Annie Leibovitz
Born on October 2, 1949 in Connecticut, United States of America.
“A thing that you see in my pictures is that I was not afraid to fall in love with these people.”
Annie Leibovitz was born in Connecticut as one of six siblings. Her mother was a modern dance instructor and she instilled a love for music, dancing and painting in her daughter. Her father was in the military and she was accustomed to moving from town to town at an early age. She studied painting at the Art Institute in San Francisco with the intention to become an art instructor. Meanwhile, her love for photography blossomed. She began taking night classes to develop her photography skills.
Her first big break came at the age of twenty-three when she became the chief photographer for Rolling Stone magazine. She ended up working at the publication for over ten years. During that time she was able to capture some of the biggest rock stars, including touring with the band the Rolling Stones. Her addiction to drugs and alcohol hit an all-time high and she would face her demons.
She went on to photograph for Vanity Fair, expanding her subjects to politicians, leaders, and actors/actresses alike.
One of her iconic works is her photograph of John Lennon with Yoko Ono, taken just hours before he was shot and killed. Demi Moore (completely nude with a diamond ring), Miley Cyrus (nude at the age of fifteen), and Caitlyn Jenner in a corset (after her public announcement of transitioning) are just a few examples of the stereotypes her photos push against and attempt to redefine.
In 1991 Leibovitz was the first woman to be recognized as the National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C. with 200 of her works exhibited.
Annie is still actively working as a photographer. She is a mother to three children all birthed by a surrogate mother. She has never married but is believed to have been with the famous intellect of photography and media Susan Sontag. Her legacy as a successful female photographer and career at such a young age makes her legacy as a gurl artist one for the books.
Written by Erin Remington
Source: The Art Story, The Guardian, & Art Net