On-Camera Interview Tips: How to Prepare for a Filmed Interview or portrait
If you have been photographed or interviewed before, you may remember feeling nervous as the camera rolled. If this is your first interview, you may have questions about the process. Either way, the goal is the same. A relaxed and enjoyable experience leads to the best results.
Here are a few simple ways to feel prepared.
Before You Arrive
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Arrive early. Give yourself time to relax so you do not feel rushed or anxious. You can also use the restroom to check your hair or makeup before your portrait.
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Choose your outfit in advance. You will not have time to change ties, glasses, or blazers once the shoot begins. Wear something that feels comfortable and confident.
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Wear solid colors. Avoid white. Solid colors look best on camera and help keep the focus on you.
During The Interview or Portrait Session
Producers ask questions for specific reasons. Their goal is to guide a natural conversation, not to create pressure. When working with us, you can expect the following.
Your footage is never shared unedited. Full interviews and outtakes are only seen by the photographer and editor. Do not worry about repeating yourself, pausing, or correcting a sentence.
You will receive direction. We may ask you to take a breath or repeat a thought. This helps us capture a range of natural expressions and angles.
Previews are not shown before editing. This allows you to stay focused on the message rather than how you look or sound.
Not all interviews appear in the final video. This does not reflect the quality of your interview. Sometimes the story changes or the final video needs to be shorter.
One Last Thing
Do not stress. We will work to make sure your personality comes through, even with limited time. We truly appreciate your willingness to participate and look forward to working with you.
Hi, I’m Margo. I’m a visual storyteller specializing in photography and video for nonprofit organizations in Southeastern Pennsylvania. I founded my company in 2019 to continue working with the people I met during my time at the Philadelphia Inquirer. This often includes direct collaboration with creative or PR directors at healthcare, arts, or education organizations.
I work as a creative partner on editorial and marketing campaigns and focus on capturing truthful stories that share the legacy of your organization. Real moments build lasting trust with your audience. By blending the core principles of photojournalism with modern audio and visual techniques, we can tell truthful stories that stand the test of time.
My approach speaks to clients who choose to cast real people over actors in their marketing campaigns.
It’s for those who plan to use the work as part of a larger narrative—whether in a publication, campaign, or annual report.
These are timeless stories meant to be seen by large audiences.
My work has been featured in People, The New York Times, NPPA News Photographer Magazine, the Associated Press, and The Philadelphia Inquirer, among others. Some of my frequent clients include Penn Medicine, Drexel University, Berks History Center, Curtis Institute of Music, Stage Step, and The Philadelphia Orchestra.
I’m a proud member of the Professional Photographers Association, the National Press Photographers Association, the Freelancers Union, and the Video Consortium. You can read more about my photographic ethics here.
When I’m not behind the camera, you can find me renovating my Victorian home in Birdsboro, Pennsylvania.
