Michael Spano
(1949-)

Michael Spano is an American photographer and educator who works and lives in New York City. He holds a Master of Fine Arts from Yale University and has taught at a number of post-secondary institutions, including Sarah Lawrence College and Yale University’s School of Art. Spano is also a frequent guest lecturer and speaker at various American institutions, such as Cornell University and Columbia University. His work appears in a variety of publications and in museum permanent collections across the United States. Additionally, the artist has a series of monographs about his works. His most recently published monograph, "Auto Portraits", features his collection of black and white photographs of the varying emotional states of individuals stuck in the daunting New York City traffic.

Spano photographs almost entirely in black and white and grey scales. His portraits uniquely challenge the viewer’s perception of the subject’s surroundings, often appearing abstracted from the lens's focus. Spano does not shy away from pushing the boundaries of common photographic ability. In addition to portraiture, he is known for his multi-exposure work, split frame compositions, and capturing everyday scenes of urban life.