Aaron Lieber is a filmmaker and water cinematographer known for his immersive storytelling in surf, ocean, and action sports culture. He began his career as an intern at TransWorld Surf during a pivotal moment in media, when print was still strong and the internet was beginning to reshape how stories were shared. Immersed in surf photography and editorial production, he developed a deep respect for craft, composition, and authentic documentation.
While in college, Aaron directed his first surf film, The Pursuit, which marked the start of his commitment to story-driven surf filmmaking. As digital platforms emerged, he became one of the early creatives producing content specifically for the web, co-creating Simply Simpo (formerly Go Brett), one of the first online surf series, alongside professional surfer Brett Simpson.
He later joined Nike 6.0, where he helped shape early digital and branded surf content, including directing Leave a Message, the first all-women’s performance surf film. He went on to direct Zero to 100, a feature-length documentary with Lakey Peterson released on Netflix, expanding his work to a global audience.
His career also includes award-winning projects such as The Wild, winner of the RED Digital Cinema and Surfer Magazine short film competition, and the feature documentary Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable.
Specializing in demanding environments, from heavy water to remote coastlines, Aaron blends cinematic craft with real, unscripted energy. Photography remains foundational to his approach, shaping his sensitivity to light, timing, and composition. Whether in the ocean or on set, his focus is simple: to create images that feel alive, emotionally grounded, and true to the spirit of the moment.