Samuel Ash is a Deaf cinematographer based between the Midlands, UK, and Tokyo, Japan. With British Sign Language as his first language, Sam grew up immersed in a rich visual culture that naturally shaped his storytelling instincts and cinematic eye. He picked up his first digital camera as a teenager, and by the age of fifteen, he was already set on a path toward filmmaking. He went on to study Film and TV Production at university while gaining early hands-on experience as a camera assistant on numerous Deaf-led and sign language programmes.

After graduating, Sam joined the BBC’s See Hear as a shooting researcher, contributing to one of the longest-running Deaf-focused programmes in the world. In 2023, he moved into full-time freelance work, specialising in factual television and documentary. He has since collaborated with many UK production companies, steadily building a reputation as the go-to cinematographer for Deaf and sign language-led content both nationally and internationally. His credits include mainstream programmes about deafness and sign language, such as John and Joe Bishop: Life After Deaf (South Shore) and Rose Ayling-Ellis: Old Hands, New Tricks (Rogan Productions). This experience makes him uniquely placed to capture these stories with precision, authenticity, and deep cultural understanding.

Sam also produced, directed, and shot a documentary about the Great Britain Deaf Women’s Futsal team at the Winter Deaflympics in 2024. The film was nominated for Best Specialist Factual Programme at the 2025 Broadcast Digital Awards.

As a DOP, Sam is now expanding into short narrative films and creative documentaries. He recently collaborated with actor-director Danny Murphy on the thriller Don't Look, and with Sam Arnold on Eremos Trilogy, the first Deaf-led short film anthology. With both directors, Sam independently funded and produced both projects, demonstrating his commitment to creating bold, authentic Deaf stories and opening up opportunities for others within the community.

He thrives on close collaboration with directors and is drawn to stories rooted in identity, emotion, and atmosphere. He favours a naturalistic yet cinematic visual style that supports performance and emotional nuance, often using texture, light, and composition to reflect the inner worlds of characters. Deeply influenced by his lived experience and the Deaf gaze, Sam’s work foregrounds underrepresented perspectives with visual poetry and emotional truth.

Sony FX9 & FX6 cameras owner – the full kit list and CV available upon request.