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 a bygone 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 October 2025, Ian unveils a powerful new photographic installation, 'Carnival Through the Lens of Ian Watts at Outernet', London's most visited tourist attraction,  as part of the Black History Season at Outernet, in conjunction with Camden’s Black History month.

 The exhibition captures 40 years of Notting Hill Carnival, and showcases a vibrant mix of black-and-white and colour photographs, chronicling the evolution of Carnival over four decades. The exhibition was accompanied with a bespoke musical soundscape created by Blackmale Beats.

In the same month, Ian has a Photography Talk at Camden Town Hall in connection with the installation and his Carnival photography.

In March 2025, Ian gave a Photography Talk and Photography presentation for the V&A Academy, at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London entitled ‘Black Photography: 1980s Rebellion to Renaissance Through the Lens of Ian Watts’.

 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.

 

Outernet

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Award-winning filmmaker and photographer Ian Watts unveils  a powerful new photographic installation, Carnival Through the Lens of Ian Watts at Outernet, London’s most visited tourist attraction, as part of the Black History Season at Outernet in conjunction with Camden’s Black History month in October 2025.

The exhibition captures 40 years of the Notting Hill Carnival, and showcases a vibrant mix of black-and-white and colour photography, chronicling the evolution of Carnival over four decades. The exhibition is accompanied by an evocative musical soundscape created by Blackmale Beats.

The exhibition immerses visitors in the rhythm, energy, and cultural heartbeat of one of the world’s largest and most iconic street festivals.

Watts’ photographs trace a creative arc from the moody, defiant spirit of the 1970s through to the explosive growth of the 1980s, when Carnival emerged as both a cultural and political statement. His work captures everything from elaborate costumes and dynamic dance, to the rise of sound systems and the vibrant street life that defines the Carnival experience.

To coincide with the Outernet exhibition there is a free talk with photographer Ian Watts and arts curator Lisa Anderson, on 15 October at Camden Town Hall, in an immersive event exploring Notting Hill Carnival through Watts’ powerful lens. Tickets through Eventbrite.

  • Photographic Concept: lan Watts @ianwattstv 
  • Creative Design: Federico Parodi @fred_parodi 
  • Soundscape: Blackmale Beats @blackmalebeats

Exhibitions

V&A Academy

Photography Talk and presentation at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London 'Black Photography: 1980s Rebellion to Renaissance Through the Lens of Ian Watts'.

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

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.

Rhythm Kitchen Exhibition

A permanent display of photos at Rhythm Kitchen in London.

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

television

Aside from his photographic work, Ian is a BAFTA award-winning film and television Director of Photography, 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. His credits include:

Bibaa & Nicole: Murder in the Park (Sky Docs, 3x60min True Vision TV) Dir: Alex Thomas Prod: Sian Guerra Prod/Dir: Lindsay Konieczny Exec: Brian Woods Raw and emotional doc series exploring institutional racism and violence against women.

Live Aid at 40: When Rock ’n’ Roll Took on the World (BBC/CNN, 3x60min, Zinc Media) Dirs Thomas Pollard Max Stern SP Angus Macqueen Execs Tanya Shaw & Norma Percy. Forty years after the original Live Aid concerts this 3-part series revisits the origins of the movement, and its cultural and political legacy.

Disney/National Geographic: Erased: WWII’s Heroes of Color: Over 8 million people of colour fought in the Second World War—yet their stories have largely been written out of history. This series, narrated by Idris Elba, goes some way to correct this through dramatisation, character portraits, and archive. October Films & 22 Summers. Executive Producer Idris Elba. Nominated for Best Doc at Film Independent Spirit Awards & Best Non-Fiction History & Biography at the Real Screen Awards, 2025

BBC TV: Brothers in Dance: Anthony and Kel Matsena: The story of Swansea-based, Zimbabwean-born brothers and choreographers moving to Wales as children and competing on Britain’s Got Talent to becoming two of the most innovative and in-demand emerging artists on the UK dance scene. Winner Cymru (Welsh) BAFTA Single Documentary Award

BBC/CBC: The Battle for Black Music: Paid In Full: The story of Black musicians and the long-standing exploitation they have faced since the inception of the recording industry. Zinc Media/22 Summers Directors Guy Evans Tom Pollard Exec Producers Greg Sanderson Idris Elba

ITV: Jimmy Akingbola Handle with Care: A deeply personal film by acclaimed actor and presenter Jimmy Akingbola revealing the truth of growing up in the care system in England. Director Andy Mundy-Castle. Nominated for Best Single Documentary at the I Talk Telly Awards and Ian Watts Long Listed BAFTA Factual Photography

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

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. Nominated for Grierson Award Best Music Documentary 

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

For more info about Ian’s tv work visit www.ianwatts.tv

Records

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



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