Bird became known for his images of nudes and jointly set up a studio, Photo Centre Ltd., with John Everard and Horace Roye in 1939.

Early in his career Bird worked mostly on advertising commissions and portraits that were published in periodicals such as Theatre World and Tatler.

As the intense competition was harming their business, they eventually decided to cooperate instead, which led to them in 1939 setting up a joint company called Photo Centre Ltd.[3] They made their headquarters in a suite of rooms above Bird's studio in Savile Row.

During the war Bird served with the Crown Film Unit, before re-establishing his business at 46 Queen's Gate, London.

[6] When Walter Stoneman died in 1958 Bird took over his position as chief photographer for J. Russell & Sons, purchasing the business in 1961.