Ian Watts

Photography

“I am passionate about my work and enjoy capturing people’s lives, thoughts and experiences. I work hard to ensure I bring empathy and an understanding eye to the subjects I am either filming or photographing, whoever they are.”

About

The photography of Ian Watts refuses to be bound by borders and national identities. His novel transnational photography showcases extraordinary access to many well-known international figures, celebrities and artists, with his work featured in Africa magazine, the Times, Newsweek, West Africa magazine, and Motown Records, amongst many others.

He has a multi-decade career featuring the critical voices, complex politics, social changes and independence movements in the UK, Africa, Caribbean and the USA. Each photograph illuminates the political, social, and cultural aspects of the time, traversing across oceans and often controversial perspectives and personalities. Serving as a visual testament to Black communities' shared resilience and triumphs against systemic oppression and injustice on a global scale.

The rich tapestry of Black culture through Ian Watts’ photographs includes influential diasporic artists, writers, and community organisers. His work explores the theme of cultural vibrancy and artistic expression, and includes iconic events such as the Notting Hill Carnival, and venues like the Black Cultural Archives and Mangrove Community Association.

Other themes in his work highlight UK community resilience and solidarity in the face of adversity. This concept features in his photographs of grassroots organisations, community leaders, and everyday people coming together to support each other and build a better future. Ian’s photography captures scenes from multifarious events, as well as moments of everyday life within the Black community.

Ian Watts' lens captures the essence of ordinary moments, inviting reflection on the shared experiences that define us as a global diaspora. Through his lens, we witness the universal longing to find a place to call 'home' and the enduring spirit of community that transcends borders.

Here we step in to a world where cultural identity intertwines with the essence of belonging. Through captivating imagery, we delve into community life, spanning continents from the heart of the UK to the vibrant landscapes of Africa and Jamaica. We navigate everyday encounters and explore the profound connections that bind us all together.

Contact

Photography

Ian Watts is an accomplished and prolific photographer, covering music, fashion and political events. His photographic archive includes striking images from the UK, Africa and the Caribbean. His candid imagery showcases musicians, writers, artists, politicians, and well-loved celebrities from the UK, Caribbean and African diaspora. 

The breadth and depth of his photography is unique, as it covers a multitude of areas, subjects and disciplines.

His photography provides a rare cultural and historical insight into Caribbean and African life in the UK. His body of work, and photographic collection is a precious resource archiving an assembly of musical artists and iconic figures of the era, and covers a seminal period in social history.

Ian has photographed the Notting Hill Carnival for many years, and the Arts Council of Great Britain sponsored him to produce his work in a photographic exhibition entitled Behind the Masquerade: The Story of Notting Hill Carnival.

In September 2024 Ian had an exhibition Notting Hill Carnival: A Celebration in The Grove. The photographs of Ian Watts at the art’otel in Hoxton, London.

Most of Ian’s early work was shot using Nikon cameras and lenses, on Ilford and Kodak film stocks. But nowadays he shoots digital photography using Canon cameras and lenses.

Television

Aside from his photographic work, Ian is a BAFTA award-winning film and television cameraman, and works on documentaries, factual entertainment, music and current affairs films. He has over 30 years’ experience filming in more than 50 countries around the world.

In addition to his role as a Director of Photography on TV films, he has supplied photographs for many televisions productions. These include;

BBC TV: Get On Up: The Triumph Of Back America
Ian was the Director of Photography on the acclaimed BBC TV documentary series Get On Up: The Triumph Of Black America, featuring the celebrated actor David Harewood.  Ian took photos that were used by all the media outlets, including The Guardian, to promote this programme. Director Geoff Small for Milk and Honey Productions.

Cinema: The Sound of Protest 
As well as being the cameraman, Ian photographed many of the singers and musicians for the independent cinema film The Sound of Protest, which unpicked ten pivotal protest songs across five of the biggest motivators for protest songs. Director Siobhan Logue for Songbird TV.

BBC TV:  Fela Kuti - Father Of Afrobeat
Ian took photos, and was the Director of Photography on this feature length BBC film about the life of the late Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, who invented Afrobeat music and influenced many famous musicians, including Nile Rodgers. Director Biyi Bandele for Plimsoll Productions.

Channel 4: The Talk
Ian was the cameraman and photographer on the popular Channel 4 programme The Talk.  This was an hour-long thought-provoking documentary that reveals a part of British life that is little known outside of the Black community. Director Geoff Small for Whisper TV/Cardiff Productions.

BBC TV: My Name Is Leon
Ian provided a photo of the poet Linton Kwesi Johnson for the BBC feature film My Name Is Leon. Set in 1980s Birmingham, the feature film tells the uplifting and poignant tale of nine-year-old Leon, separated from his baby brother as he was taken into care, whilst on a quest to reunite his family. Director Lynette Linton for Endemol Shine UK.

BBC TV: Studio 17
Ian supplied a selection of photographs of reggae artists for the feature length BBC TV documentary film Studio 17 - The Lost Archives, which was about the origins of Jamaican recorded music.  Director Mark James for Widestream Films.

BBC TV: Back in Time for Brixton
This special two-part edition of the popular BBC series, featured the Irwin family who gave up their modern lives and travelled back in time to experience how post-war Caribbean immigration transformed the way we all live. The filming and photos were shot by Ian. Director Geoff Small for Wall to Wall Media.

 

Exhibitions / Books

Notting Hill Carnival: A celebration in the Grove. The photographs of Ian Watts Photographic exhibition at the art’otel in Hoxton, London September 2024

Rhythm Kitchen Exhibition

A permanent display of photos at Rhythm Kitchen in London.

Black Sound exhibition at the Black Cultural Archives.

A selection of photos displayed at the Black Cultural Archives as part of their Black Sound Exhibition.

Red October Exhibition

Photo displayed at Red October exhibition in Liverpool.

Books

Ian has shot and provided photographs for a wide variety of music, fiction and arts books, plus media publications over the last two decades.

Instagram

Photo shoots for various Social Media Influencers

Records

Ian’s photographs have been used on records by a variety of soul, reggae and African music stars, including most notably, Stevie Wonder and Fela Kuti.

Fela Kuti Box Set #5

Several of Ian’s photographs of the late Afrobeat musician Fela Kuti, were used on the vinyl album Fela Box Set #5, which was co-curated by Fela’s son, Femi, alongside Chris Martin of Coldplay.  It’s an impressive collection of 7 great albums from his back catalogue, including Kalakuta Show, and Original Sufferhead.

Ian’s photos were used on the front and back covers of the large accompanying 20-page booklet, plus used inside as a double page spread.  

Included in the box set are 7 Vinyl LPs, and the artwork for each album has been meticulously recreated from the original vinyl pressings, alongside vintage vinyl label artwork, plus the full-colour booklet. The poster was designed by Nigerian artist Lemi Ghariokwu, the creative force behind 29 of Fela‘s album covers.  

The box set was released in December 2021 in a limited edition of 4000 copies worldwide.

Stevie Wonder single I Ain’t Gonna Stand For It

Motown Records used Ian’s photos on the Stevie Wonder single I Ain’t Gonna Stand For It, which was included on Wonder’s platinum selling Hotter Than July album. Motown also used his photographs for publicity of three Motown superstars; Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross.

Email



info@ianwatts.org

Phone



+44 7956262808
Instagram Linkedin X-twitter

Let's Work Together