Annie Leibovitz

"I sometimes find the surface interesting. To say that the mark of a good portrait is whether you get them or get the soul - I don't think this is possible all of the time."– Annie Leibovitz

Annie LeibovitzBorn: October 2, 1949, in Waterbury, Connecticut

In 1967, Leibovitz enrolled at the San Francisco Art Institute, (initially studying painting)

Photographer Robert Frank and Henri Cartier-Bresson both influenced her while she was at the San Francisco Art Institute.

“Their style of personal reportage – taken in a graphic way- was what we were taught to emulate.” –Annie Leibovitz

Richard Avedon’s portraits were an important and powerful example in her life too.

The start of her career:

In 1970, she applied for a job with the start-up rock music magazine Rolling Stone.

At age 23, Leibovitz was promoted to chief photographer for 10 years.

She accompany the Rolling Stone’s band on their 1975 international tour.

Rolling Stone

In 1980, Leibovitz travelled to New York to photograph John Lennon together with his wife Yoko Ono, they had just released their album “Double Fantasy”.

John looked at the photo and said, “ You’ve captured our relationship exactly”.

This photo is still to this day a famous photo for both Annie and the Rolling Stones. Leibovitz was the last person to professionally photograph Lennon—he was shot and killed five hours later.

The picture was run on the cover for Rolling Stone Magazine John Lennon commemorative issue.

Vanity Fair

In 1983, Leibovitz left Rolling Stone and began working for the entertainment magazine Vanity Fair.

Leibovitz work has been both stunning and controversial. For example: a photography of Demi Moore pregnant and nude. Another example is Whoopi Goldberg half-submerged in a bathtub of milk.

More Accomplishments:

She worked on many advertising campaigns. The most notable was the American Express “Membership” campaign, it earned her a 1987 Clio Award.

In 1991, she had an exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum, entitle “Annie Leibovitz: A Photographer’s life, 1990-2005.

A book titled Photographs: Annie Leibovitz 1970-1990 was published to accompany the show.

In 2003, She did a Alice and Wonderland shoot for Vogue made in 2003.

Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of American Vogue, says that Leibovitz goes crazy and budget is not something that ends at her contentedness. But it is worth it, because at the end of the day she gives you an image that no one else can – she cares.

Queen Elizabeth II

In 2007, The BBC asked Leibovitz to shoot Queen Elizabeth before her official visit to the United States.

She was the first American being asked to make an official portrait of the Queen.

Walt Disney Company

In 2007, the Walt Disney Company hired her to do a series of photographs with celebrities in various roles and scenes for Disney Parks “Year of a Million Dreams” campaign.

Controversy

A recent controversial photo taken by Leibovitz was of actress, Miley Cyrus. At age 15, Miley Cyrus posed topless for a photo shoot for Vanity Fair.

Leibovitz respond to the critique by saying, “I'm sorry that my portrait of Miley has been misinterpreted.” "Miley and I looked at fashion photographs together and we discussed the picture in that context before we shot it. The photograph is a simple, classic portrait, shot with very little makeup, and I think it is very beautiful.” –People Magazine

Annie Leibovitz is known taking photographs that reveal the characteristics and soul of the person posing.

She uses a technique working with bold primary colors and unexpected poses.

Leibovitz pictures are provocative and eye-catching, she is not afraid of expressing and showing what no one else does.

Sources: "People." PEOPLE.com. N.p., 28 Apr. 2008. Web. 19 Oct. 2012. <http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C20195876%2C00.html>.

http://www.fashionmanagement.se/pict/showreel/critical/AnnieLeibovitz_HannaAronsson.pdf

"Annie Leibovitz Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2012. <http://www.biography.com/people/annie-leibovitz-9542372>.

Smith, Roberta. "ART REVIEW; Photographer to the Stars, With an Earthbound Side." The New York Times. The New York Times, 20 Oct. 2006. Web. 19 Oct. 2012. <http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/20/arts/design/20anni.html?pagewanted=all>.