MIKE RUIZ PHOTOGRAPHY

CultureFashion and DesignPhotography
Written By Leila Antakly
Mike Ruiz — Antakly Projects
Avant-garde fashion editorial shot at the Louvre pyramid, model in magenta and green padded coat, clear plastic skirt, standing on a plinth
an antakly projects studio visit

Mike Ruiz

Fashion, celebrity, and the art of making anyone perform for the camera

Photographer · Director · New Jersey

The Origin

At the age of 28, Mike Ruiz found a camera under his Christmas tree. "Within minutes, I was obsessed," he says. "I began shooting everything in sight. I taught myself the intricate mechanics of the camera, but it was a couple of years before I realized that I could actually make a living with my work."

He did more than make a living. Now based in New Jersey, Ruiz has built a career across beauty, celebrity, and fashion photography, with editorial work featured by Elle, Vanity Fair, L'Officiel, Paper, Flaunt, Interview, Brazilian Vogue, and Prestige, among many others. In the Middle East, he's represented by Wilhelmina Dubai.

The Roster

  • Billy Porter
  • Priyanka Chopra
  • Lewis Hamilton
  • Cardi B
  • Ruby Rose
  • Kim Kardashian
  • Katy Perry
  • Nicki Minaj
  • Prince
  • Taraji P. Henson
  • Penn Badgley
  • Lakeith Stanfield
  • Jim Parsons
  • Joe Manganiello
  • Justin Theroux
  • Kelly Clarkson
  • Queen Latifah
  • Betty White
01Model captured mid-jump in a navy track jacket, black bodysuit, pale blue knee socks and heels
02Model reclining on black volcanic sand on the coast of Iceland, wearing a cream knit set
03Portrait of Prince in a wide-brimmed hat and heavy gold chain, warm and purple toned light
04Male model in an oversized plaid coat with a red turtleneck, arms crossed, teal lighting

A contact sheet from four decades of clients, continents, and covers.

What are some of your greatest inspirations or influences?

I draw inspiration from so many different sources, ranging from film and art to different time periods in history — the '40s and the '80s especially. I'm also hugely influenced by different cultures.

Most interesting or memorable shoot so far?

I'd have to say my most memorable shoot was with Prince. I idolized him through my teens and twenties, and to have a legend of his stature defer to me for my creative opinion was mind boggling. Our shoot culminated with him and his band doing a private concert for me and a writer from Rolling Stone at Paisley Park.

"
To have a legend of his stature defer to me for my creative opinion was mind boggling.
Mike Ruiz, on photographing Prince

Favorite websites, publications, or social media handles?

I can't say I have a go-to publication, website, or handle. I'm so invested in my own work that curating my Instagram is what I enjoy most. I do reference Vogue Italia and French Vogue regularly, though — I feel they're on the forefront of what's happening in fashion and pop culture.

An interesting creative we should know about?

There's a woman on Instagram I think is so cool — Gina Harrison, @ginaharrison. She's part model, part creative director, part performance artist. I love what she does.

The biggest challenge in the industry today?

It's developed with the advent of social media. The way people conduct business now is largely dependent on their presence online. Back in the day, all I had to do was good pix, and the rest was handled by my agent. Now I'm required to constantly create content across platforms. I've come to enjoy it, but it certainly doubles the workload required to stay relevant.

Beyond the Camera

Directing Music videos for Kelly Rowland, Vanessa Williams, Erika Jayne, and RuPaul · Feature film directorial debut, StarrBooty, starring RuPaul
On screen America's Next Top Model · Canada's Next Top Model · RuPaul's Drag Race · dozens of other appearances as an industry expert
In print Co-owner and creative director, Photobook Magazine

Off Set

Ruiz is most proud of his community service — supporting The Ali Forney Center, GMHC, The Trevor Project, Housing Works, It Gets Better, Live Out Loud, Project Angel Food, and GLAAD, and sitting on the honorary board of the Let There Be Hope research foundation.

His life changed profoundly after adopting a sweet terrier named Oliver, who inspired him to work with animal rescue organizations across the country, including Stand Up For Pits and Bullies and Buddies. "I'm a huge animal advocate, specifically animal rescue," he says. "Whenever I have the opportunity, I always encourage people to adopt a pet rather than buy one from a breeder. There are so many amazing animals discarded every day that could use some love — and in return, give so much more."

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Leila Antakly

Leila Antakly is the founder and editor of Antakly Projects, the independent cultural platform she launched in New York in 2003 as Ninu Nina. Syrian and Colombian, she began her career at Vogue Italia and has spent more than twenty years in conversation with artists, musicians, designers, photographers, and inspiring thinkers around the world.

https://www.ninunina.com/
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