Bailey is famed for documenting the swinging 60s alongside fellow snapper Terence Donovan, socialising with many stars of the era, including album covers for the Rolling Stones and Marianne Faithfull.

His mannerisms were adopted by actor David Hemmings in Michelangelo Antonioni's 'Blowup' – a 1966 film regarding a photographer's involvement in a murder case. Bailey is famed for his close up portraits of celebrities including Mick Jagger and Oasis.