DAY 167

FASHION & BEAUTY

Influential Fashion Photographers—Present

ANNIE LEIBOVITZ (1949–) AND STEVEN MEISEL (1954–)

In the male-dominated field of photography, Annie Leibovitz, born in Waterbury, Connecticut, has deservedly risen to superstar status as a fashion and celebrity portrait photographer. In 1970, she received her first assignment from Rolling Stone magazine to shoot John Lennon; within two years, she was named chief photographer. She would spend a decade creating some of the most fascinating and poignant portraits of the world’s greatest musical artists.

In the ’80s, she was named Vanity Fair’s first contributing photographer. Here she showcases her painterly masterpieces of immaculate lighting and staged portraits of celebrities. Keeping true to her love affair with film, she shoots with medium-format film.

Since the ’80s, Steven Meisel has enjoyed a rare relationship with Italian Vogue—he has created every cover for every issue. He has also composed images for the advertising campaigns of fashion’s biggest designers, such as Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, and Valentino. In 1991, Meisel worked with Madonna to create her infamous book, Sex, and several of her iconic album covers.

Born in New York, Meisel majored in fashion illustration and began his career working for fashion designers. His work draws from cinema as he casts his models as actors. He scripts storylines that reflect current culture, creating images that stay with you long after seeing them in print. He supports the true essence of the person he shoots, giving them the opportunity to see themselves as he does. —MR