Annie Leibovitz is an icon for portrait photographers like myself and many others in the world. Also known as Anna-Lou, this American portrait photographer was born in October of 1949. Her inspiration for learning painting and photography has been her own mother, dance director. Although she attended to study painting, a photography workshop prompted her to change her major. In the 1970s Anna-Lou started her journey working as a staff photographer for Rolling Stone Magazine. Were she was named chief photographer of Rolling Stone in 1973, becoming the first woman to hold that position.
Annie Leibovitz taken around 2008
In December 1980, Annie had a shoot with John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono. Lennon was later shot and killed 5 hours later, making Annie the last person to have taken his portrait. She also has the distinction of being declared one of the Living Legends of American culture by Library Congress.
©Annie Leibovitz, 1980