Name: Mike Ruiz, our favorite photographer on America’s Next Top Model, interviewed by GayCities New York editor JJ Keyes
Home: New York
Hails from: Montreal, Quebec
Relationship Status: Hitched
Favorite City: NYC
Fav NYC ‘hood in New York: Chelsea
Spotted on a New York Friday night: Dinner at The Dish in Chelsea
Hey Mike! We’re huge fans of yours. How did you get started?
Had an epiphany when I got a camera for xmas 16 years ago.
Who were your influences early on?
Pierre and Gilles, Ruven Afanador
We always love seeing you on RuPaul’s Drag Race. What’s it like working on the show and with RuPaul?
Any opportunity I have to hang with RuPaul, I gladly take. We both have a demented sense of humor.
What have you been working on lately?
Tons. I just directed a music video for Erika Jayne that I’m very proud of, just did an episode My Life on the D List with Kathy Griffin, shot a L’Oreal campaign for Latin America and a bunch of celeb shoots for various magazines.
Where are some of your favorite places to take pictures in New York City?
From my penthouse apartment
Favorite galleries/museums?
Moma and all the galleries in Chelsea
Your client list is out of this world. Can you share any fun stories from recent shoots?
Got a private performance from Prince between shots recently. Pretty surreal
Favorite places to shop in New York?
Bergdorfs, Barneys
If you decided to spend a night out in New York and money were no object, what would you do?
I’d have a fancy catered affair on my rooftop which has the most mind blowing views in Manhattan.
Photos courtesy Mike Ruiz
