Annie Leibovitz (b. 1949, Connecticut) is perhaps one of the most widely celebrated American photographers.
She is noted for her engaging portraits, which often feature subjects in intimate settings and poses. Originally intending to become an art teacher, she switched to photography and took night classes to further her education.
Her reputation for enigmatic celebrity portraits developed during her career as staff – and subsequently, chief – photographer for Rolling Stone, positions she held for thirteen years. Her style came to define the magazine’s aesthetics.
Annie possess an acute ability to capture the inner life of her subjects. This is exemplified by one of her most famous portraits – a photograph of Yoko Ono and John Lennon, taken five hours before his death on 8th December, 1980, in which a naked Lennon curls up next to Ono.
Although Annie is predominantly recognised for famous portraits such as these, her concurrent desire to create personal work exemplifies the sensitivity of her approach, no matter the subject.
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