Jay Fleming

Jay Fleming is an American photographer specializing in the documentation of Chesapeake Bay’s watermen, wildlife, and environmental issues affecting the region. Based on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, he has published the books Working the Water and Island Life (2021) and conducts photography workshops focused on Chesapeake Bay culture and ecosystems.

Early life Fleming was born and raised in Annapolis, Maryland, and also lived in Lewes, Delaware. His parents’ careers influenced his early life; his father worked as a photographer for National Geographic, and his mother held a position at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). His exposure to both nature and photography began at a young age. His father often took him along on photography excursions, allowing him to learn photography hands-on with a Nikon film camera handed down from his father.

In 2016, Fleming self-published his first book, Working the Water, a photojournalistic collection that illustrated the lives of watermen, crab pickers, and boat builders. He spent three years gathering images, immersing himself in the Chesapeake's seafood culture and capturing scenes from harvesting to processing. Fleming's second book, Island Life, published in 2021, focused on Smith Island and Tangier Island, exploring the unique cultures of these islands in the Chesapeake Bay. His photographs documented local traditions, as well as the impacts of rising sea levels and climate change on the Bay's islands.

Personal life Jay Fleming resides in Annapolis, Maryland.