·      Media Queries, Event/Booking Information and Review Copy Requests:

Jay Fleming

jaypfleming@gmail.com

(410)279-8730

 

·      Title: Working the Water

·      Author: Jay Fleming

·      Publisher: Fleming Creative

·      Genre: Photography & Art

·      Date of Publication: 2016

·      Retail Price: $50

·      Pages: 280

·      Full Summary

Jay Fleming’s first book, “Working the Water,” is a visual narrative of the lives of those individuals whose livelihood is directly dependent upon the Chesapeake Bay — America’s largest estuary. The book comprises photographs of seasoned watermen, scenic seascapes, weathered workboats and bay bounty — a true and complete depiction of Chesapeake Bay life.

Fleming has spent the past three years actively documenting the fascinating and rapidly changing way of life of those who make their living off of the Bay’s resources. He has travelled thousands of miles around the Bay's watershed and photographed hundreds of individuals and dozens of fisheries with the goal of documenting all aspects of the Bay-influenced industries.

Organized chronologically by season, “Working the Water” illustrates a behind-the-scenes view of commercial fisheries not visible to the average seafood consumer. From underwater shots of the fish in their natural habitat to images of them being harvested, and ultimately processed, Jay’s collection of photographs creates an all-encompassing vignette of the seafood industry that is sure to evoke a newfound appreciation for the seafood on your plate.

Equal parts informative and aesthetically pleasing, Jay’s flagship book, “Working the Water,” is relevant to the seafood enthusiast, the history buff, the biologist, photography fan and Chesapeake Bay lover alike.

·      Truncated Summary

Jay Fleming’s first book, “Working the Water,” is a visual narrative of the lives of those individuals whose livelihood is directly dependent upon the Chesapeake Bay — America’s largest estuary. The book comprises photographs of seasoned watermen, scenic seascapes, weathered workboats and bay bounty — a true and complete depiction of Chesapeake Bay life. Equal parts informative and aesthetically pleasing, Jay’s flagship book, “Working the Water,” is relevant to the seafood enthusiast, the history buff, the biologist, photography fan, and Chesapeake Bay lover alike. 

 

"The people that catch our fish are often forgotten about in the farm to table narratives. Jay Fleming does a masterful job of not only telling the story of these hardworking people, but also using breathtaking imagery to do it. Jay shows a side of the industry that few ever see in a way that makes you truly appreciate what it takes to get that seafood to your plate."

- Brian Voltaggio, Top Chef & Top Chef Masters Finalist, Restauranteur

 

"Jay Fleming’s images allow consumers to make a connection between the food that is on their plate and the people it took to get it there. Too often in the seafood industry the hard work that it takes to harvest these products is a mystery. These photos shed some light on this often forgotten part of the industry and help to tell the story of what we eat."

- Steve Vilnit, Director of Marketing & Business Development, JJ McDonnell Seafood

 

 
 

·      Full Bio

It would seem that Jay had discovered his passion of photography upon inheriting his father’s hand-me-down film Nikon camera, at the young age of fourteen. Jay immediately developed an affinity to looking at life through the lens of his camera and what ensued was an exciting photographic journey that would eventually lead him to his career as professional photographer.

Though beginning under the tutelage of his father, former National Geographic photographer, Jay naturally developed a photographic style and identity all his own. Through experimentation, an incredible amount of patience & preparation, and countless hours spent researching potential photo opportunities, Jay began to capture such awe-inspiring photographs on his own. A pair of Yellowstone Cutthroat trout underwater, the last house on Holland Island reflecting in the rippling water just before it collapsed, and a fleet of wooden Skipjacks against an ominous grey sky are among Jay’s earliest works that reflect his current style.

 Jay considers himself to be extremely fortunate to have found a livelihood that both satisfies his creativity and simultaneously supports his beliefs in environmental conservation. Jay spent the summers of 2011 and 2012 working in Yellowstone National Park to preserve the park’s dwindling population of native Cutthroat trout. During this time, he was able to explore his surroundings and capture some of the iconic beauty of the park’s landscape and wildlife—however, what was most memorable to him was the fact that some of those very photographs directly contributed to raising awareness to the conservation efforts being made. Jay’s photographs of these threatened Cutthroat Trout appeared in a National Geographic publication that informed the public of the increasing threat of invasive species.

 Closer to his home in Annapolis, Maryland; Jay has turned his attention towards the Chesapeake Bay. Jay spent three years documenting all aspects of the Bay’s rapidly changing seafood industry for his first book, Working the Water, released in the fall of 2016. From underwater photographs of Blue Crabs swimming in lush beds of underwater grasses to incredibly poignant portraits of laborers working in a oyster shucking house, to portraits of watermen in their deadrise boats leaving the dock before sunrise, Jay illustrated the full spectrum of the Chesapeake Bay’s fisheries in Working the Water. This title is currently in its third and final printing.

  Jay’s documentation of the iconic seafood industry proved to be an incredibly powerful educational tool in raising awareness for the people and the processes involved with bringing commonly commonly consumed seafood products to market. In the fall of 2017, amidst other photography and video projects, Jay committed to his second book, Island Life. Jay after 10 years of making trips to Smith and Tangier Islands - the two only inhabited offshore islands in the Chesapeake Bay - Jay developed an affinity for the environment and the island communities. Island Life will explore the environment and the seasonal Chesapeake harvests that provide the rhythm for community life, while documenting the tenacity and determination of the Smith and Tangier islanders who honor their traditions while facing an uncertain future. Island Life is expected to be released in October of 2021.

Whether it’s a dramatic sunrise over the water or a fishermen hauling gear, the passion for his craft and for visual storytelling is obvious in every photograph. Jay’s talent is undeniable, his is photography is not only beautiful but purposeful.  

 

·      Truncated Bio

Jay discovered his passion of photography upon inheriting his father, former National Geographic photographer, Kevin, hand-me-down Nikon film camera at the age of 13. Jay immediately developed an affinity to looking at life through the lens of his camera and what ensued was an exciting photographic journey that would eventually lead him to his career as a professional photographer. At the age of 31, Jay has an extensive portfolio that is sure to impress. Jay’s first book, Working the Water - a photographic narrative of the Chesapeake Bay seafood industry, is in its third printing and his second book, Island Life, is expected to be released in the fall of 2021.

 

·      Photographer Portraits

·      How did you decide on the subject matter for your first book?

·      Who would benefit from looking at this book?

·      Where can readers purchase your book?

·      Can you describe how you go about getting a particular shot? Is it premeditated, or do great shots just “happen?”

·      Can you tell us about any notable people that you’ve met over the past three years that you’ve spent photographing for “Working the Water”?

·      Who inspires your work? What other photographers do you admire and why?

·      Do you have a trailer for your book? If so, where can we view it?

·      What do you hope that your readers take away with them?

·      Is your book available in any other formats besides print?

·      Are the photos in this book available for purchase?

·      We want to know a little bit about the behind-the-scenes life of Jay Fleming. Can you describe an average day?

·      Most people who meet you are surprised to see that the person behind some of their favorite photographs is so young. Why do you think this is?

·      You live in Annapolis, Md., correct? What are a few of your favorite things about that area, and how have they influenced your photography?

·      What is the most memorable response to your artwork that you have experienced?