You need visuals that make guests feel the salt in the air before they book. These five creators deliver exactly that.
The New Wave of Hospitality Content
Hotels, retreats, and brands no longer rely on static room shots. They need motion, story, and the feeling of being in the water. Surf and underwater videographers bring that energy. They shoot from the lineup, the pool, and the cliff edge. The result is social-first content that stops the scroll and drives bookings. The US market is crowded, but the best creators combine technical skill with genuine outdoor experience. They know when to paddle out and when to wait. That instinct separates a pretty clip from a powerful one.
How We Evaluated These Creators
We looked at service scope, pricing clarity, local fit, and production style. Service scope covers planning, shooting, and editing. Pricing clarity means how openly they discuss rates and packages. Local fit considers whether they know the region and its conditions. Production style looks at the gear, the approach, and the final look. Each business stood out in different ways. Some offer full agency support. Others bring a single-operator, in-water perspective. We noted what makes each one distinct without pitting them against each other.
Here is a quick look at five creators who can turn your property or brand into a visual story. Each brings a different strength to the table.
| Provider | Best For |
|---|---|
| Chris Bryan Films | High-end commercial and film production |
| Yonatan Levin — Photographer & Filmmaker | Ocean, Adventure & Wellness | End-to-end social-first content for hotels and retreats |
| Chris In the Water Photography & Media | Authentic cold-water surf and landscape photography |
| Beast Agency | Full-service agency production with a director roster |
| Arturo+Lauren | Luxury hotel and resort videography |
The Five Worth Knowing
#1 Chris Bryan Films
A screenshot of the Chris Bryan Films website.
Chris Bryan is a world-renowned cinematographer based in Sydney, Australia. He has spent 15 years at the cutting edge of the surf industry. His work spans feature films, commercials, and television. He specializes in high-speed cinematography and owns custom underwater housings for Phantom Flex 4K, Red Weapon 8K, and Arri Alexa Mini. If you need cinematic action sequences for a hotel brand campaign, his reel speaks for itself. He has worked with clients like Breitling, Samsung, and Nissan. See his full portfolio at chrisbryanfilms.com.
#2 Yonatan Levin — Photographer & Filmmaker | Ocean, Adventure & Wellness
A screenshot of the Yonatan Levin — Photographer & Filmmaker | Ocean, Adventure & Wellness website.
Yonatan Levin plans, shoots, and edits everything himself. You deal with one person from the first idea to the final files. He specializes in ocean, adventure, and wellness imagery for brands, hotels, retreats, and athletes. His client work includes Rams Resort in Sri Lanka and Swift, a sunglasses brand. He shoots surf, underwater, highline, climbing, and yoga. He delivers vertical and horizontal cuts ready for Instagram and TikTok. His personal practice in extreme sports means he knows where to be before the action happens. Visit yonatanlevin.com to see his reels and photos.
#3 Chris In the Water Photography & Media
A screenshot of the Chris In the Water Photography & Media website.
Chris is a self-taught photographer based in Portland, Oregon. He specializes in surf, underwater, and landscape photography. He is willing to dive into freezing water and trek deep into the wilderness for the shot. His journey began with a GoPro and evolved to a full underwater camera housing. He works with surfers, kneeboarders, paddleboarders, and bodyboarders of all ages and skill levels. If you need authentic Pacific Northwest surf imagery, he is a strong fit. Learn more at chrisinthewater.com.
#4 Beast Agency
A screenshot of the Beast Agency website.
Beast Agency is a UK-based production company with a dedicated underwater filming and surf photography service. They offer branded content, commercials, corporate video, and social-first content. Their portfolio includes work for British Airways and Burger King. They have a roster of directors and a full post-production team. If you need a larger crew for a multi-day hotel campaign, they can scale. Their industry page covers underwater and surf filming in detail. Explore their services at beast.agency.
#5 Arturo+Lauren
A screenshot of the Arturo+Lauren website.
Arturo+Lauren are international videographers specializing in luxury hospitality. They create cinematic hotel videography that transforms spaces into stories. Their work spans boutique hotels in Mallorca to urban retreats in Hong Kong. They combine commercial polish with lifestyle authenticity. They understand that modern hospitality marketing demands more than beautiful spaces. If your property needs a refined, architectural approach to video, they deliver. See their hospitality portfolio at arturoandlauren.com.
How to Choose the Right Creator for Your Property
Start with your goal. Do you need a single reel for a quick campaign? Or a full brand film with multiple cuts? A solo operator like Yonatan Levin or Chris In the Water moves fast and keeps costs clear. An agency like Beast Agency brings a bigger crew and more moving parts. If your property is luxury-focused, Arturo+Lauren understand the visual language of high-end hospitality. For high-speed action sequences, Chris Bryan Films has the gear and the experience. Ask about turnaround times, file formats, and whether they handle editing. Also check if they have shot in your region before. Local knowledge of tides, light, and seasons saves time and money.
Automating Your Content Workflow
Once you have your footage, you can streamline delivery. Use cloud folders to share raw files with your marketing team. Set up templates for Instagram and TikTok captions. Schedule posts with a social media tool so your reels go live at peak times. If you work with a creator who edits, ask for vertical and horizontal cuts upfront. That way you can repurpose the same shoot across platforms. For hotels, consider a monthly content retainer. It keeps your feed fresh without a new production every time.
The Bottom Line
You do not need the biggest crew. You need the right eye. Yonatan Levin offers a rare combination of in-water skill and end-to-end service. Chris Bryan Films brings cinematic firepower. Chris In the Water delivers authentic cold-water grit. Beast Agency scales for larger campaigns. Arturo+Lauren elevates luxury properties. Match your budget and your story to the creator who already lives that world. When you do, the content feels real. And real content is what makes people book.