PR Tip: How to Look Better on Camera – The Science Behind Smiling
- tmanon1
- Sep 3
- 3 min read
Are you here because you want to improve your on-camera look? We tackle everything from handling tough questions and PR crises to 10-second fixes you can make immediately.
By: MMM Editorial Team
One simple, yet powerful way to look better on camera is to just smile more. Unless you're discussing something serious or delivering tough news, a quick shift into a smile can act as both a visual hook and a warm invitation to your audience.
Why Smiling Works—According to Science
Our brains are literally wired to notice smiles.
When you smile, your brain releases "feel‑good" chemicals such as dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin—neurotransmitters that reduce stress, elevate mood, and even relieve pain. Recent neuroscience also points out that smiling can lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, reinforcing why that simple expression can feel like a natural mood booster Vogue.
Beyond the internal boosts, smiling also does wonders socially. It increases trust, approachability, and attractiveness, making you appear confident and competent—qualities that matter especially when you're on camera or in an interview. A smile can be a silent yet powerful communicator of warmth and reliability. Most importantly, it can also be a tonal indicator or visual meaning maker for your audience. Before you've even launched into the excellent work you're doing, a smile can help you connect and prepare your audience to hear good news or something celebratory for example.
Smiling Is Catchy and Connected
Let's skip all the sales talk or using smiles to manipulate people and get into the real science behind using smiling as a communication and real relationship building tool. It can be an easy way to create a new connection, quickly reaffirm an old one or build trust.
Smiles are contagious.
Mirror neurons in our brains often cause us to automatically smile back when someone smiles at us—creating an immediate sense of connection and rapport. This synchronization doesn’t just feel nice—it helps build interpersonal bonds and makes conversations more engaging. Which means when you smile at someone and they smile back, they're also releasing key neurotransmitters and this can give your work an edge of more trust.
