DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
LIGHTING CAMERAMAN
PHOTOGRAPHER
© Ian Watts 2026. All rights reserved.
IAN WATTS SHOWREEL
This is my showreel compiled from a variety of films, documentaries, and music programmes I have photographed over the years.
I have been fortunate to travel extensively around the world and worked on many award-winning programmes in all corners of the globe. These have ranged from high profile landmark projects through to smaller intimate projects
I try to bring a certain amount of sympathy and understanding of the subjects I am filming whoever they are. At the same time I am quite passionate and thorough in my work and enjoy capturing people's lives, thoughts and experiences. I am equally adept at creating 'beautiful' images in difficult situations, as well as getting the once only shot in tricky circumstances. But I like to keep all my work in perspective and remember that the story is more important than a series of great shots.
ABOUT ME
Ian Watts is a BAFTA and Grierson award-winning Director of Photography, specialising in factual, documentary, history, crime, music and arts films.
Ian has worked with all the main UK broadcasters including the BBC, ITV, Channels Four and Five, Sky and international broadcasters such as National Geographic, Oprah Winfrey Network, Paramount, Discovery and Smithsonian. He has also worked with NASA, (The National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
He has over 30 years wide-ranging experience of filming in more than 50 countries around the world, ranging from Ghana to Greenland, on many critically acclaimed and award-winning films.
Ian is a British citizen, and has an American (I) work Visa for the USA, and is able to converse in French. He has his own professional broadcast camera equipment and other ancillary equipment. In addition, he is Disclosure and Barring Service, (DBS) approved.
Ian is also a proficient and creative photographer displaying his work at Outernet and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
List of countries worked in: Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Bahrain, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dubai, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Greenland, Haiti, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Saint Lucia, Senegal, Siberia, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Zanzibar
TESTIMONIALS
“I worked with Ian Watts and he can make anything look beautiful, anything…”.
Stephen Lyle BBC Senior Executive for TV coverage and IPlayer Commissioning
"Ian the shots all work beautifully. All of them. Just cut them in. Thanks for being so on it and making it so easy. …”.Fatima Salaria Managing Director Naked TV
"Ian’s a fantastic cameraman with an amazing eye – he’s always offering me lots of options which is great when you’re working under pressure". Mark Soldinger, Firecracker Films founder
“As well as being a great photographer you are always a pleasure to deal with for the PMs here and that goes a long way!” Stephanie Minici, Production Executive, BBC Music Television
"I’ve had the pleasure of working with many cameramen over my long career. But Ian’s lighting angles was just exceptional! It is so great when you can relax when filming knowing you can trust the cameraman.
Thank you Ian Watts". Mica Paris, singer and presenter
"The Basie film is looking great, and such a lovely project to work on. I can’t wait to see it fully finished…your pictures look great and you are a pleasure to work with". Melissa Morton-Hicks, Producer, Eagle Rock Films
Black Classical Music: The Forgotten History; "Beautifully shot and I really like the profile you use".
Mike Sanders, Technical Director, Edit Store
“Thanks again for everything out on the shoot - I’m really pleased with everything we got and looking forward to getting into the edit. I talked to the series producer, Pete, who started editing episode two last week and he said that the Utah footage all looked fantastic”. Gwyn Williams, Director ‘Making North America’, Windfall Films
“I’ve checked through the rushes and it all looks and sounds great. Thanks for a brilliant first day. Looking forward to more soon”. Nicky Bentham, Producer Neon Films
“Just watched the rushes from last week. All looks really nice (even as raw footage). Well done and many thanks”. Chris Durlacher, Director
“Ian shot my first documentary on Usain Bolt. A talented cameraman!”
Leon Mann MBE Director/Owner Refresh Films, founder BCOMS
"Ian’s professionalism and expertise was invaluable in creating highly polished and great looking corporate videos. Since our film days began two years ago, we now have 823,625 video views to our YouTube Channel and 263,712 video views to our videos on our website and now have over 3,000 subscribers to our YouTube Channel. An unequivocal success!" Antonia Carew, Corporate Video Manager IHS, premier provider of global market, industry and technical expertise
"Thank you so much for all your efforts working on this project, especially at Air studios over the weekend, which I am sure for you like myself was a privilege and one of those lifetime memorable experiences".
Sonia Caller, Production Manager, Band Aid 20
"Thank you for all your hard work on the Indonesian shoot. The pictures are great and the programme is looking good. It was a pleasure to work with you and your support was greatly appreciated".
Maire Devine, Producer, Pilot Films
"Its been great working with you – thanks so much for everything you’ve done on the series".
Ceri Smith, Production Manager, Renegade Pictures
