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Richard Nixon
This photo was taken on the day President Richard Nixon resigned from office in 1974, “I was out there with the White House press squad, and after his helicopter took off, and the carpet rolled up, [everyone was done.] This wasn't a photograph that others were taking, but I continued to take pictures," For American history this photo is important because it depicted one of the reparations of the watergate scandal, which shook the 1970’s. -
Joan Armatrading
Leibovitz photographed Joan Armatrading for the album cover of her record "To the Limit" in 1976. Armstrading was a British singer and songwriter, and this was her 5th album. Leibovitz was the first female photographer to photograph the singer. The shooting process took four day. Leibovitz also photographed Armstrading’s Album cover for "Steppin’ Out" in 1979. -
John Lennon and Yoko Ono
Leibovitz was assigned to shoot John Lennon while she was the chief photographer for Rolling Stones magazine. In the photo we see Lennon completely naked curled up next to his wife, Yoko Ono. This photo is influential because hours after the photo was shot Lennon was assassinated in New York City. The photo has been voted by American Society of Magazine Editors as the best magazine cover in 40 years. -
Nelson Mandela
Leibovitz took this iconic photo of Nelson Mandela a few months after he was released from prison in February 1990. The public had not seen a photograph of Mandela since he was imprisoned until a few days before his release. -
Demi Moore
This portrait of a naked, pregnant Moore created an uproar among readers. Some stores refused to sell the magazine or covered it the cover. During the regular photoshoot, Leivobitz took a few shots to supplement maternity photos she had taken of Moore, and this photograph came from those shots. She was shocked that Moore allowed Vanity Fair to run the portrait on the cover. Moore later expressed that the photo is an example of her best work, saying it specifically works for the magazine cover. -
Hillary Clinton
This picture was taken in December 1993 of Clinton while she was First Lady. The image shows a softer side of the presidential candidate than we currently see in the media. This photograph also aligns with the beginning of the dominance of the Clinton family, especially Hillary Clinton, who went on to become Secretary of State and is currently running for president. Recently this photo was released again by Vogue with an accompanying article in support of Clinton for the next president. -
Queen Elizabeth II
In 2007, several weeks before the queen was set to visit the United States, Leibovitz was asked by the Palace to take the queen’s official portrait. A few months after the shoot, controversy arose from statements that BBC made about the shoot, later leading to the resignation of the head of BBC One. -
Official First Family Photo of the Obamas
Leibovitz captured this family photo of the Obama’s on September 1, 2009 in the White House. This image first appeared on the White House’s flickr page. This photo made headlines nationwide. It was the first first family portrait to be posed. Leibovitz has taken several other pictures of President Obama. A few include pictures of The Cabinet, The first Lady’s team, inauguration parade, and Michelle Obama. -
Lincoln's Gloves
Leibovitz took this photo for a series of images called, “Pilgrimage.” This photo is an image of the gloves Abraham Lincoln wore the night he was assassinated. For the project she also took photos of his hat and various parts of Emily Dickinson's home. -
Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama has been a very impactful First Lady, from her inspiring speeches to her health initiatives. She is also known for being a style icon, and is often praised for her elegant yet fashion-forward clothing and the grace she constantly exudes despite her many critics. This photograph show cases the strength and dignity that have become synonymous with her name. -
Aung San Suu Kyi
Photographs of Aung San Suu Kyi were not allowed until fairly recently, as she was under house arrest in her native Myanmar. Released in 2010, Aung San Suu Kyi was imprisoned for her activism in promoting democracy in her country. This portrait was included in Leibovitz’s exhibition “Women, New Portraits.” -
Malala Yousafzai
Taken in Birmingham, England, this portrait of Malala Yousafzai was included in Annie Leibovitz’s exhibition “Women: New Portraits,” a continuation on her project featuring notable women. Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist who advocated for the education of girls and survived an attack by the Taliban. She is also the youngest ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
