Creators tend to fall into two categories: those who love and embrace vlogging, and those who’d rather disappear from the internet entirely than sit down for some good, old fashioned face-to-camera talking.
Vlogging can feel personal (scary, even) if you’re more used to scripted videos or filming in the safety of your own home. It also often gets a reputation for being the exclusive tool of lifestyle creators… which is not the case.
There are millions of creators who make personal content, alongside their usual stuff. And while it can feel more comfortable to stick to what we know, vlogging is a great way to get people invested in the person behind the camera. Do that and you’re guaranteed a repeat audience for the end of time.
So how do we get comfortable being personal? This month’s creators have a few tips. From recruiting a filming-buddy to celebrating your channel’s growth, here are five creators who’ve mastered the art of a good vlog, and how you can learn from them. Let’s get into it.
Life of Jason: Start where you are
Nine years ago, Jason started professional film making. This year, he began his own YouTube channel. From his ‘Life of a Creative Dad’ series which shows him balancing family, client work and his own personal dreams, to ‘Project 100’ on Instagram where he shares short reels to grow himself and his following, Jason is building success on his own terms and it’s inspiring.
The video → The reality of starting YouTube at 28 years old.
Why I love it → Addressing the feeling of "starting later than planned" at 28 creates immediate emotional connection with viewers facing similar creative hesitation or career transitions.
Get inspired → Keep your audience watching with a killer soundtrack. Jason mixes up his audio regularly, switching between ambient sound, lo-fi backing tracks and powerful montage music.
David & Yasmin: Recruit a friend
What’s better than a vlogger? Arguably, a vlogging duo. David and Yasmin are your ultimate content powerhouse. Their channel is a mix of dancing choreography and lifestyle videos which always feels unscripted and authentic. Watching is like hanging out with some (really cool) friends.
The video → A day exploring niche and hidden Tokyo spots.
Why I love it → Yasmin’s "secret mission" to buy an all-black Murakami plushie breaks up the standard "walk-and-talk" flow of a travel video by adding a playful secondary storyline.
Get inspired → Inviting a friend on a film-date can create a funny, unscripted ease to your content. It’s just this kind of unscripted edge that gets people invested.
Jaquan Shuford: Let your audience in
“I want to give you all the good, the bad, the ugly,” Jaquan says. His lifestyle vlogs do just that, taking you everywhere from holidays abroad to gym sessions, 5:00AM work calls and real chats in his car. What ties these moments together is his authenticity. Jaquan pulls back the curtain on balancing life with content creation. He is real and that’s what keeps you watching.
The video → A day in the life of building good habits.
Why I love it → Jaquan starts a real conversation about burnout, therapy, and showing up through stress. It’s this that grounds the video in authentic self-reflection rather than overly polished "hustle culture”.
Get inspired → Show the unscripted moments. Remember, your audience is following you for you, not a hyper-polished imitation of someone else.
My Debug Diaries: Share the slower moments
Need some good content to unwind to? Whether she’s filming daily routines like brewing coffee and running errands, or snapshots of life in Tokyo, Trang hits the mark. Her videos feel like quiet observations rather than overly-structured or flashy productions. Everything is captured with a super considered, yet minimal approach to editing which helps keep it cozy.
The video → A chill day-in-the-life of a software engineer.
Why I love it → Rather than relying heavily on voice-over commentary, Trang lets the soft sounds of her environment and long, uninterrupted shots do the storytelling.
Get inspired → There are hundreds of ways to tell a good story, and commentaries are just one. Experiment outside of the standard voice-over format and see how much you can communicate with simple shots and ambient sound.
love, michelle: Celebrate your growth
Michelle has mastered the art of the digital diary. Whether she’s speaking on how to find inspiration or the secret to consistency, each of her entries have the same beautiful, buttery lighting and intimate framing that keeps you invested. You want to hear more about her journey as a creator and are backing her every step of the way.
The video → A “digital time capsule” of how far she’s come as a creator
Why I love it → Rather than getting bogged down in metrics, Michelle uses them as an anchor to reflect on personal growth. It’s a positive way to think about growth and also get your audience invested in it.
Get inspired → Keep an eye out for personal milestones. Whether that’s 1000 subscribers (like love michelle), a new car or finishing school, moments like these are a perfect ‘in’ for opening up more personally about your life.
Pick up the camera and start filming
Sometimes all it takes to get comfortable filming yourself is practice. I’ve shared 5 creators who have put the work in and hopefully they’ll inspire you to do the same!
If you need more inspo, I write these Monthly Cuts every month, with new creators and new learnings. Check out this one on structuring for effortless storytelling, or head over to my Instagram, @beyond.the.cut.podcast, where I talk to real creators (like you) on what makes their content great.
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