Methods, systems, and devices for in-display camera activation are described. The method includes receiving a request to activate a camera of the device, identifying a start of frame marker associated with activating the camera in response to the request, and emitting a signal to a display of the device in response to the identified start of frame marker, where the emitted signal triggers the display to transition a set of liquid crystal elements of the display from a display mode to a camera mode for camera operation.