Annie Leibovitz

Annie Leibovitz was born on October 2, 1949 in Westbury, Connecticut to her mother Marilyn and father Sam.  In 1967 Annie enrolled at the San Francisco Art Institute. At the institute she studied painting but was introduced to photography.  This is when she realized she had a love for photography.  Then in 1970 she applied for her first job with Rolling Stone Magazine.  They were extremely impressed with her portfolio and offered her a job as a staff photographer.  Just two years with Rolling she was promoted to chief photographer.  Here she picked up her trademark technique, the use of bold primary colors and surprising poses.  She left Rolling Stone about ten years later to work for the entertainment magazine Vanity Fair.  She had the opportunity to shoot a larger variety of subjects.  Some of these subjects included presidents, literary icons, and teen heartthrobs.  Her photographer causes a lot of controversy but I feel like she strives for controversy. She allows sitters to become involved in her work and I think that is very interesting she is very open to ideas and suggestions to help herself get the most successful shot.  Some of the photos shot that caused controversy were Demi Moore when she was very pregnant.  This was a cover on Vanity Fair and many people thought it was ridiculous and strange to see.  Many stores took the magazine out and wouldn’t sell it.  But Demi herself loved the photo and said she felt sexy and powerful.  Another one was of Whoopi Goldberg submerged in a bath tub of milk.  Along with working for Vanity Fair she also worked on some high- profile advertising campaigns.  She did the American Express “Membership” campaign which was portraits of celebrity cardholders.  She also earned a Clio Award.  Annie has many accomplishments and has really made a name for herself. Many people want to be photographed by her because she is Annie Leibovitz. 

Charles and Ray Eames

Charles Eames was born on June 17, 1907 and died on August 21, 1978 in Saint Louis, Missouri.  Here he studied architecture at Washington University and later opened an architectural practice.  He was an American designer, architect and filmmaker.  Him and his wife Ray are responsible for many iconic designs of the 20^th century.  His wife Ray was born on December 15, 1912 in Sacramento and died on August 21, 1988 in Los Angeles.  Ray’s artistic talent was recognized very early on in her life.  She is a US American designer.  Charles was actually one of Ray’s teachers and mentors at the Art Academy in Cranbrook, Michigan.  Charles divorced his first wife and married Ray in 1941 in Chicago.  The couple then moved to Southern California where together they opened a design office.  This creative partnership resulted in innovative designs for furniture, houses, monuments, and exhibitions.  Together they designed countless exhibitions and directed over 80 experimental films.  The furniture they designed was very unique and interesting to look at.  I remember talking about Charles in on of my classes and looking at different chairs he designed. I feel like this couple really inspired eachother with their talents and I think that is what made them so successful.  Their work was both displayed in museums and very popular.  As said before they both passed away.  The crazy thing is they both passed away on the same day but different years.  I find that very strange but very interesting at the same time.  It must of been true love and talent.

Vogue Magazine

Vogue magazine was started in 1892 by Arthur Baldwin Turnure.  Turnure passed away in 1909 and when this happened the magazine was acquired by Conde Nast.  Vogue is the worlds most famous fashion magazine and is published in eighteen different countries and in one region.  In 1960 Vogue was known for keeping women up on the contemporary fashions of the day, and launching the careers of super models.  By 1988 Vogue’s audience was changed.  Vogue’s cover was also changed.  Vogue was known for its front cover being a zoomed in shot of a models face but that changed when the editor in chief Anna Wintour decided to put a model on the cover wearing jeans in a full body shot. The reasoning behind this change was because she wanted people to focus more on the models body and fashion instead of just his or her face.  Apparently that cover changed peoples views on the magazine forever.   Vogue magazine is so popular and so fun to look at.  I know when I’m in the grocery store I always pick a copy up of it and just start looking through it while I’m waiting in line.  Most of the time I get so interested in what I’m looking at that I then end up just buying it.  I know a lot of my friends use this magazine a lot for outfit ideas and that is the whole purpose behind this magazine.  I get fashion photography ideas from this magazine as well its very inspiring and it really helped me when I did my fashion shoot.