Jesse Andrews studied at the New England School of Photography in Boston, Mass., working primarily with Olive Pierce and George Dewolfe. In 1976 he began photographing the rapidly changing rural landscape of Southern Virginia. He extensively documented farm auctions there, and has accumulated thousands of images of the disappearing agricultural landscape.

In 2001 he completed a year-long documentary, including photographs and oral histories, of one tobacco farm and its daily workings. Titled THE THIRTEEN MONTH CROP, the project was funded by the Virginia Foundation for Humanities and completed under the auspices of the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University. That exhibit is currently traveling. Andrews' photographs of Latino H2A workers were chosen for inclusion in an exhibit at the International center of Photography in New York titled ONLY SKIN DEEP, CHANGING VISIONS OF THE AMERICAN SELF, which opened in December, 2003.

In 2002 he designed, with the aid of the Dan River Arts Alliance, a photography course for elementary schools called EXPERIENCING PHOTOGRAPHY, and has taught that course in North Carolina public schools.

Andrews has been a guest lecturer at Duke University and his work is being archived by Perkins Library at Duke. His work has appeared in DOUBLE TAKE magazine, and has been shown in numerous galleries. He is currently completing a project about disabled veterans from WW II.

About his work Andrews says, "Photography takes on a life of its own after a point. It seems to control me as much as I do it. Photography is not only a powerful teaching tool but also a source of great joy and beauty in my life. The camera not only allows us to examine our own lives, but also gives us unique insight into the lives of others, as well as the world around us."