Born in 1949, Annie Leibovitz rose to fame as one of the most influential photographers in American history, capturing the cultural revolution at its peak. Photos she took during college while living on a kibbutz in Israel and working to uncover the remains of King Solomon’s Temple helped land her a job at Rolling Stone magazine, where she was quickly named chief photographer. Between photographing John Lennon and documenting the Rolling Stones’ 1975 concert tour, Liebovitz reinforced her reputation as the most prominent celebrity photographer of her generation. In 1983, she moved to Vanity Fair, where she strayed away from from rock stars and focused on other public figures such as the Dalai Lama. Leibovitz became the second living photographer to be featured in an exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery in 1991.
Below find a timeline of Leibovitz’s illustrious career in photography.
Early life
Anna-lou Leibovitz born in Waterbury, Connecticut on October 2 to Marilyn and Samuel Leibovitz.
The family moves to Scott Air Force Base in Illinois after Samuel Leibovitz re-enlists in the military.
For the next decade, the Leibovitz family moves constantly, living in Connecticut, Ohio, Colorado, Mississippi, Alaska, Texas, and Maryland.
Attends Northwood High School in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Education
After graduation, attends the San Francisco Art Institute.
Parents buy Leibovitz her first camera. Visits Japan. Returns to San Francisco Art Institute and takes a night class in photography. Changes her major from painting to photography.
Time in Israel
Lives on a kibbutz in Israel, where she works on a series of photographs on the subject of "the family" for a San Francisco Art Institute class.
First assignment for Rolling Stone
Begins working for Rolling Stone magazine in San Francisco. Her first assignment is Grace Slick. During first out-of-town assignment to New York City takes photo of John Lennon. The photo appears on the cover.
Receives a bachelor of fine arts degree from the San Francisco Art Institute.
Relationship with the Rolling Stones
Rolling Stone sends her on tour with The Rolling Stones to take photographs for an article by Truman Capote.
Becomes Rolling Stone's chief photographer.
Commissioned by The Rolling Stones to document their American tour.
Hours before John Lennon is shot to death in New York City, Leibovitz takes photo of Lennon naked next to clothed Yoko Ono, which runs on the cover of Rolling Stone.
Career with Vanity Fair
The art director Bea Feitler asks Leibovitz to contribute to the prototype of the revived Vanity Fair magazine.
Begins working permanently for Vanity Fair. First book, "Annie Leibovitz: Photographs" (Pantheon/Rolling Stone Press) is published.
Named "Photographer of the Year" by the American Society of Magazine Photographers.
World Cup Games
Commissioned as the official portrait photographer for the World Cup Games in Mexico.
Commercial portraiture
Creates the popular "portraits" campaign for American Express, for which she wins the Clio Award and the Campaign of the Decade Award from Advertising Age magazine. 1990
"Photographs: Annie Leibovitz, 1970-1990" (HarperCollins) is published. Exhibition opens at the National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C., then tours internationally.
Olympic Portraits (Bulfinch Press) is published.
Time with Vogue
Begins working for Vogue.
Her book "Women" (Random House), with an essay by Susan Sontag, is published. Exhibition opens at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., then tours internationally.
Named a Living Legend by the Library of Congress. Receives Barnard College Medal of Distinction.
Expanding her family
Daughter Sarah Cameron Leibovitz is born.
"Annie Leibovitz: American Music" (Random House) is published. Exhibition opens at Experience Music Project in Seattle before touring internationally.
The twins Susan and Samuelle Leibovitz are born. American Society of Magazine Editors chooses covers taken by Leibovitz as No. 1 and No. 2 in list of top 40 magazine covers of the past 40 years.
Named Commandeur of French government's Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. "A Photographer's Life, 1990-2005" (Random House) is published. Exhibition opens at Brooklyn Museum.
