Ricky Flores was born in New York to Puerto Rican parents in 1961. His father, Pastor Flores, was a merchant seaman, and his mother, Ana Luisa Flores, a garment worker, who lived in the Tremont section of the Bronx during the early 60’s. Flores’ father died in 1965 from bronchial asthma and his mother moved the family to Longwood section of the Bronx, where he was raised. Flores started documenting life in the South Bronx after he purchased a camera with a small inheritance he received from his father in 1980. It started a journey of self-discovery born out of photographing the lives of his friends and family during one of the most turbulent times in the history of Bronx during the 70s through the 90s, and New York City.

Over the years Flores free-lanced for The Daily News, The New York Times, The City Sun and The Village Voice. He worked as a photojournalist for the The Journal News, part of the USAToday Network for 25 years.. Flores was recognized for his coverage of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 and is a two time winner of the New York Press Publishers award for Spot News. He has a permanent installation at I.S. 206 in the Tremont section of the Bronx commissioned by School Construction Authority the Department of Cultural Affairs, and the New York City Board of Education. He currently works at CUNY Lehman where he teaches photojournalism.