Russell began his career in camera department roles, including work as a camera operator on Doctor Who Confidential and Some Girls, before moving into cinematography.
His early director of photography credits include the feature film Nina Forever (2015), directed by Ben and Chris Blaine, and the television comedy A Gert Lush Christmas (2015). He went on to work on British television series including The Mimic, Gap Year, Loaded, White Gold and Derry Girls. His credits also include Catastrophe, Hang Ups, Breeders, Flesh and Blood, We Hunt Together and Out of Her Mind.
Russell photographed episodes of Sex Education across its run, earning a nomination at the 2022 BAFTA Television Craft Awards in the Photography and Lighting: Fiction category. His later television work includes Riches, The Ballad of Renegade Nell, Red Eye, The Gold and Code of Silence. He has also worked on the television drama War.