He enlisted in the United States Air Force after graduation from high school and was a member of the Air Force's Photo Intelligence unit.[3] He moved to New York City, where he owned a studio as a professional photographer.[1] Waite specialized in advertising and fashion photography. His clients included Jaguar Cars, Glamour, Vogue, Hanes, DuPont, and GQ.[1][3]
In 1970, Waite moved to Los Angeles. His earliest work as a cinematographer was in television, including the 1970s television series Emergency!, City of Angels, and Police Story.[3] He also shot many television films including Tail Gunner Joe in 1977, in which he earned an Emmy nomination; The Life and Assassination of the Kingfish, released in 1977, for which he received another Emmy nomination; Dead of Night and Amateur Night at the Dixie Bar and Grill, which aired in 1979.[3] Waite earned his fourth and final Emmy nomination in 1996 for the television film Andersonville.[3]
In 2002, Waite moved to the Denver metropolitan area.[3] He taught lighting and cinematography within the film studies department at the University of Colorado at Boulder.[1][3]
He also shot Best Ribs in Town and Assassins' Code.[3] He had signed on as the cinematographer for the film Legacy.[3]
Waite died from a heart attack at his home in Los Angeles on February 18, 2012, at the age of 78.[2]