"Photography is the perfect present"
Johnny Arráiz
Bio by journalist Camilo Gomez
Known for his outstanding work in showbiz and entertainment, Johnny Arráiz is considered one of the best photographers by leading industry publications worldwide.
From Venezuela, Johnny was born in the city of Valencia, Carabobo state, where he began his career in the arts at an early age. At 17, he showed his broad talent at the Centro Moderno of Valencia, first as a student of Graphic Design and then as a teacher in this institution, shortly after starting.
His first job was at “El Carabobeño”, his hometown paper, considered the most important newspaper in central Venezuela, where he worked as proofreader, becoming the youngest person to hold such an important and sensitive position in the history of the publication.
During his time at the Centro Moderno of Valencia, Johnny Arráiz decided to take a new challenge and majored in Advertising and then in Marketing, steps that motivated him in his career to grow both professionally and personally and that were the basis for the birth of the company Arráiz Advertising, founded jointly with his mother, Luisa Arráiz; the company became one of the most respected agencies in Valencia, thanks to the talent, dedication and the strong foundation of family unity, values that have always been part of this professional.
In 2003, Johnny Arráiz decided to embark on new challenges and adventures and moved to Miami, where he not only took care of the social pages of different media, but also became part of the Miami Venezuelan National Foundation, first as a member and later as the director, which made clear his interest and love for Venezuela.
Since then Johnny Arráiz works as a businessman, dedicated to fashion, beauty and art photography in the city of Miami, where he has his photo studio. He has worked with leading names in the world of fashion, such as renowned Venezuelan fashion designer and photographer Nicholas Felizola, for whom he shot all kinds of fashion editorials and helped him in photography, graphic design and advertising. One of his most important works alongside Felizola was the book "María Bonita, ícono de la moda" (Maria Bonita, Fashion Icon) that the designer dedicated to his idol, Mexican diva Maria Felix and for which Johnny did the graphic design and photography of the clothes Felizola acquired at Christie's Auction House in New York.
His art photography work has crossed borders and has received rave reviews and praise in national and international art spheres; this has opened doors for him in prestigious galleries and art events, where he has received high distinctions.
In 2008, his series of eco-artistic photographs was invited to be part of "Green Art Fair", an art exhibition held as part of Art Basel Miami to promote green initiatives and the conservation of the planet. Similarly, in May 2010, April 2011, May 2012, and September 2013, some of his photographs were exhibited as part of the Latin American Pavilion at "Shanghai Art" in China.
His latest project is a calendar for 2015 of Miami iconic sites, a tribute that Johnny wants to pay to the city where he grew professionally as a photographer. The calendar, which contains stunning images of Miami taken with the artistic eye of the talented photographer, will be presented to the public on Fall and will be available from that date in different outlets and online.
These achievements, along with his artistic sensibility, have made Johnny Arráiz one of the leading photographers in the industry, to the point that the Fashion Haus Hotel in Miami Beach, the first hotel in the world that recognizes professionals in fashion, honored him by naming one, #218, of its rooms after him.
Moreover, in December 2012, Johnny received a special recognition from the Congress of the United States of America for his invaluable service to the community and for always keeping up to date with industry trends.