Entered U.S. in 1907 (became a naturalised U.S. citizen in 1926). First work as a portrait photographer. Switched to movie cameras on the advice of star actress
Lillian Gish. Regular collaborator with director
D.W. Griffith. Both men were adherents of the method of soft focus cinematography. With or without Griffith, Sartov was often requested by Gish to shoot her pictures. Retired after the coming of sound.