THE couple in this picture are arguably the best-known celebrity couple from Cork. But if you don’t follow their antics on YouTube, you will probably have never heard of them.
Jonathan Joly and Anna Saconne have made  a living from broadcasting their entire lives on the hugely popular website and millions of people around the world have tuned in.
Now they are about to take their YouTube antics to a new level and give their global fans a treat — by showing the birth of their first child, due in September.
“We are really excited about being pregnant and the imminent birth,” says Jonathan, who intends to film as much of the momentous day as he can.
“I’ve spoken to our consultant at CUH and he has told us what is allowed and what isn’t allowed.
“Obviously, I don’t want my wife’s insides on the internet. But I do want to record that precious moment that can never be repeated, when the child comes into the world and is handed to me.
“I want the emotional impact of that unique moment to be in our lives forever — and in other people’s lives who would welcome it.
“When the camera is pointed at me I want that initial life-changing reaction.”
Jonathan and Anna live in Blackrock, and every day the couple upload a 20-minute video about their daily lives. They now have more than 13,000 subscribers from all over the world.

They are the only people in Ireland making a living from simply documenting their everyday lives to the world via the website.
Google have a partner programme where people contribute original videos and receive a slice of the advertising revenue.

“We are totally blessed to be making a living out of something that is so normal to us,” says Jonathan. “While it was a slow build, the online business is ticking over nicely. The first experiment took place in our kitchen while we rustled up dinner. The video clips are 30 minutes a day, filmed over a 24-hour period.”
Do Jonathan and Anna find the cyber-space interest in their lives intrusive?
“Intrusion is the nature of the business,” says Jonathan, “and so are people’s opinions. If we were to censor material the exercise would be pointless.  Creation of interaction is positive and we welcome that. And yes, we are open to scrutiny which can be emotionally challenging sometimes.”
Jonathan says making YouTube videos is not like ‘reality’ TV: “The people who view them on the internet are smart and savvy. You can’t fool them at all with the content.”

Read the full interview in Tuesday’s Cork Evening Echo