About Jay

Portrait of Jay Maisel

Brooklyn, 1934

After studying painting and graphic design at Cooper Union and Yale, Jay Maisel began his career in photography in 1954. While his portfolio includes the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Miles Davis, he is perhaps best known for capturing the light, color, and gesture found in everyday life.

Some of his commercial accomplishments include five Sports Illustrated swimsuit covers, the first two covers of New York Magazine, the cover of Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue (the best-selling jazz album of all time), twelve years of advertising with United Technologies, and awards from such organizations as International Center for Photography, American Society of Media Photographers, Art Directors Club, Professional Photographers of America, and The Cooper Union.

Since he stopped taking on commercial work in the late ’90s, Jay has continued to focus on his personal work. He has developed a reputation as a giving and inspiring teacher as a result of extensive lecturing and photography workshops throughout the country. He also continues to sell prints, which can be found in private, corporate, and museum collections.

Awards & Accomplishments

  • Lifetime Achievement Award PSW 2015
  • Lifetime Achievement Award PPA 2003
  • Lifetime Achievement Award ASMP 1996
  • The Art Director’s Club Hall of Fame The Art Director’s Club 1995
  • Infinity Award for Applied Photography ICP 1987
  • Gold Medal Award for Photography Art Director’s Club of NY 1986 and 1987
  • Photographer of the Year ASMP 1986
  • The Newhouse Citation Syracuse School of Public Communications 1979
  • Outstanding Achievement in Photography ASMP 1978
  • Saint Gauden’s Medal Cooper Union 1977

Past Exhibitions

  • Blazing Editions Jay Maisel: 60 Years of Photography NY and LA 2016/2017
  • Maine Media Gallery On Seeing Rockport ME 2015
  • Fairfield Museum IMAGES Fairfield CT 2010
  • Hallmark Museum of Contemporary Photography Turner’s Falls MA 2006
  • Houston FotoFest Houston TX 2004
  • Banca Popolare Vincentina Vicenza Italy 1994
  • Light on  America ICP NY 1986
  • Photographers’ Gallery London England 1979
  • Alternative Center for International Arts NY 1976
  • USIA Exhibit USSR 1965
  • Limelight NY NY 1960 (B&W)
  • Roy de Caravas’ Photographers’ Gallery NY 1955 (B&W)

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