Inspired by Mike Ruiz

I find Mike Ruiz, a New-York-based fashion photographer very inspirational. Mike is originally from Canada. He was born and raised in Repentigny, a suburb in Montreal in a very humble environment. In one of his interviews Mike recalls, “My parents were very blue-color. They never brought me to the museums, we never traveled, but I knew I had this wonder lost in me.  I remember when I was six years old, and looking at my environment and thinking ‘Oh my God, when can I get the hell out of here?’  I always knew from very early age that something bigger was waiting for me.”  

Can you believe that Mike was a chubby little kid who was bullied in school? Look at him now! He is in incredible shape!

When he was almost 30 years old, he received a photo camera as a Christmas gift and became obsessed with photography. Mike was comfortable being in front of the camera – he worked as a male model since he was 17, but that Christmas gift turned everything around. Now Mike is behind the camera, capturing the hottest Hollywood celebrities, directing video clips and judging TV shows.     

I find Mike especially inspirational because he envisioned his future life, visualized it and created his own unique success story. He used to have a dream of being a part of an entertainment business and being friends with celebrities. He says that his life became a manifestation of his fantasies.