Jamie Jewitt partnered with HelloFresh
5 years ago
Canada Mike Ruiz is a Canadian photographer and director known for his celebrity and fashion work, who has transitioned into a prominent media personality and advocate for various social causes.
Mike Ruiz partners with the Ali Forney Center, the nation's largest LGBTQ+ homeless shelter, often featuring their success stories through his photography. This collaboration highlights his commitment to community service and using his artistic platform for social impact.
Mike Ruiz partnered with online retailer Social Impak, featuring a collection of his work on clothing, with a portion of the proceeds supporting various causes.
In 2011, Mike Ruiz was the featured artist for GLAAD when RÖKK Vodka became a Presenting Partner for the GLAAD Media Awards series, indicating a collaboration to promote awareness and support for the LGBTQ community.
Mike Ruiz collaborated with menswear designer J. Cheikh to design a capsule collection for the Spring/Summer 2012 menswear line, named 'Mike Ruiz for J. Cheikh,' leveraging his fashion expertise and personal style.
Born in Montreal in 1964 and raised in Repentigny, Quebec, Mike Ruiz is of French Canadian and Spanish Filipino heritage. He moved to the United States at age 20 to begin a career in entertainment, initially modeling for a decade. Following his modeling career, he relocated to Los Angeles to study acting, leading to an appearance in the independent film “Latin Boys Go to Hell” in 1997. In 2002, Ruiz moved to New York City to further his career in photography, quickly establishing himself with a new agent that advanced his work in the field. At the age of 28, Ruiz discovered his passion for photography, teaching himself the technical aspects of the camera before realizing he could build a successful career from it.
Ruiz is recognized for his high-impact celebrity and fashion photography, with his work featured in publications such as Vanity Fair, Flaunt, Condé Nast Traveler, Interview, and various international editions of Elle and Vogue. He photographed the album cover for Kelly Clarkson’s “All I Ever Wanted” and contributed to books like Dolce & Gabbana’s “Hollywood” and Iman’s “The Beauty of Color.” Beyond photography, Ruiz has expanded his creative endeavors into directing, creating music videos for artists including Vanessa Williams, Kelly Rowland, and RuPaul. In 2007, he made his feature film directorial debut with the comedy “Starrbooty,” starring RuPaul.
In addition to his creative work, Ruiz has carved out a niche in television, serving as a celebrity photographer and guest judge on shows like “Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List,” “America’s Next Top Model,” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” He was also a panelist on the third season of “Canada’s Next Top Model” and a cast member on Logo network’s reality series “The A-List: New York.” Ruiz has leveraged his platform to support various charitable organizations, including the Ali Forney Center, GMHC, The Trevor Project, and GLAAD. He is also involved in animal rights advocacy, inspired by his adopted terrier, Oliver, and works with organizations like Stand Up For Pits Foundation. He married Wayne Schatz in May 2019.
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