Michael Thompson was born and raised in Washington State, where he was first introduced to photography at his father's small portrait studio. He spent his summers working with his father, then, after graduating from high school, he earned a degree from the Brooks Institute of Photography. After completing his schooling, Michael Thompson moved to New York City and began assisting the legendary photographer, Irving Penn.

Michael Thompson has since photographed models and celebrities for countless prestigious fashion magazines, including W, Details, Allure, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, Vanity Fair, GQ and The New York Times Magazine.

Advertising clients are equally in demand for Michael Thompson's time. He has shot many campaigns including PDN Award winner “I Am African”, Gap “Favorite Fit” jeans campaign, Jordache, Tumi, Tiffany & Co., DeBeers, Rosiblu, Emporio Armani, Celine, Oscar de la Renta, Jones New York, John Frieda, Clairol, and beauty campaigns such as M.A.C. Icon and M.A.C. Viva Glam, Clinique, Chanel, Covergirl, RMK, Kose Cosme Decorte, Prescriptives, Elizabeth Arden, L'Oreal, Aveda, Revlon, Almay, Neutrogena and Oil of Olay.

Michael has photographed numerous fragrance campaigns, including: Elizabeth Arden’s “Red Door”, “After Five”, “Mediterranean” & “Interlude”, M by Mariah Carey, Danielle by Danielle Steel and Believe by Britney Spears; Unforgivable by Sean John, Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle; JLo by Jennifer Lopez and Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker.

An award-winning director of TV commercials, Michael has directed: Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker (a winner of the 2006 FiFi Award for Best National Advertising Campaign-Television), Tiffany’s Frank Gehry Collection and a PSA for The American Ballet Theatre.

His first book, “Michael Thompson: Images” was published in 2005. His recent exhibition, MICHAEL THOMPSON: 50 CUTS debuted at the Parco Gallery in Tokyo featuring a selection of 50 images from his first 10 years as a photographer. He is currently working on a second book.

Michael Thompson lives in New York with his wife Kelly and their two children.