Available to hire
Hi, I’m Joe Karably—a director, cinematographer and storyteller who leads Solitary Films, an award-winning production company focused on heartfelt, cinematic documentaries and high-end corporate, advertising, and healthcare content. Since starting the company in 2013, I’ve built a cross-disciplinary practice that blends creative direction, camera work, and post-production to bring ideas to life across film, TV, and digital platforms.
In 2024 I had the honor of serving as a juror for Communication Arts, and I continue to tell human-centered stories—from patient journeys at Baptist Health to sports and combat sports profiles like Combat Night and UFC projects. I’m based in Jacksonville, Florida, and am always open to new collaborations with clients and partners who value honest, cinematic storytelling.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Language
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Owner | Director | Cinematographer at 1186 Pictures, LLC
January 1, 2013 - June 6, 2024Owner and Director/Cinematographer of an award winning production company specializing in Netflix and commercial caliber documentaries for corporate, advertising, and healthcare clients. Responsibilities included collaborating directly with CEOs, marketing departments, and creative teams to ensure cohesive messaging. Produced, directed, shot, edited, and managed animation and post-production on numerous projects for clients including UFC, NFL, PBS, NBC, and healthcare institutions.
Cinematographer | Editor at Nectar Studios
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2025Contract cinematographer and editor position with the award-winning agency Nectar Studios and St. John & Partners. Worked alongside creative directors and producers on commercials for clients such as Rooms to Go, Florida Pre-Paid, and NASCAR. Assisted in creating in-store and online video editing assets and deliverables.
Director of Photography at Combat Night (aka Proving Grounds)
April 1, 2022 - July 31, 2023Co-Director of Photography for a documentary series focusing on Florida MMA promotion Combat Night, capturing master interviews, b-roll, and high-speed cage-side footage. Collaborated with UFC fighters, affiliates, and staff. Series was submitted to major platforms like Apple, Netflix, and Redbull.
Director of Photography at Ultimate Fighting Championship Documentaries
January 1, 2024 - June 6, 2024Served as Director of Photography on two UFC documentaries in early 2024, including a project on boxer Vinny Pazienza and an episode on up and coming phenom Ramon Taveras which aired on ESPN and ESPN+.
Director/Cinematographer at Baptist Health | Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2022Directed, shot, and consulted creatively for Jacksonville-based hospital networks from 2018-2022. Produced short documentaries, commercials, internal messaging videos, PSAs, and patient portal content. Collaborated with senior marketing leadership and CEOs, creating impactful works that inspired and raised patient awareness, including COVID emergency messaging.
Director of Photography at PBS: Secrets of the Dead: Secrets of Spanish Florida
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2016Director of Photography for a nationally aired long form documentary series condensed into a two-hour feature narrated by Jimmy Smits.
OWNER | DIRECTOR | CINEMATOGRAPHER at 1186 PICTURES, LLC
January 1, 2013 - PresentOwner and Director/Cinematographer of an award winning production company that specializes in creating Netflix and commercial caliber documentaries for corporate, advertising and healthcare clients. Responsibilities include collaborating with CEOs, marketing departments, and creative teams to ensure cohesive messaging across all video platforms. Production duties involve producing, directing, shooting, editing, and overseeing animation and post-production finishing on a wide variety of projects. Worked with clients such as UFC, NFL, PBS, NBC, The National Endowment for the Arts, The Atlantic, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Baptist Health, Medstar Washington Hospital Center, and Visit Florida.
CINEMATOGRAPHER | EDITOR at NECTAR STUDIOS
December 31, 2025 - July 28, 2025Contract position with award winning agency Nectar Studios, the in-house production company of nationally recognized ad agency St. John & Partners. Worked alongside creative directors, producers, and post teams as cinematographer on commercials for clients such as Rooms to Go, Florida Pre-Paid, and NASCAR. Also assisted with in-store and online video editing assets and deliverables.
DIRECTOR/CINEMATOGRAPHER at BAPTIST HEALTH | BAPTIST MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER
December 31, 2022 - July 28, 2025Served as director, cinematographer, and creative consultant for Jacksonville based hospital network Baptist Health and its sister partnership Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center. Responsibilities included planning, producing, directing, and delivering short documentaries, commercials, internal messaging videos, PSAs, and videos for patient portals. Worked directly with SVP of marketing and communications and CEOs to create inspired works that raised awareness about patient stories, hospital initiatives, and emergency messaging during Covid.
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY at COMBAT NIGHT (AKA PROVING GROUNDS)
July 31, 2023 - July 28, 2025Co-Director of Photography for documentary series centered on regional Florida MMA promotion Combat Night. Collaborated with director and A Unit DOP to capture master interviews, b-roll footage with fighters, coaches, and family members, as well as high speed cage-side event filming. Conducted interviews with UFC affiliates and fighters. Series submitted to Apple, Netflix, and Redbull.
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY at ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP DOCUMENTARIES
December 31, 2024 - July 28, 2025Director of Photography on two documentaries for the UFC in 2024. One documentary on boxer Vinny Pazienza is in post production, while the other on rising star Ramon Taveras aired nationally on ESPN and ESPN+ as part of the Next Level series.
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY at PBS: SECRETS OF THE DEAD: SECRETS OF SPANISH FLORIDA
December 31, 2016 - July 28, 2025Served as Director of Photography on a long form historical documentary series that aired nationally on PBS, narrated by award winning actor Jimmy Smits.
CINEMATOGRAPHER/EDITOR at DVA
December 31, 2013 - July 28, 2025Filmed and edited various documentaries, commercials, and PSAs for clients such as Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Medstar, Winn-Dixie, and The Jacksonville Jaguars.
EDITOR/DIT at KOHL PICTURES
December 31, 2012 - July 28, 2025Worked as Editor and Digital Imaging Technician (DIT).
INTERN/EDITOR at TIGERLILY MEDIA
December 31, 2010 - July 28, 2025Internship role involving editing responsibilities.
Patient Transport/MRI Technician's Assistant at ST. VINCENT’s MEDICAL CENTER/ST. LUKE’s
December 31, 2009 - July 28, 2025Assisted with transporting patients from floor to radiology department, helped MRI technicians with patient scans and appointments, and assisted floor nurses with moving deceased patients to morgue.
Owner, Director & Cinematographer at 1186 Pictures, LLC
January 1, 2013 - PresentOwner and Director/Cinematographer of an award-winning production company creating Netflix-caliber documentaries and high-end corporate, advertising, and healthcare content. Collaborate with CEOs, marketing teams and creative partners to ensure cohesive messaging across all video platforms; oversee production, directing, shooting, editing and post-production, including animation. Notable clients include UFC, NFL, PBS, NBC, The National Endowment for the Arts, The Atlantic, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Baptist Health, Medstar Washington Hospital Center and Visit Florida.
Contract Cinematographer/Editor at Nectar Studios
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2025Contract position with Nectar Studios (in-house for St. John & Partners). Collaborated with creative directors, producers and post-team as cinematographer on commercials for Rooms to Go, Florida Pre-Paid, NASCAR and other clients; assisted with in-store and online video editing assets and deliverables.
Director, Cinematographer at Baptist Health / Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2022Director, cinematographer and creative consultant for Jacksonville-based Baptist Health and Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center (2018-2022). Planned, produced, directed and delivered short documentaries, commercials, internal messaging, PSAs and patient-portal videos; worked with SVP of marketing and two CEOs to create works that inspired patient stories, hospital initiatives and emergency communications during Covid.
Director of Photography at UFC Documentaries
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2024Director of Photography on two UFC documentaries in January 2024; one on legendary boxer Vinny Pazienza and the other on rising star Ramon Taveras (episode of Next Level aired on ESPN/ESPN+).
Director of Photography at PBS: Secrets of the Dead — Secrets of Spanish Florida
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2016Director of Photography on a long-form PBS documentary series later condensed to a national 2-hour feature, narrated by Jimmy Smits.
Cinematographer / Editor at DVA
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2013Cinematographer and editor for documentaries, commercials and PSAs for clients including Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Medstar, Winn-Dixie and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Editor / DIT at Kohl Pictures
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2012Editor/DIT supporting documentary and commercial projects.
Intern / Editor at Tigerlily Media
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2010Intern and Editor contributing to multiple production tasks and editing projects.
Patient Transport / MRI Technician's Assistant at St. Vincent’s Medical Center / St. Luke’s
January 1, 2006 - January 1, 2009Assisted with transportation of patients to radiology, supported MRI technicians with patient scans and appointments; aided floor nurses with moving deceased patients when requested.
Education
Bachelor of Science at University of North Florida
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2011Honorary Bachelor’s Degree at Flagler College
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015Bachelor’s Degree at Flagler College
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015Bachelor of Science at University of North Florida
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2011Bachelor of Science in Digital Media/Photography at University of North Florida
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2011Bachelor’s Degree at Flagler College
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2015Qualifications
Industry Experience
Media & Entertainment, Healthcare, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Travel & Hospitality, Education, Other
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