About Les Ward

Born and raised in Detroit, Les Ward is a professional advertising photographer who used his craft to create and produce the MyTown Miracles community project. MyTown Miracles serves to raise positive awareness of Detroit by showcasing a multitude of the city’s strong business and community leaders in a series of nearly 70 environmental photographic portraits.

In 1986, Ward founded Les Ward Photography, Inc.. Major automotive and lifestyle clients have included Chrysler, General Motors, Volkswagen, Audi, Mazda, Subaru, Jacuzzi and Warner Music. Professional assignments have taken Ward to cities throughout North America.

While running his own business, Ward has mentored students, given lectures, provided studio tours and conducted demonstrations at various schools including College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Oakland CommunityCollege in Royal Oak, Mich., and Lansing Community College in Lansing, Mich. He also recently coached participants in the Self-Expression and Leadership Program at Landmark Education’s Detroit branch.

Through the years, Ward has won numerous major local and national creative industry awards including a Mobius Award, and several International Andy and Caddy Awards (now, the local D Award). Ward has also been selected several times by a jury for inclusion in the prestigious Communication Arts Photo Annual.

Ward studied Industrial and Advertising Design at the Society of Arts and Crafts (currently known as the College for Creative Studies) in Detroit. He is a graduate of Cass Technical High School in Detroit. 

Ward’s achievements outside of his photography are many. He is a distance runner who has qualified for the Boston Marathon seven times as well as a Federal Aviation Administration Certified private pilot with an instrument rating.  Ward is also an accomplished drummer, cancer survivor and devoted father.