"Like any great model, she doesn't mind being used."

-Annie Leibovitz

Ok, wait, who is Annie Leibovitz?

Born in the USA in 1949 Annie Leibovitz is a prolific and very talented photographer. Her first magazine cover was for Rolling Stones in 1970, the same year she photographed John Lenon for the first time.

Covering the 1972 election she then became chief photographer for rolling stones in 1973 which led to being the tour photographer for them in 1975. In 1980 she took this photo of John and Yoko the same day he was murdered.

John Lennon and Yoko Ono, New York City, December 8th 1980 - Annie Leibovitz

In 1983, she moves from Rolling Stones to vanity Fair. In 1984 I was born...and Annie receives 'photographer of the year' from the American Society of magazine photographers. 1985 she was the official photographer for the World Cup Games in Mexico City. 1986 she had her second solo show at the Sidney Janis Gallery. Skipping a decade, in 1996 she was the official photographer for the summer Olympic games in Atlanta. Skipping another decade, in 2007 she was commissioned for a series of images of the Queen. 2008 Annie was named San Francisco Art Institute McBean Distinguished Lecturer. 2009 received the International Center of Photographies Lifetime Achievement award. 2018 she received the Lifetime Achievement award for excellence in the Arts from the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

...This was a SERIOUSLY abridged biography... just listing it was 5 pages long in the book!

Sooooo where is the quote from exactly?

The book 'Annie Leibovitz at work', a signed copy no less. It chronicles the working life of Annie, from her humble start touring the US in the back of dads car going from military base to military base to shooting a portraits series of the queen.

In the section of the book where this quote pops up she is talking about her time photographing celebrities. Being fairly late on in the book it kinda comes out of nowhere but it does address the way photographers interact with models (especially celebrities). Specifically, she discussed how stage and screen actress Cate Blanchett's self-confidence "transcended any qualms about the photographic enterprise..." while others feel that "it doesn't seem to them to have anything to do with their work."

Why did this statement about using people shock me?

I don't consider myself a user.

Maybe this is wrong. Maybe I am? This statement forced me to consider that my work might just be that...using people. Does payment justify that? It also highlights my responsibilities as a photographer to the models and other people I work with. I understand that Annie was not using people in the meaning that is conjured up when you say that about someone but it still is a provocative word to be using.

Do you think this is true?

Yes, maybe, No. Ultimately a model uses their body to sell something. It could be clothes or it could be an idea but it is still a type of use. A photographer uses the model to get the image that they want in order to achieve a goal. This statement (the ‘use’ phrase especially) tends to bring up ideas that models are somehow victims which is not the case, not in a professional environment anyway. The models I have met are some of the most empowered and inspirational people I know.

The worst thing about this quote?

It seems to be the main thing that sticks in my head when I think about this book and that is a real shame. It's a great book with some truly beautiful images and important stories about her work.

Let me know what you think about this. Given how short the entry this is I am sure I have been a bit naive and ham-fisted about this.