[6] He earned a graduate degree from the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) in 1968.

[7] Bailey spent 11 years apprenticing as a crew member with cinematographers such as Vilmos Zsigmond and Néstor Almendros, working on Two-Lane Blacktop, The Late Show, 3 Women, Winter Kills, and Days of Heaven.

He earned his first credit as director of photography for Boulevard Nights, followed by Ordinary People and American Gigolo.

[citation needed] In 1985, Bailey shared the Cannes Film Festival Best Artistic Contribution Award with Eiko Ishioka and Philip Glass for Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters.

Bailey's credits as a director include The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe, China Moon, Mariette in Ecstasy, and Via Dolorosa.