John Back was born in Wisconsin and received a BS in Art from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1977 and an MFA in Photography from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1979.

Back has worked as a New York City based photographer and artist since 1980. He has done commercial work photographing fine art, film, architecture, and design for various clients including well known artists such as Chuck Close.

He resides in Barryville, NY and maintains a photography studio in Greenwich Village.

He has exhibited his work in many solo and group gallery shows as well as had his work published in various books.