His father, Aldofo Salvati, was already a key grip in the early days of Italian cinema, and through his father's contacts Sergio began his career developing negatives in a small photographic laboratory in Rome, the SPES directed by Di Ettore Catalucci.

He worked alongside his friend Ennio Guarnieri on two films from the TNT Bible series shot in Ouarzazate, the Hollywood of Morocco: Jacob (1994) and The Seventh Scroll (1999).

At the age of 73, he was director of photography on an independent Moroccan film, The Return of the Son, directed by Ahmed Boulane.

He has taught at the famous Centro Sperimentale Di Cinematografia in Rome and freely shares his experience with young filmmakers, as well as perpetuating the rich tradition of "Italian cinema".

Salvati was president of the AIC, Associazione Italiana Autori della Fotografia, from 2007 through 2008 and remains on the board of directors.