Annie Leibovitz on Insecurity, Touring with The Rolling Stones, and John & Yoko

Personal Style and Comfort

• 💡 Annie Leibovitz discusses her daily uniform of comfortable, easily maintained clothing, primarily black pants and shirts, chosen for practicality and ease, especially when traveling.
• 👕 She admits to a current weariness with black and a past attempt to incorporate color, but ultimately returned to her practical wardrobe, which she likens to a "glorified version of pajamas."
• 😴 Leibovitz reveals a love for pajamas, even wearing them for work and editing when upstate, highlighting a desire for comfort and a lack of self-consciousness.

Photography, Art, and Influence

• 📸 Leibovitz reflects on her early work and the evolution of her style, noting a shift from personal reportage to a more observational, environmental approach.
• 🖼️ She discusses the challenges and intensity of photographing dance and fashion, comparing the ephemeral nature of dance to the impact of fashion shows when filmed.
• 🎨 The conversation touches on her admiration for designers and the artistic merit of fashion, particularly after her work with Vogue and Anna Wintour.

Career Milestones and Challenges

• 📰 Starting at Rolling Stone magazine, Leibovitz describes the publication's initial lack of visual understanding and how she grew with the magazine, alongside its writers.
• 🎸 Touring with The Rolling Stones in 1975 is described as an intense, almost all-consuming experience that nearly led to drug addiction, a stark contrast to her initial naive expectations.
• 💊 She candidly discusses her struggle with drug addiction, emphasizing that while drugs initially felt like they opened her up, they ultimately robbed her of everything, leading to a decision to prioritize her photography career.

Iconic Portraits and Personal Reflections

• 💔 The John Lennon and Yoko Ono cover photo is recounted, highlighting Lennon's insistence on Yoko being included and the poignant timing of the shoot just hours before Lennon's death.
• 🎭 Leibovitz shares anecdotes about photographing Diane Keaton, noting Keaton's artistic input and her tendency to hide herself in photographs, drawing parallels to Cindy Sherman.
• 🤝 Her deep relationship with Susan Sontag is explored, describing Sontag as a critical but loving influence who pushed Leibovitz to be a more serious and dedicated photographer.

The Nature of Photography and Life

• 📚 Leibovitz expresses her passion for books as the primary medium for her work, citing "Photographer's Life" and her "Women" series as particularly meaningful.
• 🎨 She discusses the blurred lines between personal and assignment work, noting that photography is a constant state of observation that cannot be turned on or off.
• 💔 The act of photographing loved ones, including Susan Sontag on her deathbed, is described as a difficult but ultimately meaningful part of life, offering a sense of purpose during challenging times.