Biography
Michael Karl Tompkins
Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canadian photographer Michael Tompkins, 41, has called Nova Scotia home since the age of two.
In 1990 he opened a pizza restaurant in Truro, but after 10 years developing an eye for detail among the pepperoni and peppers, sold the business to concentrate full time on the craft he loves: photography.
In preparation for his photography career, he studied with Greg Ruzzin at the Workshops, Rockport, Maine, and although recommended for admission to the Art Center in Pasadena, California, by respected and
influential photographer Mary Ellen Mark, chose to attend the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax.
In the early stages of his career Michael acted as assistant to photographer Stephen Chung, and took color landscape photographs under the influence of famed New Brunswick photographer Freeman Patterson.
Michael’s work has caught the attention of photographic icons such as Robert Frank and June Leaf, who have given him unreserved encouragement.
Since 2003 Michael has been the stills photographer for Trailer Park Boys, one of Canada’s most successful television comedy series.
In 2004 he signed a three-year contract with filmmagic.com, a Los Angeles-based agency specializing in celebrity photography.
Michael¹s work has taken him across Canada and the United States, all over his home province of Nova Scotia, and to such prestigious international events as the Sundance Film Festival where some of the
hottest celebrities of our time, from Paris Hilton to Pamela Anderson, have posed for him.
His work has appeared in the Toronto Star, on the covers of National Post TV Times and Coast magazine, and in many other publications across Canada.
He is currently working as assistant to Art Center graduate Peter Leverman, and creating a unique portfolio case out of bird’s eye maple.
1999 DA BOMB
16mm Film/Video DOP Michael Tompkins - Editor Chris Messervey...
Skate-Surf-Snowboard-Bike Video with additional footage by Marc Doucette and Scott Doucette
DA BOMB
Published Work:
- October 2005 -
In Touch Weekly Mexico - Gwenyth Paltrow
In Touch Weekly USA - Keira Knightly
Life & Style Weekly - Reese Witherspoon
Now Magazine - Cameron Diaz
Star Magazine - Jake Gyllenhaal
Johnny Depp - The Wave Magazine
- September 2005 -
- Toronto International Film Festival -
Star Magazine - Eva Longoria and Jake Gyllenhaal
Daily Mirror UK - Cameron Diaz
Jimmy Choo Shoes - Cameron Diaz
Celebrity Living Weekly Magazine - Eva Longoria
Sneak Magazine - Adam Brodie
Johnny Depp - The Wave Magazine
- August 2005 - Nova Scotia Safety Council Training Calendar
- March 2005 - Nova Scotia Safety Council Annual Conference
- January 05, Pamela Anderson and Stephen Dorff Sundance - New York Daily News
- May 2005 - VH1 Networks New York Rick Solomon
- August 2004 Cluett Insurance Website
- November 2004, Cover - The Coast - Halifax Weekly Newspaper "Mike Smith/Best of Halifax"
- August 2004 TEEN Magazine Avril Lavigne
- August 2004 Disney Adventures Magazine Martin Scorcese
- June 2004, - Joined IATSE 667 as Stills Photographer
- April 2004 STAR Magazine Mena Suvari
- February 23, 2004 People Magazine - Ben Affleck1/3 Page
- January 21, 2004 Signed Sundance 2004 contract with www.filmmagic.com
- November 24, 2003, MacLeans Magazine - Trailer Park Boys Feature
- October, 13 2003, Playback Magazine www.playbackmag.com - COVER OF THE YEAR -
- October 2003, Cover - The Coast - Halifax Weekly Newspaper "SHIT Hurricane Juan"
- August 2003, Cover - The Coast - Halifax Weekly Newspaper "CRUISE CONTROL"
- June 2003, Cover - Canadian National TV Guide "Trailer Park Boys"
- January 2003, Cover - The Coast - Halifax Weekly Newspaper "Sundance 2003"
- Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation Film Production Guide 2003 (6 photographs)
- Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation Film Production Guide 2002 (5 photographs)
- Sony Music USA still photographer for music video by LEN 2000 - "Feelin Alright"
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