Mike Ruiz - Pit Successful Model, Internationally renowned Celebrity, Luxury and Fashion photographer, Pit Bull Rescuer and Animal Advocate. Mike Ruiz - Model & Photographer: Magazine’s Mascot and cover of our last “We are all Winners“ advocacy Issue. MR: The friend that I stay with in Los Angeles was fostering him and on one fateful trip to LA, I walked in the door, he ran up to me, sat at my feet and one look from his big brown soulful eyes told me that I was his person and he was my son. lick spotlight - breed advocate
Besides being a gorgeous hunk and former fashion model yourself how did you transition from being the subject in front of the camera to the eye behind the lens? LM: Tell us briefly about your most memorable career highlights as a model and/or as a photographer. MR: I actually got a camera for Xmas in 1993 and immediately became obsessed. I put in my 10,000 hours and voilà, a career was born. Working with one of my musical idols, Prince. The shoot went so well that he began requesting me for everything. LM: Having the experience of being on both sides of the camera must create a unique perspective that few photographers experience. Do you think this experience has helped give your work its cutting edge look and reputation? MR: Having been on the receiving end of mean and aggressive photographers as a model, I told myself that I would always be respectful to my subjects. That has garnered me the reputation of being one of the more pleasant photographers to work with. LM: Any highlights you might want to mention or share about some of your most exciting celebrity or cutting edge brands Please share some Interesting or funny stories. MR: Having "Prince" call me up on stage at Madison Square Garden and shouting me out in front of a packed house. That was extremely surreal. Mike Ruiz - The Advocate and Pit Bull Rescuer: LM: How did you end up as an animal advocate? And how and why Pit Bulls? Was it by plan, accident or fate? MR: It was totally by accident. I haphazardly met and fell in love with a Pit Bull type dog named Oliver in 2012 and he inspired me to help dogs like him, who have been abused, neglected and discarded like trash. LM: How did you come across your beautiful Pit Bull “Oliver” the amazing rescue that we are delighted to have as Lick
LM: Did you have dogs before Oliver?
MR: I did have dogs throughout my life and I loved them all very deeply but Oliver was my soul mate. The connection I had with him was the most profound I’ve ever had with any human or dog. LM: What happened to Oliver? Is lymphoma a typical disease for dogs or Pits?
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