Annie Leibovitz: A Photographer’s Life

As a photography fan, I have always admired the work of the pivotal pop culture facet, Annie Leibovitz.  Leibovitz is a well renowned portrait photographer, famous for her ability to connect with her subjects. Originally from Waterbury, Connecticut, she attended the San Francisco Art Institute, where her interest in photography flourished. Not short after, she began working for "Rolling Stone" magazine, where she became the chief photographer in 1973. As one of the original photographers for Rolling Stone, Leibovitz created some of the most enduring, and iconic images of all time.  After 10 years, and 142 magazine covers, she left Rolling Stone to work as a featured portrait photographer for “Vanity Fair” in 1983. Leibovitz's radiant images are primarily composed of portraits of royalty, high- profile celebrities, and world leaders.

 

I recently had the luxury viewing her exhibition at San Francisco's De Young Museum. Annie Leibovitz: A Photographer’s Life (1990–2005) was nothing short of inspiring. Her show comprises over 200 photographs, each one more stimulating than the next. While her photos feature many public figures, Nicole Kidman, and Brad Pitt; and her famous 1991 representation of then-pregnant actress Demi Moore. Her layout in Vanity Fair was one of the most recognizable of its time. Leibovitz passionately blended this intimate moment with her own life, and it shows in her work. 

Her show also incorporated her assignment work, which included reportage from the siege of Sarajevo in the early 1990s, the election of Hillary Clinton to the U.S. Senate, and the aftermath of the September 11th attacks. At the heart of the exhibition, she included her personal photography documents, and scenes from her life including the birth and childhood of her three daughters, vacations, reunions, and her parents and extended family. The black-and-white family images, echo with emotion and tranquility of the non-celebrity, are a refreshing counterpoint to the common fluency of her magazine photos.

Her show was a truly inspiring expose. She is in fact gifted in her consistency to capture real intimacy regardless of the subject matter. Each photo told a story that was signified with much love, and inspiration. If you are familiar with Leibovitz’s work, you will not be expecting any tastelessly rendered paparazzi blowups. Her exhibition represents her life, her talent, and her passion for the lens.  It is not to be missed. If you live in the San Francisco area, you can catch her show up until May 25, 2009 at the De Young Museum.