In a time when video is the medium for makers and entrepreneurs to share their story, one thing often remains overlooked: how do you, as a creative entrepreneur, truly convey your unique vision through video? Emmely Brand, conceptual videographer and founder of The Creative Circle, knows better than anyone how big that challenge can be. With years of experience as a videographer for authentic brands, she decided to bundle her knowledge into an in-depth learning program. Not just a workshop, but a carefully designed journey where creators learn to find and translate their visual voice into powerful videos. In this blog post, Emmely tells you everything about this program and shares her best tips & tricks along with her experience with The Playground.
The Creative Circle: a learning program for custom creative videos
“Many creative entrepreneurs are full of ideas,” says Emmely. “But when it comes to moving images, they get stuck. They lack the technical know-how or the confidence to do it themselves. That’s where The Creative Circle came from: a place where you learn to make videos that truly match who you are as a brand.”
The Creative Circle consists of eight lessons, culminating in a shared shoot day at The Playground, the inspiring daylight studio of Atelier Oost Amsterdam. That’s where everything comes together: the theory, the vision, and above all, the practice. “That live day is essential,” Emmely explains. “It’s not just a styled shoot where everyone goes home with the same footage. Each participant works on their own shoot, completely tailored to their brand story: from branding videos to interviews or even campaign imagery. It’s about learning to create what suits you.”
And they don’t do it alone. Emmely offers intensive, personal guidance—from concept to final edit. "I truly look with you. Not to force you into a mold, but to bring out your unique style. Through doing, experimenting, reflecting. And most of all: by learning to trust your intuition.”
The Creative Circle consists of eight lessons, culminating in a shared shoot day at The Playground, the inspiring daylight studio of Atelier Oost Amsterdam. That’s where everything comes together: the theory, the vision, and above all, the practice. “That live day is essential,” Emmely explains. “It’s not just a styled shoot where everyone goes home with the same footage. Each participant works on their own shoot, completely tailored to their brand story: from branding videos to interviews or even campaign imagery. It’s about learning to create what suits you.”
And they don’t do it alone. Emmely offers intensive, personal guidance—from concept to final edit. "I truly look with you. Not to force you into a mold, but to bring out your unique style. Through doing, experimenting, reflecting. And most of all: by learning to trust your intuition.”
Creating videos in natural light: The Playground as a creative boost
The choice for The Playground as the location is no coincidence. Emmely: “Everything has to align for me—the atmosphere, the space, the light. And The Playground breathes creativity. The natural daylight brings a certain playfulness into motion. Participants feel free to create, explore, play. That freedom is invaluable in a learning process like this.”
And that daylight does more than just look beautiful. “During the shoot day, magical moments arose because people could literally work with the light. Shadow lines, reflections, natural contrasts—it added an extra dimension to the visuals. You see people blossom when they realize they can create such images themselves.”
And that daylight does more than just look beautiful. “During the shoot day, magical moments arose because people could literally work with the light. Shadow lines, reflections, natural contrasts—it added an extra dimension to the visuals. You see people blossom when they realize they can create such images themselves.”
Storytelling with soul
What makes a video powerful? According to Emmely, it’s not expensive gear or flashy edits. “Technique is the foundation, of course. But a video that truly resonates comes from making conscious choices. What do you show, and what do you deliberately leave out? The soul of a video lies in how honestly and clearly it tells your story.”
Her approach is full of softness, but also precision. “I encourage people to let go of what’s ‘supposed to be.’ Create what brings you joy. Only then do you arrive at visuals that truly resonate with your audience.”
What makes The Creative Circle so unique is its structure: small groups of no more than six participants, deep guidance, and a clear vision. “I’m not about mass,” Emmely says. “There’s power in the small. In attention. In real connection. And that’s what I want to pass on to other makers who want to create their own program: do it your way. Don’t be led by formats or expectations. Build it from the inside out. That’s when it will feel right—for you and your participants.”
What makes a video powerful? According to Emmely, it’s not expensive gear or flashy edits. “Technique is the foundation, of course. But a video that truly resonates comes from making conscious choices. What do you show, and what do you deliberately leave out? The soul of a video lies in how honestly and clearly it tells your story.”
Her approach is full of softness, but also precision. “I encourage people to let go of what’s ‘supposed to be.’ Create what brings you joy. Only then do you arrive at visuals that truly resonate with your audience.”
What makes The Creative Circle so unique is its structure: small groups of no more than six participants, deep guidance, and a clear vision. “I’m not about mass,” Emmely says. “There’s power in the small. In attention. In real connection. And that’s what I want to pass on to other makers who want to create their own program: do it your way. Don’t be led by formats or expectations. Build it from the inside out. That’s when it will feel right—for you and your participants.”
Why setting and light are essential for creative growth
The program doesn’t end with a beautiful video. It offers participants something much more valuable: autonomy. Confidence. And a way to visually tell their brand story in a way that suits them. And that process unfolds in a space that sparks creative fire. “The Playground isn’t just a location,” Emmely concludes. “It becomes part of the learning process. The light, the calm, the energy—everything helps transform content into experience.”With The Creative Circle, Emmely Brand offers far more than technical knowledge. She creates an environment where makers learn to trust their own eye. Where video isn’t just a medium, but a form of self-expression. And where daylight—both literally and figuratively—creates space to be seen, exactly as you are.
About Emmely Brand
Emmely Brand is a conceptual videographer who works at the intersection of brand identity, aesthetics, and storytelling. She helps heart-driven entrepreneurs and creative brands tell their story through videos that are intuitive, poetic, and strategic. Her background from the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam and her love for small moments form the foundation of her visual signature: videos with character, originality, and—perhaps most importantly—soul.
Emmely Brand is a conceptual videographer who works at the intersection of brand identity, aesthetics, and storytelling. She helps heart-driven entrepreneurs and creative brands tell their story through videos that are intuitive, poetic, and strategic. Her background from the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam and her love for small moments form the foundation of her visual signature: videos with character, originality, and—perhaps most importantly—soul.
