All About Annie Leibovitz

Photographer Annie Leibovitz (B. 1949) is well known for being an acclaimed portrait artist and has been able to capture many celebrities in her unique style. She has won several awards for her photographs and has been recognised as a thought leader in photography throughout her career. Most notably, she was the first woman to have a featured exhibition in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC. In this article, we will discuss Annie Leibovitz’s early life and fantastic career as an artist. 

annie leibovitz

Annie Leibovitz Personal Life

Annie Leibovitz was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, and went to high school in Maryland, where her interest in art emerged. She then went to the San Francisco Art Institute for school as she wanted to become an art teacher. She always knew that she wanted to pursue art in her future and thought that this was the best path to achieve her goals. She knew that she would rather do photography after completing her first workshop at the university. And so Annie Leibovitz photography was born and her brand continues to develop throughout the late 1900s and into the present day. 

Although Annie was fortunate by many accounts, Leibovitz did go through a period of financial struggles during her adulthood. She even had lawsuits filed against her from the Art Capital Group and Brunswick Capital Group. Eventually, this led Annie to leave New York City, where she had spent the bulk of her career, as she needed to sell her townhouse. has been through many ups and downs throughout her life but none of her difficult life experiences has prevented her from reaching her potential as an artist. 

Annie Leibovitz Career

Leibovitz has held a long career as a high-profile photographer. She has held many positions with museums and magazines, and subsequently, her fame has grown organically over time. Now many of the Annie Leibovitz works can be recognised across the globe. 

Annie’s most significant positions:

  • Rolling Stone Magazine (1970-1980): Annie was a key photographer that helped shape the brand into what it is today. She has the opportunity to photograph The Rolling Stones and John Lennon during her time with the magazine. She is best known for capturing Lennon on her Polaroid camera just five hours before his untimely death.
  • Vanity Fair (1983)
  • Vogue (1998)
  • Brooklyn Museum (2007)

Celebrities photographed by Leibovitz:

  • John Lennon
  • Yoko Ono
  • Whoopi Goldberg 
  • Bruce Springsteen 
  • Cyndi Lauper 
  • Miley Cyrus 
  • Bill Gates 
  • The Obama family

Annie Leibovitz Awards and Fame

As you can see, Annie’s career has been hugely successful, and her works are world-renowned. So it is no surprise that she has won countless awards for her art during her long career. Much of the recognition she has received has been through photographing high-profile artists and celebrities, many of which have been featured on well-known platforms.

Annie’s awards include:

  • The PAEZ medal of art
  • The LUCIE awards
  • ADC Hall of Fame
  • Prince of Asturias Award for Communication

The Most Well-Known of Annie Leibovitz Photos

Annie Leibovitz’s most famous photo featured John Lennon and Yoko Ono. It shows Ono earnestly lying on the bed in jeans and a dark, fitted top. John Lennon is then pictured naked next to her in a fetal position kissing her head. 

This photo became extremely famous because of the timing. Shockingly, the photograph was taken before Lennon was shot and killed outside of his home just five hours later. The photo is now known as the couple’s last kiss. It shows both love and loss in one moment. It has gone down as one of the most famous photos in rock and roll history. You can read more about their marriage and the significance of the photo on the Annie Leibovitz website by Artsy

Some of her other famous works include: 

  • Joan Armatrading’s album cover
  • Sonia Braga’s American Express campaign
  • Linda Ronstadt for Rolling Stones
  • Demi Moore for Vanity Fair
  • Marion Cotillard for Vogue for her handbag collection
  • Fleetwood Mac on the cover of The Rolling Stones

FAQ

Where was Annie Leibovitz born?

Annie was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, in 1949. Her father was in the U.S. Air Force, while Annie’s mother worked locally as a professional dance instructor. Therefore, her creative genes are likely from her mother’s side. 

What kind of photographers inspired Leibovitz?

Her two biggest inspirations for photography came from Robert Frank and Henri Cartier-Bressen during her time in college. These artists have undoubtedly had a profound impact on Annie Leibovitz portraits. 

Does Annie Leibovitz have any children?

Annie Leibovitz has three children. Her eldest daughter was born in 2001, and her youngest daughters, who are twins, were born via a surrogate mother in 2005.

Is Annie Leibovitz religious? 

While she does not explicitly say how religious she is or if she practises a particular religion. However, Annie has said that she feels Jewish as her parents are both of Jewish heritage. 

What is Annie Leibovitz Instagram or a website?

You can Leibovitz on social media @annieleibovitz. You can also find Annie’s work and more information about her photography among other contemporary artists on the Imitate Modern Instagram

Conclusion 

As you can see the photographer Leibovitz has had quite an exceptional career. She has held multiple positions at various high profile agencies, and she has had the opportunity to photograph celebrities from different eras. She is well known for capturing their lives so perfectly and beautifully and, of course, for her timely photo of John Lennon just hours before his death. 

If you are interested in purchasing Annie Leibovitz’s pieces, you can browse a selection of her contemporary art for sale in London’s Imitate Modern Gallery. Her work makes exceptional pieces for any home or office wall to add a touch of elegance and history to your room.

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