Our best advice + tips for getting camera ready
One common theme no matter what type of production is feeling nervous/anxious/overwhelmed when it comes to getting camera ready. Everyone wants to look and feel their best before their shoot, which can be especially hard when you aren’t typically in front of a camera.
With over 10 years of experience, our team takes pride in helping our clients feel confident and comfortable before filming takes place, no matter what kind of project. We have worked with dozens of different vendors to be able to recommend different services, tips + tricks and advice on getting camera ready - both physically and mentally!
Here are a few of our top tips -
Grab a Rescue Kit
One product we always have on set is a Rescue Kit! Filled with the styling tools most utilized at photo shoots, The Photo Shoot Kit is a must have for anyone who spends time in front of (or behind!) the camera. Learn more here.
2. Create a vision board
Need help getting inspired? Use sites like Pinterest to save inspo you see online - look at colors, textures, locations, outfits, hair styles, etc. Create a little vision board for what your perfect shoot day looks like!
3. Confidence
There is a reason you are showing up in front of the camera. Remember that you know yourself, your business + your content better than anyone!
4. Hire a team
There is a lot that goes into a successful shoot day. We recommend hiring professionals to make it easier for you, like all of the amazing people listed in this blog! Be sure to tell them we sent you!
Keep reading to hear what some of our favorite industry professionals have to say!
STYLING
“Look in your own closet - In order to save a little money and keep the cost of your shoot down, see if there are any pieces in your own wardrobe that are flattering, on-brand and aesthetically functional. If you can build off something you already own, it's a great way to get the ball rolling and save a little money in the creative process. Quick tip: Make sure you try it on and chat with your photographer/creative director to make sure it'll work.”
Risa Kostis
HAIR + MAKEUP
“For the shoot day - Always come with clean DRY hair (make sure you wash your roots well!) It's easier for us to dirty hair with products rather than style dirty hair. If you know you like a blow out, communicate that so we can schedule more time or get one the night before.
Always floss, brush & whiten your smile. I can't tell you how many people show up with stuff in their teeth! A white smile always gives you more confidence in front of the camera.”
Azure + Sherry
SKINCARE
"Flawless makeup application is key for picture perfect skin and this starts with exfoliation. Regular exfoliation removes dead skin cells, loosens and removes impurities and allows hydrating serums to penetrate where they are needed.”
Kristina Cadwell, M.S., PA-C
“Our biggest tip for getting camera ready is to start with bright, clear and vibrant looking skin! When your skin is healthy, it literally reflects light and on camera looks as though it’s glowing. The eye recognizes that glow as a sign of appearing well-rested or a sign of youthfulness. For most of us, glowing skin doesn’t just happen with proper hydration and rest. It requires a level of commitment and consistency in treating your skin with the most effective medical-based technologies and medical-grade skin care products, both of which are clinically tested and vetted through clinical trials. Over-the-counter devices and department store/drug store products are not held to the same standards of having to prove their efficacy or effectiveness.”
Dr. Admire
NUTRITION
“Make sure you are nourished, energized, and on your game before filming, eat a balanced meal, focus on hydration, and always bring snacks (like trail mix!) to have during breaks.”
Gillean Barkyoumb, MS, RDN
WELLNESS
“Feeling "puffy" , swollen and tired? If so, you might be dealing with low energy, bad sleep and too much inflammation. We are surrounded by toxins in our water, food and air. Optimyze can help you to reset, renew and refresh, naturally…”
Michael Roviello, MaEd/AET
BRANDING
“The biggest tip would be to ensure your visuals on set are aligning with the brand message you’ve spent so much time defining. For example – does the set design match with the essence you hope your brand portrays. Does your wardrobe showcase a professional vibe. Are you confident in front of the camera because you’ve nailed down the perfect team to help capture the overall feeling of your brand.”
Ellyse Nichole
Want to get the FULL GUIDE with even more tips + tricks? Click here to download.
Comment below and let us know your favorite tip listed in this blog post!
a letter from the founder: kicking off the new year
a letter from the founder: kicking off the new year
The ultimate goal in your career is to find something you love to do so much that you never feel like you have to “go to work” a day in your life, right? That is exactly how I felt when I discovered my passion for filmmaking and video production over 2 decades ago. I pursued my education in the technicalities of storytelling through video, however I had never taken a single business course in my life. I never sought out to be an entrepreneur or business owner, i just kinda found myself here because i kept showing up doing what i love and doing it on my own terms… I know I’m not alone. There are so many people who have that creative, entrepreneurial spirit when they find something they love to do so much. At the same time, it is easy to feel stuck, alone, unmotivated or uninspired.
This is exactly why we have created this blog. We hope this will be a resource to many for inspiration, connection and growth by sharing video production tips, highlighting our community and revealing real life stories on how we operate a creative business in the bustling world we live in today.
At the moment I am typing this, I am sitting on my couch with a big ‘ol belly curious if today will be the day my son is born. It’s been an interesting concept for me as a passionate business owner to take more time at home to prepare for maternity leave. So much of my identity and day-to-day life is wrapped up in my businesses, yet I understand the importance of being able to step away and trust the team and systems that are implemented will keep the train rolling while I bring another human into the world.
I guess you could say owning a business is a lot like motherhood… you work so hard to birth and raise it and then there comes the day where you realize all the time and hard work you have poured into it is now its own incredible, sustainable, independent being. It still needs your TLC from time to time, but in order to really let it flourish, you must trust and then let it do the work. I am so grateful for the incredible team we have at both the good vibe media and studios and insanely proud of the passion they put into their craft for all of our clients.
Alright, i’m now off my sappy emotional stand and want to shift gears to shed light on my perspective moving in to a fresh year as a business owner…
Here are the 3 things on my mind moving in to 2023:
Know your numbers
Expand your community
Seek more growth
NUMBERS
If you are a creative starting your own business you may relate to this… I had ZERO business background or knowledge when I first started my video production business. All I knew was my passion for filmmaking and made up the business concepts as I went. There were no systems or structure, my schedule was inconsistent and chaotic, and I was living paycheck to paycheck with SO MUCH uncertainty of what the future held.
A few years ago I was seeking out business support and mentorship to help create more consistency and success within my company, ultimately creating more freedom and ease in my life. The dramatic shift and change I recognized with the growth of the company and security in all areas of my life was remarkable - what a concept! This is why knowing the numbers inside my business is now always on the forefront of my mind, especially entering a fresh year with new goals and expectations.
What numbers do you want to look at?
Profit & Loss Report - gather this report for each month, quarter and year so you can dissect the numbers and make comparisons.
KPI - these key performance indicators will set the specific goals of what are you trying to achieve each month, quarter and/or year and then you can work backwards to calculate how you will reach those outcomes.
Time - how much time are you and your team spending on certain tasks and is there anything you feel like you can automate, eliminate or delegate for your list of to do’s that will free up time and space in your calendar?
COMMUNITY
Reflecting back on the last 2 decades of my video production career, I can hands down say that community has been one of the biggest factor of growth. I recognized early on that if there are pain-points within my business and/or life and I was craving change, I had to take personal responsibility to put myself in rooms with people who I strived to be more like in order to gather the answers to the questions of change that was swirling in my mind. A dear friend of mind coined the phrase, “you are not meant to do business or life alone” and I could not agree more. The more you lean in to community, the more abundance you will recognize in all areas of your life. That is, if you’re clear on selecting the appropriate community that maintains the values and goals aligned with your own.
That said, think of 3 organizations, networking groups or institutions that are home to people you want to be more like and make an intentional effort to show up each month. For me, I seek networking groups with successful female entrepreneurs, organizations and charities that support youth or disabled, and fitness or wellness centers that are home to like-minded people who take ownership in creating a healthy lifestyle.
GROWTH
I recently attended a business development event where Tom Hatten, founder of Mountainside Fitness was one of the speakers. During his presentation he mentioned something along the lines of “if your business is not evolving, it is dying, you just don’t know the date yet.” This rang a bell and reminded me how important it is to never stay stagnant and always seek ways to create change and evolution within my companies. I never want business to feel the same. I honestly feel like my team and I thrive off of challenges and expanding our limits with each production. Our industry changes rapidly with cameras and other technical gear, it’s important for us to be ahead of the curve and know what is new in the market so we can produce a product that sets our clients ahead of others in their industry. So I challenge you, what can you learn this next year that will push your business to the next level in your industry?
It doesn’t need to take a “new year” in order to reflect on these intentions within your business, but it sure is a fun and timely excuse to do so. I’d love to hear how you are going to implement some of the ideas I have shared here within your own business. Please leave a comment below so we can stay connected!
Here’s to kicking off 2023! Wishing you all the best!
Nothing but good vibes,
Carly Gilleland
Founder & CEO
The good vibe media & studios