About Tony Baker.
With over 30 years working in creative production and operations with companies like Amazon, Nike, Apple, and more I learned how to sustain high energy, quality output and overall clarity of purpose. I learned, and went on to guide and lead others on what to pay attention to during our high-pressure processes, what to ignore, and how to stay focused and increase their value by doing the best work of their lives.
I began my professional journey as a teenager who loved photography, finding a job cleaning toilets, emptying trashcans, and mixing darkroom chemicals at a small local studio. Since then I’ve climbed every creative and leadership rung in our industry to reach the level of Senior Director on Creative Operations teams within multiple Fortune 500 companies. I’ve poured my heart and soul into my career, developing strong and lasting connections and improving the work of the people and teams I’ve led.
Coaching:
Unleash Your Creative Potential
Unlock your true potential with coaching that empowers you to find clarity and confidence. As your coach, I'll ask the right questions to help you uncover your unique path and purpose.
Whether you're a freelancer looking to develop your own gravity or a full-time employee seeking growth within a corporate structure, our sessions will provide the guidance and insight needed to achieve your goals. Together, we'll create a roadmap for success, making every decision clear and purposeful.
Facilitating:
Guiding Your Team to Success
Facilitation is about helping your team or organization reach its goals efficiently and effectively. As a facilitator, I remain a neutral leader, guiding discussions to ensure all voices are heard and a consensus is reached.
From clarifying objectives to managing time and resolving conflicts, I provide the tools and techniques needed to keep your team on track. This allows leadership to step back and let the team develop its own solutions, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment.
Transition Management:
Smooth and Seamless Changes
Transition management ensures that significant changes within your organization occur smoothly and without disrupting ongoing operations. Whether you're moving studio locations, building a new studio, transitioning from an agency to in-house operations, or vice versa, I'll help you navigate these shifts with precision.
By minimizing disruptions and aligning technical and aesthetic deliverables, we’ll ensure your organization achieves and sustains new ways of operating effectively. With my expertise, your team can focus on their work while I handle the complexities of change management.
Here’s what leading industry professionals are saying about Tony:
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Andy Catterick
Accenture Song, Managing Director
★★★★★
Working alongside Tony in both client and studio operations roles has been an exceptional experience. From the very beginning of our collaboration, he demonstrated insightful critical thinking and leveraged his extensive hands-on experience to create substantial opportunities for transformation. Tony's keen eye for detail and his ability to implement effective adjustments to our creative and production processes yielded results that far surpassed our expectations. He maintained an objective perspective while ensuring alignment with broader strategic goals, showcasing his deep understanding of technical processes. Moreover, his talent for inspiring teams to elevate their performance and challenge the status quo is truly commendable. I wholeheartedly endorse tapping into Tony's expertise and guidance; he will stay on the top of my list of experts in creative operations.
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Everard Williams Jr.
Award-winning Photographer, Educator, Photo Dept. Chair at Art Center College of Design
★★★★★
Tony Baker’s counsel is simultaneously gentle and profound, challenging colleagues to reframe their thinking and address the questions beneath their questions. His perspective has significantly influenced my professional development, and I endorse him without reservation. I've known Tony for more than 20 years, witnessing his evolution from photographer and studio owner to Creative Operations Leader and then Director at Amazon, Nike and Accenture Song, . At each career juncture, he hasn't merely adapted — he's excelled. What distinguishes Tony is his approach to mentorship. In my transition from freelancing to teaching photography and eventually chairing the Photo and Imaging Department at Art Center, his guidance proved invaluable. Rather than offering simple solutions, Tony poses incisive questions that encourage deeper exploration.
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Kelly Elaine Garthwaite
Red Bull: Photo Operations Team Lead, & Founder of “Hey Y’all !” Imaging Production Consulting
★★★★★
Tony has a wealth of knowledge about the industry. He's one of the best in the business. One of the things I appreciate about him is his ability to give great advice, and then also to be able to open up space and really listen. Any time we've worked together, I feel like I leave as a much better version of myself than when we started our call. I highly recommend working with Tony!
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Daniel Jester
Amazon, Creative Force, & host of the “E-commerce Content Creation Podcast”
★★★★★
I was impressed by Tony's leadership style from the moment I met him. I call it "a Hollywood-heist-movie leader with a heart of gold” approach. He's meticulous, empathetic, provides clarity for his teams. Early on when I launched my podcast, Tony was a perfect early guest to have on and set the right tone. He's dedicated to helping people and teams achieve new heights in ways that already feel natural and familiar.
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Libero Antonio Di Zinno
Photographer, director, writer, educator
★★★★★
The most talented people I know are always driven by passion... but harder to find are those rare gems who possess the powerful combination of a deep abiding love of image-making and the natural aptitude for the en·tre·pre·neur·i·al spirit. Tony Baker is this exotic combo ... He is a creative heavy hitter with world-class street-smarts in the business of photography, and he has a professional pedigree that speaks for itself. Any investment in Tony's offerings are ones you can be sure shall pay great dividends.
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My coaching approach is ideal whether you're a freelancer struggling to attract clients and reach your goals, or a full-time employee feeling overwhelmed and distracted in a corporate production environment. I’ll guide you with clarity and give you the proven system needed to move forward confidently in your career.
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If your creative team struggles with communication or decision-making, My facilitation approach can help. I guide team discussions, ensuring all voices are heard, and help your team reach a solid consensus. This creates a more collaborative and productive environment, allowing your team to achieve its goals more effectively.
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Consider using a facilitator during times of significant change or when your team is having trouble aligning on goals. Tony can help clarify objectives, manage time, resolve conflicts, and ensure productive discussions, making it easier for your team to navigate changes and reach sustainable solutions.
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Transition (or Change) Management helps your organization navigate significant changes smoothly, without disrupting ongoing operations. If you're moving locations, building new studios, or transitioning between in-house and agency operations, I can ensure these changes are handled efficiently and effectively.
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If you need clarity, better team dynamics, or smooth transitions during significant changes, I offer the expertise and guidance to help you succeed. My approach focuses on your specific challenges and goals, ensuring you receive the support you need to exceed all reasonable expectations.