Michael Bailey-Gates is an American photographer and visual artist based in New York City. He is best known for his vibrant and colorful portraits of people of color, which often feature a mix of traditional portraiture and street photography.
Bailey-Gates was born in Los Angeles, California in 1994. He grew up surrounded by art, as his mother was a painter and his father was a sculptor. From an early age, he was exposed to the world of art and photography, which inspired him to pursue a career in the field.
In 2012, Bailey-Gates enrolled at the School of Visual Arts in New York City to study photography. During his time there, he developed an interest in portraiture and street photography, which he combined to create unique images that capture the beauty of everyday life. After graduating from SVA in 2016, he began working as a freelance photographer for various publications such as Vogue, GQ, and The New York Times Magazine.
In addition to his commercial work, Bailey-Gates has also created several personal projects that focus on people of color living in urban environments. His work has been featured in numerous exhibitions around the world including the Brooklyn Museum of Art and the International Center for Photography. In 2020, he released his first book titled “The Colorful World” which showcases some of his most iconic images from around the globe.
Today, Bailey-Gates continues to create stunning photographs that capture the beauty and diversity of people from all walks of life. His work has been praised for its ability to tell stories through vivid colors and powerful imagery that speaks to viewers on an emotional level.