Smile! You’re on Camera!

They say the camera adds 10lbs, but we say, “Not if you do it right.” We have all the pro-tips and tricks to be sure you are presented well and clearly visible on the livestream for the upcoming event! 

Tip #1: It is important to make eye contact with the camera as much as possible. This helps the Deaf audience feel connected. Imagine the camera is a Deaf friend  who you so badly want to understand the content. Make this personal in the way you pray and consider who is on the other side of the camera.

Tip #2: Bring your phone charger. Sometimes the event goes long and nobody likes a dead cell phone. 

Tip #3: Bring black or clear headphones that wrap around your ear and fit snuggly. These will hook into the audio monitor. This is critical for hearing interpreters, but optional for Deaf interpreters who would like the audio feed.

Tip #4: Attire. Only your head to hips will be visible. Think simple, contrasting and modest. Coverage needs to be high enough on your chest that skin tones do not wash out your signing. Speaking of being washed out, no bright colors, even with your hair and keep all this in consideration with layers.  Best practice is ¾ or full-length sleeves. Bottoms can be dark jeans or other professional solid colored bottoms. 

Advice from Deaf advisors

-Fair-skinned: Black shirts are best practice. (No shades of green)

-Brown-skinned: Solid color that contrasts skin tone, like gray, teal, gold, cream (No shades of green)

Tip #5: Makeup. Required. Powder. Lipstick. Eye makeup. Powder before going on screen each time. Apply lipstick to make your lips pop. Add eye makeup to help eye definition. 

Easy enough right? Oh, don’t forget to smile!