera Confidence Plan

Before pressing record, ask yourself these three questions:

1.What’s my intention?

• Is it to connect? Educate? Inspire? Be clear about your purpose.

2. How can I make this feel true to me?

• Show up authentically—whether that means wearing no makeup or keeping it casual.

3. What’s one thing I can do to ground myself?

• Deep breaths, affirmations, or a quick walk can make all the difference.

Ready to stop hiding and start shining? Join my free workshop, The Art of Being Seen, on January 16th, 2025. We’ll dive deeper into these strategies and help you create content that feels aligned with your heart and soul.

If you’re ready to take this to the next level, join the waitlist for Vibrant Visibility, my 6-month group coaching program starting in March. Let’s make 2025 the year you feel safe, seen, and unstoppable!

What’s one small step you’ll take today to show up on camera? Let me know—I’d love to cheer you on!

XO,

Shawne