Melbourne couple Nikki and Jamie Perkins met on age-old social media site Myspace nine years ago.
At the time, Nikki, 28, was a successful model in New York, working for top-tier agency IMG, and Jamie, 34, was a cinematographer moving into the realm of music video production.
The pair now run a very successful YouTube channel, followed by an astounding 1.4 million people, and raise their two-year-old daughter Ava.
Social media stars Nikki and Jamie Perkins reveal how they ‘accidentally’ started a YouTube channel followed by 1.4 MILLION fans – and it took just one romantic video
But before they welcomed a little bundle of joy into their life, the duo ‘accidentally’ started a profitable social media network – and it was all because of one little video.
‘We literally fell into it. It was never a planned thing,’ Jamie told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Six years ago I wanted to propose to Nikki… and she used to watch all of those amazing proposal videos online – the ones that go viral.
‘So I knew I needed to do something epic. I created a video that played in Federation Square, and Nikki sat in front of it to watch. My friend filmed it and we uploaded it to YouTube to share with the family.’
‘Six years ago I wanted to propose to Nikki… and she used to watch all of those amazing proposal videos online – the ones that go viral,’ Jamie said
And while it was just meant to be there so friends could enjoy watching their big moment, it quickly garnered incredible interest from the online community, racking up 4.6 million likes.
‘It went crazy. And then people in the comments wanted to know who we are – so vlogging came out of that,’ Jamie said.
Their wedding video went even better with eight million likes – but it’s never been about the views for the couple.
‘People assume vloggers are sharing everything but we keep a lot of our life to ourselves. We’re just having fun and it’ll be great to look back in 10-20 years and see what we were doing,’ he commented.
According to Forbes, YouTube stars with one million to three million followers can command up to $150,000 for a video partnership.
And while it was just meant to be there so friends could enjoy watching their big moment, it quickly garnered incredible interest from the online community, wracking up 4.6 million likes
‘It went crazy. And then people in the comments wanted to know who we are – so vlogging came out of that,’ Jamie said
Despite not filming their entire day-to-day activities, the family of three still take time to switch off from social media (Ava, left, and Nikki, right)
Despite not filming their entire day-to-day activities, the family of three still take time to switch off from social media.
Their latest video, which also focuses on Nikki’s second pregnancy, sees the family challenge themselves to engage in playtime with their daughter Ava instead of being glued to a screen.
‘Ava actually hasn’t played with LEGO before so we’ve brought along her very first set,’ Jamie announces in the sweet video.
Jamie explains that LEGO have just launched a ‘Do Not Disturb Playtime’ campaign which encourages Aussies to turn off their phones during the hours of 5pm-8pm, and play with their kids.
Their latest video, which also focuses on Nikki’s second pregnancy, sees the family challenge themselves to engage in playtime with their daughter Ava instead of being glued to a screen
Nikki’s baby bump is on full display in the video footage – with Jamie confirming their second daughter is due ‘any day now’
‘I’m way too distracted by my mobile so I’m looking forward to taking part,’ he said.
Nikki’s baby bump is on full display in the video footage – with Jamie confirming their second daughter is due ‘any day now’.
‘I can’t wait to meet my next kid. Ava’s so full of energy and a bit of a sneakerhead like me so I’m looking forward to another one!’ Jamie added.