Today we’d like to introduce you to Ian Oliver
Hi Ian, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
in 2013 I attended a media arts school to study radio broadcasting, drawn by my first love: music. Growing up, I played in bands, and radio felt like the perfect fit. The school also offered TV production, and like many of us back then, I spent time messing around with handycams, enjoying the fun of creating with friends. But it wasn’t until I landed a photojournalist position during my studies that I truly discovered the power of storytelling. That experience shifted my passion from radio to visual storytelling.
After graduating, I worked in news and eventually decided to start my own production company, Say Something Productions. To get started, I dove into the wedding industry, knowing it could be lucrative. My very first setup was an iPhone 6 and an Osmo Pocket in 2015. Weddings were a crash course in capturing moments and telling stories on the fly. But while I developed my skills, the work wasn’t sustainable, I wasn’t making enough money in news and began to resent weddings.
That’s when I decided to pivot to fitness videography. I picked up my first “pro” camera, the Sony a6000, but income remained a challenge. I eventually put Say Something Productions on pause and worked as a corrections officer for two years, shooting on the side. In 2018, I decided to take the leap into full-time videography. I quit my job, packed up my gear, and relied on my 401(k) to get by. Unfortunately, that money ran out within a year, forcing me to take jobs at GNC and as a debt collector. These struggles taught me valuable lessons and pushed me to improve.
From 2019 to 2020, I practiced relentlessly, determined to make a name for myself. I showed up at gyms, did free work, and made sure I was tagged in every project. By late 2020, I upgraded to a Sony A7III, quit my job again, and committed to freelancing full-time. This time, it stuck.
Fast forward to 2025, and I’ve now worked successfully on my own for four years. In that time, I’ve grown as a cinematographer, moving beyond weddings and fitness into more narrative and commercial work. Filming my first short film, PUSH, with my friend Jasmine Q was a turning point. It deepened my love for storytelling and the art of cinematography, and painting with light, mastering composition, and understanding the nuances of narrative and commercial spaces.
Today, I’m proud to collaborate with companies like Ladder while continuing to pursue my passion for creating. Whether it’s capturing stunning visuals, working with friends, or finding joy in the process, I’ve embraced trying to find the balance between work and play and always chasing the magic of storytelling with a camera in hand.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not. I explained that in the process of failing and burning through my 401k, my struggles of jobs while chasing the passion as well and traveling across the country.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Currently now I am known for my cinematography. I explained a lot of this as well in my brief. On social media i post a lot of behind the scenes, I feel like coming up a lot of people i admire in this space gate keep a ton and I want to be able to help those who are just getting started.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
People can find me on Instagram as Say Something Productions and can DM there or email me
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saysomethingproductions/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@saysomethingproductions
Image Credits
All rights belong to me
