Just over a decade ago the idea of listing ‘YouTuber’ as your full-time occupation was unheard of.
But in such a small space of time a group of Australian men and women have changed that culture, creating fame from sharing their innermost thoughts and lifestyle choices on video.
And while some of them are now on Forbes’ rich list and jetting around the world on paid-for sponsored trips, they all started with clunky camera equipment and awkward greetings.
Here, FEMAIL takes a look back at those very first film takes that went on to launch lucrative careers.
YouTubers Shani Grimmond and Chloe Szepanowski – who are best friend in real life – pose in matching outfits
SHANNON HARRIS
She started her YouTube channel Shaaanxo a little over eight years ago after seeing how successfully a number of American personalities were at turning a profit with their videos.
And while she does live across the pond in New Zealand, 26-year-old Shannon can thank Down Under for a number of her 3.1 million subscribers.
She started her career with a typical ‘get to know me’ video of 50 questions and uploaded almost daily with the various outfits she was wearing.
Her focus turned to makeup as she began gaining traction and she now shares between two and three tutorials every week.
Shannon was named one of Forbes’ top influencers among the likes of Zoe Sugg and Jeffree Star in 2017.
BEFORE AND AFTER: She started her YouTube channel Shaaanxo a little over eight years ago after seeing how successfully a number of American personalities were at turning a profit with their videos
THEN AND NOW: She started her career with a typical ‘get to know me’ video of 50 questions and uploaded almost daily with the various outfits she was wearing
Shannon was named one of Forbes’ top influencers among the likes of Zoe Sugg and Jeffree Star in 2017
BRITTNEY LEE SAUNDERS
This bubbly and bright blonde from Newcastle, NSW, has always had a penchant for sharing the unexpected online – everything from ‘weirdos at her work’ to ‘ten dating dont’s’.
But with a little over one million followers at the time of writing, Brittney, 25, has cemented herself as a frontrunner in the Australian YouTubing game.
She enjoys sharing makeup tutorials using drugstore and high-end labels so all of her followers can potentially unlock the look should they choose.
BEFORE AND AFTER: This bubbly and bright blonde from Newcastle, NSW, has always had a penchant for sharing the unexpected online – everything from ‘weirdos at her work’ to ‘ten dating dont’s’
THEN AND NOW: She enjoys sharing makeup tutorials using drugstore and high-end labels so all of her followers can potentially unlock the look should they choose
But with a little over one million followers at the time of writing, Brittney, 25, has cemented herself as a frontrunner in the Australian YouTubing game
LAUREN CURTIS
Lauren was one of the very first Australian YouTubers to transition from it being a hobby to a full-time gig.
The 25-year-old from Perth used her charismatic personality to entice followers with makeup and fake tanning tips and tricks.
She now has 3.6 million subscribers to her channel and has been incredibly candid about the industry, particularly the use of Photoshop and editing apps to change the very nature of your body for a picture.
BEFORE AND AFTER: Lauren was one of the very first Australian YouTubers to transition from it being a hobby to a full-time gig
THEN AND NOW: The 25-year-old from Perth used her charismatic personality to entice followers with makeup and fake tanning tips and tricks
She now has 3.6 million subscribers to her channel and has been incredibly candid about the industry, particularly the use of photoshop and editing apps to change the very nature of your body for a picture
SHANI GRIMMOND
Shani has been very open about her journey through social media – and plastic surgery – in recent years.
But before the 21-year-old had her lips, breasts and teeth done she was just your average Brisbane bikini babe frolicking on the sand with her good friend, Chloe.
Now 1.4 million followers later and the socialite is at the height of her success, often being paid to travel to Bora Bora, the Maldives and the USA to promote iconic makeup brands like Benefit and MAC.
BEFORE AND AFTER: Shani has been very open about her journey through social media – and plastic surgery – in recent years
THEN AND NOW: But before the 21-year-old had her lips, breasts and teeth done she was just your average Brisbane bikini babe frolicking on the sand with her good friend, Chloe (left)
NOW: Now 1.4 million followers later and the socialite is at the height of her success, often being paid to travel to Bora Bora, the Maldives and the USA to promote iconic makeup brands like Benefit and MAC
TAMMY HEMBROW
Brisbane-based mother-of-two Tammy was once just a newly pregnant mum to her would-be son Wolf, posting mirror selfies and counting down the days until his birth.
Now 8.5 million fans later and the bonafide fitness model runs a booming activewear company named after her daughter, Saskia, runs an app and posts weekly vlogs with her family.
The bombshell has also found worldwide fame after Khloe Kardashian revealed Tammy ‘motivated me on my fitness journey for longer than she is probably aware of’.
BEFORE AND AFTER: Brisbane-based mother-of-two Tammy was once just a newly pregnant mum to her would-be son Wolf, posting mirror selfies and counting down the days until his birth
THEN AND NOW: Pregnant with Wolf at the time, she is pictured left pregnant and eating fruit from her lap – but 8.5 million fans later and the bonafide fitness model runs a booming activewear company named after her daughter, Saskia
THEN AND NOW: The bombshell has also found worldwide fame after Khloe Kardashian revealed Tammy ‘motivated me on my fitness journey for longer than she is probably aware of’
DANI MANSUTTI
She has now migrated to the United Kingdom where half her family is based, but for the start of her career Danielle called Melbourne home.
The 23-year-old posts a variety of hair and makeup tutorials with a strong focus on body positivity and mental health.
She has more than 1.5 million subscribers and while her initial pathway looked to be heading down a graphic designer path, she now calls YouTube her career.
BEFORE AND AFTER: She has now migrated to the United Kingdom where half her family is based, but for the start of her career Danielle called Melbourne hom
THEN AND NOW: The 23-year-old posts a variety of hair and makeup tutorials with a strong focus on body positivity and mental health
She has more than 1.5 million subscribers and while her initial pathway looked to be heading down a graphic designer path, she now calls YouTube her career
CHLOE MORELLO
She’s the hilariously honest brunette who has worked with iconic brands like Benefit, Clinique and Maybelline.
The 27-year-old from Sydney’s famed Bondi region started her YouTube channel when she was struggling with acne and body image issues – sharing with her small following how to solve each of these issues.
But now she boasts 2.5 million subscribers and is married to her ‘soulmate’ Sebastian Maximiliano. The pair spend their time in between NSW and Canada, where he is from.
BEFORE AND AFTER: She’s the hilariously honest brunette who has worked with iconic brands like Benefit, Clinique and Maybelline
THEN AND NOW: The 27-year-old from Sydney’s famed Bondi region started her YouTube channel when she was struggling with acne and body image issues – sharing with her small following how to solve each of these issues
But now she boasts 2.5 million subscribers and is married to her ‘soulmate’ Sebastian Maximiliano. The pair spend their time in between NSW and Canada, where he is from
SJANA EARP
She’s the devoted yogi with legs that appear to never end.
But this model-like YouTuber was just a sprightly teenager when she uploaded her incredible bikini collection online.
The Gold Coast-based 23-year-old now works as a photojournalist documenting her bendy moves on Instagram and attending wellness retreats, with a blossoming romance with Harry Styles once the talk of the town.
BEFORE AND AFTER: But this model-like YouTuber was just a sprightly teenager when she uploaded her incredible bikini collection online
THEN AND NOW: The Gold Coast-based 23-year-old now works as a photojournalist documenting her bendy moves on Instagram and attending wellness retreats, with a blossoming romance with Harry Styles once the talk of the town
Sjana Earp is the devoted yogi with legs that appear to never end (pictured above in a pose)
MICHAEL FINCH
This 22-year-old hit the scene and grew a following faster than many of those that came before him.
But with 900,000 people tuning in to watch his makeup tutorials on YouTube, Michael is a force to be reckoned with.
He has struck up a close friend with fellow YouTuber Shani Grimmond and they are frequently spotted at parties together in Brisbane.
BEFORE AND AFTER: This 22-year-old hit the scene and grew a following faster than many of those that came before him
THEN AND NOW: But with 900,000 people tuning in to watch his makeup tutorials on YouTube, Michael is a force to be reckoned with
He has struck up a close friend with fellow YouTuber Shani Grimmond and they are frequently spotted at parties together in Brisbane