Hailing from Montreal Canada and now based in New York, Ruiz is best known for his high-impact, surreal brand of fashion and celebrity photography. He frequently shoots the hottest new stars for countless American and international magazines. Among the impressive list of subjects that have stood before Ruiz’s lens are Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Lopez, Salma Hayek, Zac Efron, Lindsay Lohan, Beyonce Knowles, Hayden Panetierre, Jessica Alba and the Jonas Brothers.
He tried acting – starring in the classic cult independent film, Latin Boys Go to Hell – but again, found the work unsatisfying. “After the breakout success of the film, I was asked to audition for several major studio films but my heart wasn’t into it,” he acknowledges. “I wasn’t passionate about acting and it showed.”
Discovering one’s passion is a gift that sadly, not everyone receives. Ruiz, however, did and his arrived as a Christmas gift. “At 28, I found a camera under my Christmas tree and within minutes, I was obsessed. I began shooting everything in sight. I taught myself the intricate mechanics of the camera but it was several years before I realized that I could actually make a living with my work.”
In addition to his impressive list of advertising and celebrity clients, he has also branched out as a director doing music video for artists such as Kelly Rowland, Jody Watley, Traci Lords, Kristine W and new pop sensation Shontelle. He also made his feature film directorial debut in 2007 with “Starrbooty” starring Rupaul which sold out film festivals here and abroad.
Mike Ruiz’s expertise behind the camera and his flair in front of it have landed him on several reality shows including “My Life on the D-List”, “America’s Next Top Model” and the highly anticipated “RuPaul's Drag Race” (appearing as a celebrity photographer and guest judge.
Mike is also developing a scripted television show with writer Benjamin Morgan based on a group of elitist gay men living in Los Angeles called “The 10 10’s”
Mike’s entrepreneurial skills led him to co-found Miauhaus Studios, the elite Los Angeles photography complex featuring four full-service photo studios.
This holiday, Ruiz fans will be able to purchase his work. Shutterlounge, the online art gallery created by him and curator Frank Roller will make limited edition Ruiz prints available to collectors.
Mike's list of celebrity clients is extensive...
50 Cent
Alejandro Fernandez
Alexis Bledel
Alyssa Milano
Amerie
Amy Mann
Andy Dick
Angela Bettis
Azura Sky
Backstreet Boys
Balthazar Getty
Barry Pepper
Beau Bridges
Beyonce
Billy Zane
Brian Wilson
Britney Spears
Brittany Murphy
Carey Elwes
Charlie Baltimore
Chris Klein
Christian Bale
Christine Taylor
Christina Aguilera
Christina Saralegui
Christopher Gorham
Cindy Margolis
Daddy Yankee
Daisy Fuentes
Danny Glover
Daryl Hannah
Dave Navarro
David Boreanaz
David Lynch
Debbi Mazar
Destiny’s Child
Dennis Hopper
Dita Von Teese
Djimon Hounsou
Dolly Parton
Dominique Swain
Emma Roberts
Erasure
Eric Mabius
Erin Daniels
Eva Longoria
Fabolos
Fat Joe
Free
G-Unit
Gabrielle Union
Gloria Estefan
Golden Brooks
Goran Visnjic
Guy Torrey
Hanson
Hayden Panettiere
Isabella Rossellini
Ivana Milicevic
Jackie-O
Jadakiss
James Coburn
James Marsden
Jamie Lynn Sigler
Jamie Presley
Jenna Jameson
Jason Behr
Jason Biggs
Jason Lewis
Jason Priestley
Jay Mohr
Jenna Jameson
Jennifer Coolidge
Jennifer Garner
Jennifer Lopez
Jessica Alba
Jessica Biel
Jill Marie Jones
John C. Reilly
Jody Watley
Jonathan Bennett
Joshua Jackson
Joy Enriquez
Juanes
Julian McMahon
Julie Delpy
Julio Iglesias Jr.
Justin Timberlake
Karina Lombard
Kat DeLuna
Kate Beckinsale
Katherine Heigl
Kimora Lee Simmons
Kirsten Dunst
Kristen Bell
Kristen Johnston
Kristen Kreuk
Kristine W.
Lacey Chabert
Laura Prepon
Leslie Ann Warren
L'il Flip
Lil Kim
Lindsay Lohan
Lloyd Banks
Loon
Louis Gossett Jr.
Ludacris
Melissa Joan Hart
Mark Wahlberg
Megan Good
Melissa Geroge
Melora Walters
Mickey Rourke
Michael Rappaport
Michelle Rodriguez
Mimi Rodgers
Myrka Dellanos
Nick Nolte
Nicole Wray
Nina Skye
N’Sync
Olivia
Patricia Clarkson
Patricia Velasquez
Paulina Rubio
Paz Vega
Queen Latifah
Raven Symone
Rebecca Romijn
Ricky Martin
Rick Yune
Robert Patrick
Rod Stewart
Rosario Dawson
Rosie Perez
RuPaul
Ryan Phillipe
Saana Lathan
Salma Hayek
Sam Rockwell
Scott Wolf
Sean William-Scott
Seth Green
Shane West
Shannon Dougherty
Shawn Ashmore
Sir Ian McKellan
Sisqo
Sofia Vergara
Space Hog
Sunshine Anderson
Sydney Pollack
Tara Reid
Taylor Dayne
Teri Polo
Tony Yayo
Tracee Ellis Ross
Traci Lords
Tyra Banks
Vanessa Carlton
Vanessa Marcil
Vin Diesel
Willa Ford
William H. Macy
Woody Harrelson
Young Buck
Zac Efron
Zoe Saldana You can view my work below.
Mike I love ur work U have that magic touch u got the eye. Will wk for free, photograph is one of my passions I was always the guy w the cam at all the events n its just amazing capturing a special un planned shot those n the best. well mike keep it up. remem ill intern netime!
Hi mike.. thanks so much for the add :) just wanna let you kno that u are an inspiration for me as a gay young man, you showed me that just an ordinary gay person with modest roots can become, well, YOU! lol Very successful and of course beautiful! thanks and I hopefully will follow your footsteps! I just need to start working out! haha