Your guide to getting real people on camera for impactful brand videos.

What makes a brand truly connect with its audience? 

Is it beautiful visuals or perfect scripts, or is it simply authenticity.

If you have noticed, more and more brands are turning the camera toward their own people. Employees. Clients. Leaders. Real faces, real voices. 

But unfortunately, people are busy. CEOs are busy running companies (and sometimes running from meetings), product managers are eternally stuck in an infinite loop of ‘build it-break it-fix it-repeat’, brand managers are making life-altering decisions like ‘should this button be blue or slightly bluer’… Long story short — everyone’s busy, and the poor social media team? They’re just busy getting yelled at in all directions. 

Getting people to feature in videos is tough. Nobody really says no — they just enthusiastically agree… and then vanish into meeting rooms, deadlines, and mysteriously ‘urgent tasks’. The project? Quietly gets shelved.

So how do you make these busy, camera-shy employees get excited about your dream video?

Because you and I know that everyone wants their 15 seconds of fame — as long as it doesn’t involve rehearsing lines or looking awkward on camera.

At FlowInk Pictures, we’ve worked with everyone from CEOs to first-time interns, helping them feel confident, natural, and (surprisingly) even enjoy being filmed. In this blog, we’re sharing the approach that’s helped us succeed with getting real people on camera—and making them shine. Have a look at the video produced by FlowInk Pictures with real people.

Why Getting Real People on Camera Matters

Let’s start with the obvious: people connect with people. No matter how slick your ad or how polished your script, viewers trust real humans more than stock models or voiceover artists.

Here’s what real people add to a video:

• Authenticity: Unscripted responses feel genuine
• Relatability: Viewers see themselves in the speaker
• Trust: Testimonials and employee insights carry more weight
• Connection: Faces create emotional impact

Videos featuring actual team members or customers often outperform high-budget productions with actors—especially on platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and internal portals.

But What If They’re Camera-Shy?

Here’s the catch: most people are not comfortable on camera. They freeze. They overthink. They ramble. And they almost always say, “I hate how I look/sound on video.”

This is where our real work begins. And no—it doesn’t involve cue cards, teleprompters, or fake enthusiasm. It starts with empathy.

Step 1: Ditch the Script

The first rule in getting real people on camera? Don’t hand them a script. Unless you want a robotic delivery with zero emotion.

Instead, prep them with a conversation. Share the goal of the video and a few talking points. Let them speak in their own words. You’ll be surprised how natural and powerful their voice can be—once they’re not trying to “perform.”

Step 2: Create a Comfortable Space

The fewer people in the room, the better. We’ve seen huge differences just by:

• Replacing formal lights with natural daylight
• Shooting in a familiar office setting
• Using small, non-intimidating camera setups
• Starting with casual conversation, not the “action” call

Comfort translates to confidence. And confidence translates to a better video.

Step 3: Ask Better Questions

Avoid yes/no or corporate-style questions. Instead, ask open-ended, personal ones:

• “What do you love most about your work here?”
• “Can you share a moment you felt proud to be part of the team?”
• “What’s one thing new employees should know?”
• “How did this product help you personally?”

These spark honest answers—and those are video gold.

Step 4: Embrace Imperfections

A slight stumble or laugh doesn’t ruin a video. It humanizes it.

We encourage people to speak how they normally would. Our editing team can always trim pauses or merge takes. But what we never edit out is genuine energy. That’s what makes a message stick.

Step 5: Use B-Roll to Take Off Pressure

For those truly camera-shy, we suggest a hybrid approach:

• Use voiceover from the person while showing them in action
• Capture candid shots of them working, interacting, or smiling
• Use dynamic cutaways to reduce screen time pressure

It’s still them in the video—but without the stress of direct-to-camera delivery.

Step 6: Choose the Right Distribution Channel

Some people feel more pressure when they know their video is going public. That’s okay. Be clear about the intended audience and usage.

Internal videos? Clients are often more relaxed.
LinkedIn? Give them a heads-up and a preview.
Instagram Reels? Shorter clips with friendly edits work best.

Tailoring your video to the right platform helps you manage expectations—and results.

Step 7: Show the Final Edit Before Publishing

Always let the person see the final cut. This builds trust, reassures them, and often makes them more open to doing future videos.

You’ll be surprised how often someone says: “Wait, I actually look confident!”

At FlowInk Pictures, This Is Our Everyday

We know how tough it is to get non-professionals on screen. But we also know how rewarding it is—because some of the most powerful videos we’ve made have come from people who didn’t think they could do it.

From team culture films to client testimonials and CEO messages—we’ve helped real people become camera-ready (without turning them into someone they’re not).

Final Thought: It’s Not About Perfection—It’s About Presence

Getting real people on camera isn’t about flawless delivery. It’s about honesty, relatability, and warmth. The things that actually make someone listen—and remember. 

If you’re trying to showcase your team, build trust with your audience, or share an authentic voice, real people are your strongest asset. And we’re here to help them shine.

Ready to Bring Your People On Screen?

Let FlowInk Pictures guide your team from camera-shy to camera-ready. With our relaxed filming process, thoughtful direction, and polished edits, we help real people look and sound their best—on screen and beyond.

📧 Email us: [email protected]
📞 Call us: 9625500791
🌐 Visit: www.flowinkpictures.com