World-renowned photographer, Annie Leibovitz made a little stop at Neiman Marcus for an afternoon filled with anecdotes and advice…a moment I’ve waited years for……a bucket list moment for me!
Though she was met with a room full of applause, Annie Leibovitz could not have been more down to earth and just all around warm. For a woman with a resume like Leibovitz (think portraits of everyone from Springsteen to the Queen!), you would expect a certain air to enter into the room with her. Instead she greeted the crowd with nothing but elegance and gratitude.
Quickly into her talk, it was clear Annie Leibovitz is a woman with a sense of humor as wicked as her talent! She attributed her calm demeanor to being “older and tired”. It was also mentioned she distrusted smiles in photographs due to her treacherous memories of having to sit for photos as a child.
Life of Leibovitz
Following her comical childhood anecdote, Leibovitz was led to discuss her fond memories of photographing her family. Thought to be her own best work, the legendary photographer believes its due to the emotional connection. What she labels as, “the work I don’t get to do in the work I do”, photographing her family was far more intimate.
The short sessions she has had with countless notable names are admirable, but to Leibovitz it’s just the job! Of all the iconic shots she has produced, there is one that stands out to her. The prized possession is a photo she took of her mother for her women’s project in 1999 and showcased in her book Annie Leibovitz: At Work (available for purchase by clicking HERE)
Photo courtesy of Phaidon
Questions Answered
After the little deeper insight into the life of Annie Leibovitz, she opened the floor to questions. The Q&A session started off with the hard-hitting question of “who has been the most difficult to work with”. Quick-witted Leibovitz quipped “let me remind you I am still working”! While stating that it would either have to be Michael Jackson or Sammy Davis Jr, she ended her answer on a positive note.
She gave the title of “Most Fun to Work With” to none other than Queen Elizabeth II! “All she wanted to make sure of was that I got her daughter, her great-grandchildren and her dogs! Sorry Charles and Philip!” Leibovitz stated that she likes a fast shoot, which I’m sure was greatly appreciated by the lovely littlest royals!
“Most people don’t like to be photographed, I have empathy for my subject.”
What the Future Holds
While her roster of subjects is pretty much all but unrivaled, Annie Liebovitz is far from done. Her next personal project, you ask? The woman behind the camera plans to get back in the studio. But not necessarily her own studio. She is bringing her focus back to the many different artists in the world, and the work they do in their personal spaces. Having done the likes of Paul McCartney and Kara Walker, there is still a long list of artists she admires and aspires to photograph at work!
So all we can do now is sit back and wait for even more from Leibovitz to love! Below, some of the many guests sharing the moment with Annie!
Lucinda Loya, Libby Cagle, Lauren Taft
Until then, you can purchase her past books, by clicking the images below or by shopping in-store at Neiman Marcus!
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Really interesting content for this edition! Thanks, Roz!!
Marcy
Hey Roz,
So glad you covered this event. Very special. She is brilliant. Also so glad to know that she is personable. But like any photographer like Al and Carmen Torres, they have to establish trust and a relationship in a short period of time. Hard to do if you don’t have that inherent talent.
LOVE it. So fun. I didn’t even know about this. But looked like an incredible day!!! Xoxoxo