About

Tom Cressey | Director of Photography & Timelapse Photographer

Person operating a professional video camera outdoors

I’m a UK-based Director of Photography specialising in documentaries, sport, and high-end timelapse cinematography, working with time, light, and environment as storytelling tools.

My work spans character-driven films, large-scale sporting events, and visually ambitious projects in demanding locations, from championship courts and expedition yachts to remote mountain landscapes and extreme environments.

With a background in broadcast and documentary filmmaking, I’ve shot across 35+ countries and learned how to work fast, light, and decisively when conditions are unpredictable. Producers and directors trust me to stay calm under pressure, make strong visual decisions quickly, and elevate material without getting in the way of the story.

Timelapse is my specialist craft. Not as a visual flourish, but as a disciplined cinematic process. Whether compressing hours into seconds, choreographing motion-controlled sequences, or capturing the movement of stars and light across days or nights, I approach timelapse with the same narrative intent as live-action cinematography.

My work includes projects for Lenovo, Esquire, Aviva, and the National Theatre, alongside high-stakes productions for Eurosport, ITF, the BBC, and the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, as well as long-term collaborations with heritage and luxury brands.

Across sport, documentary, and timelapse-led storytelling, I aim to create images that feel grounded, considered, and cinematic; visuals that support the story rather than distract from it.

When working with brands, I bring the same editorial judgement I apply to documentary and broadcast projects. That means starting with intent, not output - understanding what deserves to exist on film, and what is better left unsaid - before committing to how it’s captured.

I’m a member of the Guild of Television Camera Professionals (GTC) and remain deeply committed to the craft of cinematography, continually refining how cameras can be used to reveal time, place, and human experience.

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Testimonials

  • — Richard Edwards, Shooting Producer/ Director

    “I enjoyed working with Tom immensely because of his dedication, his creativity and his attention to detail. But what I most admire about Tom is he's easy to work with, always humble, easy going - but serious about his job. We travelled on an intensive project for 1 year internationally and he was super supportive, adaptable, and his passion for his work always shone throughout. Looking forward to working with Tom again soon. Definitely one of life's good guys.”

  • — Silvano Griffith-Francis, Writer/ Producer - SVG Productions

    "Tom worked on my first feature film, Family Secrets, as Director of Photography and it was a true pleasure having him on board. Tom proved to be hardworking, committed and extremely professional. He has a keen eye for detail and showed true team spirit in not shying away from assisting in areas outside his responsibility. He was highly organised in his role as DOP which worked wonders in keeping us on schedule. He worked brilliantly alongside our director, taking instruction well and also helped to put the cast at ease. I can honestly say that Tom would be a great asset to any team and I personally would love the opportunity to work with him again."

  • — Serge Rashidi, Director

    "Working with Tom was an incredible experience as his professionalism and commitment to excellence gave me and the entire production team peace of mind that the final product would be fantastic. Tom throws himself wholeheartedly into the work, paying attention to the tiniest of details to ensure the highest production values are met. With our limited resources, Tom was able to create a look and feel to our film that I very much doubt anybody else in the same position would be able to. Tom has an unmatched work ethic, is solution orientated and very easy to talk to. He knows his craft inside out and this shows in his delivery. As a director, it was brilliant to know that Tom had all the necessary bases covered, leaving me to worry about getting the best performance I could manage from the cast. Tom is inclusive and collaborative, open to suggestions and ready to provide multiple creative suggestions of his own. Last and most importantly, Tom showcased himself to be a trustworthy, genuine hardworking person. I hope to work with him again in the near future."

  • — Ryan Moore, Producer/ Director

    “Tom has supported me on a variety of production requirements as Lead Camera. From complex promotional projects to multi-cam setups and live event deliveries. Tom’s technical application and creative solutions bring clarity and reassurance from pre-production through to post stages (in an editorial capacity too!). Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend and look forward to the next one.”

  • — Eleanor Low, Producer

    “I have worked with Tom on multiple projects across different types of genre and scale. Tom always delivers on the brief, he certainly shows his experience and knowledge as a DoP and carries out his role professionally on set. As a producer, I especially value his prompt and clear communication. With his knowledge in post production, he always brings the added value from the point of view of an editor as well.”

  • — Benny van Leeuwen, Producer - Beautiful Creations

    “A highly reliable, skilled and professional videographer and editor. Tom never lets me down and always delivers high quality output.”

  • — Ralph Crofton, Lead Producer - Outlook Creative

    “Fantastic DoP and great to work with!”

  • — Claire Sixsmith, Commercial Director - IFPL Group

    We hired Tom on a recommendation for a unique project in Bulgaria. The filming was in an air hanger in an active airport which presented many challenges due to the noise and congestion of the environment. Tom was incredibly professional, reliable and flexible, he gained some fantastic content which enabled him to create several short high-quality films and shots for our marketing and to support our client. We would highly recommend Tom for his quality and experience!

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