Annie Leibovitz. her journey as a photographer
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
her journey as a photographer...
• Annie Leibovitz was born October 2, 1949, in Waterbury, Connecticut. Her mother who is known as Marilyn Leibovitz was a modern dance instructor while her father, Sam Leibovitz was a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force. Annie and her family moved very often due to her fathers duty assignments. Leibovitz took her first photographs during the Vietnam War. However, she started using a camera the way most people do, to take photographs of her family. • 1967, Leibovitz studied painting at the San Francisco Art Institute, but was captivated by photography, so she decided to take night classes. • In 1970, Leibovitz applied for a job at the Rolling Stone magazine. Jann Wenner (editor of the Rolling Stones) was very impressed with Leibovitz’s portfolio and offered her a job as a staff photographer. After 2 years within the industry and working the prominent magazine, Leibovitz was then promoted to Chief photographer, a title she maintained for 10 years. • During the Rolling Stone tour, Leibovitz developed her own style of photography. Her trademark was using bold primary colours and surprising poses. After every show, Leibovitz wanted to photograph the band together while they were pumped, but could never get a shot. She had spoken to them for a long period of time mentioning how good they looked whilst being sweaty and excited, but could never stop and take a photo. One night in LA (los angeles) Leibovitz hired an assistant to help her hand seamless paper and set up a strobe outside the stage door. In order for her to get her shot the band had to walk across the paper to get to their cars. She got about 4-5 frames in that moment when they stopped, looked and laughed. By the time she left the magazine she had shot 142
“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
her journey as a photographer...
• Annie Leibovitz was born October 2, 1949, in Waterbury, Connecticut. Her mother who is known as Marilyn Leibovitz was a modern dance instructor while her father, Sam Leibovitz was a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force. Annie and her family moved very often due to her fathers duty assignments. Leibovitz took her first photographs during the Vietnam War. However, she started using a camera the way most people do, to take photographs of her family. • 1967, Leibovitz studied painting at the San Francisco Art Institute, but was captivated by photography, so she decided to take night classes. • In 1970, Leibovitz applied for a job at the Rolling Stone magazine. Jann Wenner (editor of the Rolling Stones) was very impressed with Leibovitz’s portfolio and offered her a job as a staff photographer. After 2 years within the industry and working the prominent magazine, Leibovitz was then promoted to Chief photographer, a title she maintained for 10 years. • During the Rolling Stone tour, Leibovitz developed her own style of photography. Her trademark was using bold primary colours and surprising poses. After every show, Leibovitz wanted to photograph the band together while they were pumped, but could never get a shot. She had spoken to them for a long period of time mentioning how good they looked whilst being sweaty and excited, but could never stop and take a photo. One night in LA (los angeles) Leibovitz hired an assistant to help her hand seamless paper and set up a strobe outside the stage door. In order for her to get her shot the band had to walk across the paper to get to their cars. She got about 4-5 frames in that moment when they stopped, looked and laughed. By the time she left the magazine she had shot 142