About

Ian Kerr is an Emmy-winning cinematographer known for creating striking images rooted in authenticity and emotional truth.  For more than thirty years, he has worked across premium documentary, commercials, large-scale series, expedition filmmaking, and highly technical VFX projects.

His work spans intimate, human-centred films such as PBS Frontline’s The Suicide Tourist and ambitious natural-history and adventure projects, including filming wild polar bears by moonlight for Apple’s Earth at Night. He was also co-producer and co-cinematographer on the Sundance Grand Jury Award–winning Nuisance Bear, and has DP’d and technically-produced multicamera series, including The Amazing Race, MasterChef, and The Bachelor.

Directors value Ian for his ability to solve complex visual challenges, elevate performances and environments, and remain a collaborative, enthusiastic creative partner under demanding conditions.  To solve storytelling problems, he’ll often design and manufacture custom camera, lighting and optical equipment, including the award-winning Vertigo.

A former adjunct professor of Advanced Cinematography at UBC and SFU, Ian continues to lecture and contribute to publications, including The New York Times and Canadian Cinematographer.

Ian is an active mountaineer, cyclist, and very poor spearfisherman.

SELECT CREDITS & HONOURS

• Sundance 2026- Grand Jury Prize, Nuisance Bear

• Primetime & Documentary Emmy Awards – Outstanding Cinematography (Win + multiple nominations)

• Wildscreen Award – Best Cinematography

• CSC Awards & Gemini Awards – Multiple wins and nominations

DIRECTORS & PRODUCERS

James Gunn, Taylor Swift, Annie Leibovitz, Seth Rogan, Bryan Adams, Glen Weiss, Gene Stupnitsky, Drew Goddard, Mark Mylod, Mike Flannagan, Jennifer Lynch, Gwyneth Horder-Payton, Phil Keogan, Bert Van Munster, Daniel Junge, Michael Bonfiglio , Alan Zweig, John Zaritsky, Michael Goi, Gwyneth Horder-Payton, Jennifer Lynch.

SPECIALTIES

• Large-scale documentary & series cinematography

• Live and live-to-tape multicamera, complex technical production and cinematography

• Expedition, aerial, and remote-environment filming

• Virtual production, VFX, and LED volume workflows

• Certifications include: Shotover & Cineflex (helicopter & fixed wing) | Advanced RPAS drone pilot | Advanced PADI scuba diver

• Experienced climber and mountaineer for technical and high-angle shooting.

INTERNATIONAL WORK

China, Inner Mongolia, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia, Pau Pau New Guinea, Australia, Mexico, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Nepal, India, S. Korea, Jordan, Dubai, Morocco, Ethiopia, Ukraine, Russia, Bulgaria, Western Europe, Denali, Aconcagua, Arctic US/ Canada.