Meet JC Ruiz | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with JC Ruiz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi JC, what’s the most important think you’ve done for your children?
I believe the most important thing I’ve done is allowed my kids to be themselves. To be inquisitive and do what makes them happy such as drawing or riding bikes around the neighborhood. To often we try to pigeonhole our kids into these things we think society will only accept for them. We train them to do things to make others happy instead of trying to listen to what makes them happy. Granted they still need to perform well in school, do chores and eat healthy, but I’m not going to stop him from playing with action figures if that is what makes him happy. I want my kids to be creative and use their imagination. I also want them to know that the only person who can makes them feel happy is themselves and not to look for approval from others, but only from themselves.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a photographer and while I’m know mostly from my sports photography I also photograph wedding, travel/landscapes,portraits and more. I often wonder how I got to where I am today. I shoot for the NFL and MLB and I’ve traveled to other cities to shoot on behalf of them and each time I go out to shoot I feel like the luckiest person alive. A lesson I learned very early on is that it is a small world between sports photographers. Everyone knows someone etc. and if you’re a jerk etc. your name and rep will be known to all. Same goes if you’re a good person. I’ve been referred for other jobs just because I was nice to some people and I’ve done the same as well. That is why its important to be nice because you never know who someone may know etc.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If someone was visiting me here in South Florida, there is something to do every day. We can head to Miami Beach and just walk around soaking in all the Art Deco hotels and buildings and stop for dinner and drinks. I can also take them out to the Florida Everglades and go on an airboat and checkout out all the diverse wildlife that inhabits the Everglades. For the more trendy and hip spots, we could check out all the local artists and bars in the Wynwood section of Miami. That is why I love South Florida so much; there is an abundance of things to do and places to go.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would definitely say my wife. She has allowed me to be me and accepted me as such. She offers encouragement, support and most of all love when it’s needed. She also isn’t afraid to point out when I’m wrong or speak up when she potentially sees an issue with a choice or decision.

Website: https://www.jcruizphotography.com
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jcruizphotography
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jcruizllc
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jcruizphoto