How I make money filming surfing

[@Deix25]

Brad, I discovered your channel a few months ago. I just wanted to tell you that I haven't found your quality content anywhere else. The surfing + storytelling it's super entertaining. Keep doing what you do, and the numbers would come to you eventually. You're living what many of us want to do and I'm very happy for you. Hard work always pays off.

[@alainvosselman9960]

Your channel kinda helped me take on surfing. As a non surfer i was already watching some videos getting slightly attracted to the sport. The way you were filming all sorts of surfers, waves... it makes it accessible as opposed to watching surfers take on Jaws, or Nazaré. These are like a vertical colosseum where a 49yr old ex skater has no business in. So thank you very much for that. I've been surfing for 3 months now and already made a trip to France with a bunch of wonderful surfers. Caught a wave little shy of 2meters ... Maybe i will start filming my journey into surfing. In regards to your narration ; top notch ! It does a LOT to your videos.

[@BradJacobson]

Thanks! France sounds like a great trip. Stoked you scored

[@patrickbutler87]

Huge congrats! Your channel is one of the absolute best surf channels. And it's totally because of the narration.

[@BradJacobson]

Thanks for the kind words

[@saulsjourney]

Hey Brad, I have ALWAYS wanted to do what you do, but completely lacking ties so could travel the world to find new stories.. scared to take that leap. Thanks for the push brother.

[@BradJacobson]

It’s an uphill climb but super fun.

[@jabbabbabba]

The miracle is that you can do it IN THE SOUTH BAY. Not great surf, but not as much competition as Hawaii either. Congrats on your well deserved success. Been here since the Jalian days.

[@jmavierpayne9726]

The Bruce Brown aspect of the narration and your voice are the best part🤙💪

[@BradJacobson]

Thanks!

[@douglash9364]

Celebrate your success and share your failures. Our greatest improvements and breakthroughs just like in the water come from when we fail. This old geeky guy appreciates all you do, your commentary is what keeps me coming back!

[@AndrewWorkshop]

I can't remember how I found your channel but it's one of the few that I watch as soon as i get the notification! Keep em coming, thanks!

[@BradJacobson]

Thank you! I appreciate it

[@gianebert1970]

the truth about surfing series is what got me hooked on your channel! best surfing videos on the tube!

[@BradJacobson]

Thanks! I’m working on more “truth about” videos 👍

[@jancarter5677]

I'm a 67 year old bodysurfer and I love your videos. Keep em coming Brad!

[@BradJacobson]

Thanks! I appreciate it. Love that you’re still getting out there

[@emanuelrosa013]

You content is really kinda unique and fun to watch, keep pushing man!!

[@nero68ad]

Brad, I noticed the difference when you started narating your videos. Definitely more engaging and your music selection for your videos is always top notch. Inspiring.

[@tuskedbeast]

Well, the obvious question is "how much do you make?" :) Glad you realized the uniqueness of your narration and do it more. Honestly, El Porto and LA in general are pretty unexciting surf zones, so believe us when we tell you how much your personality matters in making your videos fun to look at. Best wishes, bro.

[@amir5678100]

Don't quit! We love your content. You should do a local surf day with all your subs! :)

[@crunchers9]

I also used to surf and have issues with the disks in my neck. I still bodyboard, but when the waves are small, too crowded or if the water is really clear I will take my camera and go snorkeling, just outside past the surfers. Occasionally, on super flat days, I'll be able to explore the surf zone and find treasure and trash, along with all kinds of fish, rays, sharks, octopus and things you'd never know were out there! You should come film a place like Malibu, when it's flat, underwater, and then narrate what you film. As you said, it's boring the watch the surfers do the same old thing on every wave. The narrations really make it more interesting. Best of luck in the future, snorkelboarder

[@1finalchance881]

The narration 100% makes your videos. Story is everything. Really enjoy the content. Keep pushing!

[@BradJacobson]

Thanks! I really appreciate the feedback

[@jarrodderr]

I can’t believe I wasn’t subscribed. Never occurred to me to look. I love what you do bro. You are portal to yesterday and I am very grateful. Thanks bud. Subscribed. 🤙

[@BradJacobson]

Welcome aboard!

[@teddyrascal6305]

So glad you found your call bro, absolutely love your vids. When I miss the south bay i click on one of your vids.

[@jonahhatt4934]

Keep it up man! Love watching your narrations with smooth jazz in the back.

[@Aiguy872]

These videos are necessary! I surf in LA at least 3 times a week and I need the stoke at 5:30am while I drink my coffee before paddling out. Keep it up! Would love to see some Joe's/Oldman's/Ralph's Beach footage

[@BradJacobson]

Thanks!

[@kronic1oo1]

Brad we’re here to support, we want you to live in the dream 🎉

[@stokedcreativesfilms5986]

Your surfer style narration is your secret sauce so keep it up!

[@johncoupe2694]

that was an incredible story Brad!!!! you have that fire to keep going. thank you for sharing

[@pamwoolway7031]

Brad, thanks for breaking this down and sharing your story. I generally don't subscribe, and you did a favor for many YT hosts by explaining how this circus works. Also, you made it personal and fun. I love learning. You're a great teacher.

[@timesurf]

you're the man Brad! you really inspire a lot of guys out there 🙏 God bless you

[@IIIxwaveIII]

Good on u man. Loved the vid

[@BradJacobson]

Thank you

[@PhotowalksTV]

Just stumbled onto this. Really enjoyed hearing your story. Nice video!

[@BradJacobson]

Thanks 🙏

[@mikeholman9544]

I can appreciate great work and quality vlogs. Thanks 🏄‍♂️

[@BradJacobson]

Thank you!

[@oahuforjustice]

Awesome I love these kind of videos just like when you showed us the what kind of gear you use to shoot surf. Thumbs up 👍🏽 Mahalo for being one of my top surf channels

[@JBs_Surf_and_Skate]

Inspiring stuff, thanks Brad

[@jack04593]

Thank you for sharing🙏🏼🙏🏼🔥

[@krokus1972]

Stoked to hear your story. I used to shoot as well in the late 90s early 2000s but like you were saying about the mags and websites, they don’t pay much, so I had to get a regular 9-5. Always catch your vids, the narration is great, very Bruce brown inspired. Keep up the great work.

[@BradJacobson]

Thanks! Yeah, it got tough when the industry faded out

[@henryssurfshowcase]

Great to see you're doing what you like to do, thank you for sharing!..

[@sydneydance]

Love your story Brad. Inspirational 👏💪 Subscribed and looking forward to seeing videos about surfing and surf photography and videography 🤝🙂

[@BradJacobson]

Welcome aboard and thanks!

[@klauslutgens5848]

"Hey Brad" Sick video and i love the grind. KEEP IT UP!!!🏄🏄

[@BradJacobson]

Thanks 👍

[@kfame227]

You rock Brad! I've definitely have enjoyed your content much more ever since you started to narrate them. Love your style. Hope you continue doing this for a long time. Catch you out on the sand.

[@BradJacobson]

Thanks!

[@corduche]

Don't Lie to the Kids!! There's no money in filming surfing. Love watching your progression all these years.

[@shawnnielsen5161]

Really enjoyed learning about you man! Great story keep ‘em comin

[@BradJacobson]

Thank you!

[@Mike-ks5rb]

Love your work! Keep it up. From WA Aus.

[@mitchellmorrison9047]

Love surfing with a story.. .thanks for bringing great surf content to youtube finally!! Would love to see more surfers in the parking lot, cracking jokes, maybe even some classic little interviews. I also think that sometimes the frame is too zoomed in on the surfer, so maybe try a couple shots where you can see the takeoff and the section ahead of them so we can mind surf it a little. Thanks!

[@SuperSick]

Thanks for the inspiration! I'm working on building an automotive page and you bring up a great point about telling a story. Can't wait to try it!

[@BradJacobson]

💯 about the story telling. It works for the auto industry as well

[@jimmartin5430]

Thanks for the breakdown! Super rad to learn about the journey and the pitfalls along the way. Always cool to hear a story about somebody following their passion!

[@BradJacobson]

Thanks! It’s a crazy path but fun

[@sacredstonecards9051]

This was awesome. I am learning so much from you. So happy I found you. ☺️

[@bradsillasen1972]

Such a candid and informative disclosure. Your narrative talent is all there and that, aside from the surfing, is what powers it. You could bring that to anything. Glad you brought it to surfing, especially in SoCal.

[@rodolfogodinez9708]

Maybe do a video about your gear ? Your workflow when shooting at different beaches ? Very interested in surf photography/videography

[@BradJacobson]

I’ve done a video about my gear a while back but that’s a good idea and I should update it 👍

[@woodybutler]

Thanks for sharing this Brad!

[@BurtReynolds84]

Love the channel. Keep em coming!

[@BradJacobson]

Thank you!

[@Shoeless_DA]

Cool story, bro! The personal factor and story telling is what makes it great, glad you found your niche 👍

[@paulandbiancaadventures3458]

Your narration on videos are awesome Brad. 👍🏼

[@BradJacobson]

Thank you! 👍

[@zanevandevort98]

Inspiring! Go Brad!

[@davidgough3512]

Rather than chasing after this or that audience , doing what you love shows and we get the benefit ! Plus i like catching the authentic flavor you get from the local scenes .

[@adrianwoods7720]

You should come up the coast and shoot some Northern California content. It's sunny and pumping up here in the fall.

[@SeanOzz]

Almost at 50k subs and you’re right. My channel jumps content from GoPros , 360 cameras and drones to winter all about snowboarding and it grows so slow because I mix content. I have a hard time niching the channel to one subject. That’s the hardest part for me and it effects the speed of growth considerably.

[@Surfmus]

I have six herniated discs from a bicycle accident. I was hit as a pedestrian. (3) on my neck and (3) on my lower. Can you believe that surfing/paddling actually helps me to move disc back in place and away from the nerve. I haven't actually surfed since Xmas Eve. I'm tired of the same breaks, and my life has turned 180 on me that I can't go. My goals is to eventually quit for good. I'll keep you posted.

[@BradJacobson]

Let me know how that goes!

[@dalerwilliams]

Super cool video Brad. I’ve been watching your videos for a while and sharing with fellow Lake Michigan surfers. It’s awesome to hear your story. I wish you the very best.

[@EverydaySurfer365]

Thanks Brad, I’ve learned a lot from this. Been filming about a year or so going through all of it. Not easy! Drone so far but just bought my first camera and lens going to keep going! Thanks again for the motivation.

[@KennethCGilbert]

Thank you Brad. I am a subscriber. Thank you for sharing your story. To a guy like me, it seems a mystery how this new media world works. I love your content, makes me smile when a new vid pops up. Keep up the good work! I wish you the best of health, luck and fortune in the future. kg

[@BradJacobson]

Thanks. I really appreciate the kind words. It’s crazy the way social media works.

[@brantsarkela3189]

These are favorite types of videos success story’s !

[@BradJacobson]

Thanks!

[@vickryan]

I remember the Civic Couch brand name. As for the value of narrating, and telling a story, i wish to mention this movie, The Endless Summer 2.

[@sqweegium]

Hey Brad, I’m trying to get into shooting in the water. I just got a go pro 10 (was rocking a 3), but hope to one day get a nice underwater housing. Unfortunately the major swell season is over but I do go to the wedge on big days so if you ever want footage I am sure I could grab some for you if you want. Love your vids man, keep busting them out! And your right story is everything.

[@soph9626]

that’s terrible i’m sorry about the disc in your neck. My dad had a love for surfing and then got into an accident and his neck is permanently damaged which makes him unable to go out and paddle and surf. Which is devastating to me because all he can do right now is watch it. Ive been interested in surfing and i wanna live for my dads love for it and also my love for it. I really want to photograph surfing comps and become a videographer at some point, along with surfing. Unfortunately i’m 17 and got into surfing last year, so i doubt i can do anything with surfing for a career but photography and videography really interests me!

[@connor2694]

love your content man!

[@BradJacobson]

Thanks!

[@mauisurfstories]

What an inspiring story! Thank you. I may try your strategy! I’ll come back in one year with the results😎

[@AlexWitkowski]

Keep going Brad you're killin it !!

[@surfingwithzack]

Every once a year or something u should make a vid of the greatest surfing highlight of each beach u filmed that year.

[@dailysurfdeams6527]

Great job! Keep going!

[@tedduerksen]

I think you have a little bit of this already, but you could follow some local heroes and tell us their stories. You could also add some stories about local spots. Like why Zero's is so localized and maybe a story about the Lanada Bay boys being so territorial. Even if you fail, watching the process of you trying to crack into those worlds would be interesting in and of itself. cheers

[@tedduerksen]

Love your vids btw

[@wallersteven]

Great insight. Thanks for sharing!

[@djs5220]

Solid video. Inspired me. 😎 I’m getting into filming surf/ nature in San Diego and 🇲🇽. What kind of camera do you use?/lense?

[@BradJacobson]

Stoked it inspired you. I currently use the Canon R6 with a Canon 400mm 2.8 lens. I don’t recommend that canon model because it overheats in the sun.

[@dslhernandez3001]

The Truth About Surfing Los Angeles was the first video of yours that I came across!

[@Stylecounciler3000]

You are awesome!

[@bubbadigital]

Thanks for sharing your story :)

[@ladykay8]

Narration helps people understand what's happening in the video. Otherwise, it's just surfing, and it's hard to get invested in something you don't understand. Another surfer I watch talked about how surfers improve, what you're actually looking for in an oncoming wave, how you steer. What I get from that is how you photograph it, where do you place yourself. So some narration, especially if it explains how what you're seeing demonstrates x, y, or z.

[@serfdogg]

Awesome thanks. Great sub we surf here 🙌

[@Gregg_Towsley]

Brad, Love the channel! Keep up the good work! Brad the Beast Catching Mr Beast

[@PapaSurf-Tower10]

Brad, very very helpful...

[@ben_swain]

Thanks for sharing your story. Sorry to hear that you had to quit surfing due to a bulging disc. I wish this could be solved by some treatment. I'm sure you've considered it, but maybe there are risks involved?

[@BradJacobson]

Yeah, I had a few minor surgeries but the best is to play it safe

[@cunn1n6ham]

Congrats!

[@BradJacobson]

Thanks!

[@arthurcrump7909]

Love your work! Does you tube automatically start paying you when you hit those numbers? Regards Scott

[@BradJacobson]

Thanks! Yes, basically.

[@davidmartin6456]

ADHD? I was told maybe 15 years ago that I would have been diagnosed with it, if I had been diagnosed with it as a kid. Well, I was a kid too long ago for that to be much of a diagnosis. It seems to be a fairly common condition with adults. "The Truth" videos have been likable. I hope the series and successors continue to flourish, and likely as not, diversify within surfing. (EEK! I'm getting ads from Disney water parks. I want a Wave Garden in the next town over).

[@vickryan]

Love your videos. Hey, i think i have a bulging disc in my neck, too! Neck hurts. Plus i have mid back injury. (My worst problem.) Now i'm age 45. Definitely i have to ask myself, if i surf 3 days in a row, and sore for 2 weeks, is it worth it? So i only surf rarely. When i do, i try to surf a few times, to make it worth it. So i surfed today. I will surf tmrw. We'll see how it goes after that. Too many injuries. Too injured. I used to think i'd surf until i was 80 yrs old.

[@Existmusiccloud]

I filmed models, snorkeling and surfing in South Bay

[@cxlosdc333]

Hi brad, what type of lenses do you use? Focal lengths?

[@marvistadutch]

Keep sharing the stoke. Winter is coming!

[@NathsHim]

Do you have a recommended Nikon camera that would be great to use for video?

[@BradJacobson]

Sorry, I am not familiar with Nikon. Check out B&H photo (google them). They have great articles/reviews.

[@dailytao]

Hello Brad, thank you for the great information. How much does your surfing channel make??

[@adammazor]

Remember the civic couch days.. keep at it Brad

[@BradJacobson]

Thanks! Things have changed a bit over the years 👍

[@joshdawson629]

Would you recommend the Sony gm 100-400mm for shooting places like the wedge?? It the reach on that camera enough?

[@BradJacobson]

Absolutely!

[@johnnykhawand]

You can get good details and size of a human within 1 km range and maybe even more

[@adamchik4885]

SO SICKKKKKKKKKKKK

[@BradJacobson]

Thanks!

[@TM4rtin17]

Dude start up some merch!

[@mattjones5175]

Hey Brad!

[@ericeirarawsurf]

💯🤙🏻

[@Nihilist1974]

🤙🤙🤙🤙

[@BastianAK]

yo

[@elalexolivares]

Nuevo subscriptor desde México saludos 🫡

[@adrienhelferich7069]

So problem there’s only one problem if those waves are worth recording I’d be surfing them 😅

[@martinginsburg7222]

30 years ago surfers were protective & wouldn't ever sell out their spots. Today's world is in the process of being sliced up & sold. Enjoy the crowds

[@Puppyboy54578]

I enjoy your videos, glad it worked out . Sorry you can't surf anymore

[@hewonyew]

Curious about how people earn via KZbin...So with 26k subs, how much do you generally bring in a month? Enough to live on?

[@surfnow.]

giddyup😄