is an American portrait photographer. She is best known for her engaging portraits—particularly of celebrities—which often feature subjects in intimate settings and poses.

She photographed John Lennon on the day he was murdered, and her work has been used on numerous album covers and magazines. She became the first woman to hold an exhibition at Washington's National Portrait

In 1970, she started her career as staff photographer, working for Rolling Stone magazine. In 1973, publisher Jann Wenner named Leibovitz chief photographer of Rolling Stone, a job she would hold for 10 years.

Leibovitz worked for the magazine until 1983, and her intimate photographs of celebrities helped define the Rolling Stone look.

While working for Rolling Stone, Leibovitz learned that she could work for magazines and still create personal work of her family which for her was the most important.

“You don’t get the opportunity to do this kind of intimate work except with the people you love, the people who will put up with you. They’re the people who open their hearts and souls and lives to you. You must take care of them.”

On December 8, 1980, Leibovitz had a photo shoot with John Lennon for Rolling Stone, and she promised him he would make the cover.

She had initially tried to get a picture with just Lennon alone, as Rolling Stone wanted, but Lennon insisted that both he and Yoko Ono be on the cover.

Leibovitz then tried to re-create something like the kissing scene from the couple's Double Fantasy 1980 album cover, a picture Leibovitz loved, and she had John remove his clothes and curl up next to Yoko on the floor. Leibovitz recalls, "What is interesting is she said she'd take her top off and I said, 'Leave everything on'‍—‌not really preconceiving the picture at all.

Then he curled up next to her and it was very, very strong.

You couldn't help but feel that he was cold and he looked like he was clinging on to her.

I think it was amazing to look at the first Polaroid and they were both very excited. John said, 'You've captured our relationship exactly. Promise me it'll be on the cover.'

I looked him in the eye and we shook on it."[14] Leibovitz was the last person to professionally photograph Lennon‍—‌he was shot and killed five hours later.[15]

She was awarded The Royal Photographic Society's Centenary Medal and Honorary Fellowship (HonFRPS) in recognition of a sustained, significant contribution to the art of photography in 2009.

Comments:

Jeffrey Gershom

Annie, you're awesome!

Ken5imaging

Thank You

Michael Bryant

as I listen to her speak I can't help but be reminded of Dean Collins in the way she speaks and the way she has to get Her shot the way she wants, anyone else see or hear this?

Lawrence Petersen

Wow!! Thanks :-)

cachitakhusha

Susan Sontag was Annie's "lover", partner... what ever.

Back in 1993, when this documentary was made they did not dare come out.

Some time in 1985 I was rushing around a corner in the Upper West Side when I literally bumped into Annie and Debra Winger having a huge argument/fight, later somebody told me they were a couple.

It certainly looked that way.  Oh well, just updating her comments on Susan Sontag being "an influence" on her work.  Even the rich and famous don't escape homophobia.

Michael Hanson

I wish it had discussed the Baryshnikov and Besserer photo on the beach.  I would love to know the story behind that.  Thanks for posting!

Bob Reid

a  gem

Jennifer Carr

Hunter S Thompson sounds like the narrator in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Michael Charles

beautiful story and pics...