Reprinted From : http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20219191&BRD=1703&PAG=461&dept_id=71557&rfi=6
Famed photographer to visit Hudson Valley
For those who have always wondered how photographer Annie Leibovitz achieves her signature look in her images, the opportunity to delve deeper into her work has come with her latest book "Annie Leibovitz at Work," which she will be signing at two locations in the Hudson Valley on Dec. 20.
Area residents have the opportunity to see Leibovitz either at Merritt Books in Millbrook or at Oblong Books in Rhinebeck.
She will first appear at Oblong at 10 a.m. to discuss her book and sign copies until noon.
Leibovitz is then scheduled to appear in Millbrook at 12:45 p.m. for the Merritt Books event.
Released in mid-November of this year, the 240 page hard cover volume is more text-heavy than some of Leibovitz's earlier releases, such as the recent "A Photographer's Life," which gave reader's an intimate look into a decade of Leibovitz's life, including the recent heartbreak she suffered in losing her longtime partner, writer Susan Sontag.
Leibovitz was born on Oct. 2, 1949, in Waterbury, Conn. Her father was a career officer in the Air Force and her childhood was spent on a succession of military bases.
While studying painting at the San Francisco Art Institute, she took night classes in photography, and in 1970 she began working for Rolling Stone magazine.
She became Rolling Stone's chief photographer in 1973.
By the time she left the magazine, ten years later, she had shot one hundred and forty-two covers and published photo essays on scores of stories, including her accounts of the resignation of Richard Nixon and of the 1975 Rolling Stones tour.
She joined the staff of Vanity Fair in 1983 and in 1993 also began working for Vogue.
Exhibitions of her work have appeared in museums and galleries all over the world, including the National Portrait Gallery and the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, D.C.; the International Center of Photography in New York; the Brooklyn Museum; the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam; the Maison Européenne de la Photographie in Paris; and the National Portrait Gallery in London.
"Annie has done several signings with us over the years," said Scott Meyer, owner of Merritt Books, which has locations in both Millbrook and Red Hook. "It's always been a positive experience and she has always been very nice to all of the people who come out to meet her."
According to Meyer, one reason Leibovitz chooses to do signings at smaller, independent book stores is her desire to contribute to the local economy.
"People come from all over; they travel for hours to see her," he said. "We give everyone numbers so that they don't have wait in line the entire time. That way if they know they have about an hour before their turn they can spend time shopping around town or go to the café and get a cup of coffee."
The experience of having an author of Leibovitz's caliber do a signing is often a symbiotic one, involving both the author and the book store and the surrounding town as well.
"We are able to get authors like Leibovitz come in because she knows it will always be a good experience and that we really care about having her," said Meyer. "I've also been told by business owners that when we have her do a signing, it's the best day that they have had all year. When authors like her come into town, it boosts the economy of the town and the entire Hudson Valley."
The benefit of having a business like an independent bookstore within a community is more prolonged than a boost of sales during an event, said Meyer.
"Approximately $68 out of every $100 goes back into the community," he said. "Compare that to a Barnes and Noble, which is about $12 out of every $100, or an online store, which amounts to about zero."
While the events are scheduled simply as signings, oftentimes Leibovitz is inclined to do impromptu talks on her work as well as making herself available to answer audience questions on her books and individual images.
"People really like this book; it explores how she does her work," said Meyer. "Here is a book that will share with you; it doesn't talk down to you. It's very much like Annie, and what I like most about her is that she is nice to everybody. It is the most amazing thing and that is the kind of person that she is."
According to Meyer, the signings are an excellent opportunity for fans of Leibovitz's work to meet each other, as well as a good place to be for those experiencing her work for the first time.
To reserve a copy of "Annie Leibovitz at Work" call either Merritt Books in Millbrook at 845-677-5857 or Oblong Books and Music at 845- 876-0500. At Oblong all reserved copies must be prepaid.
Books will also be available for purchase at both locations on the day of the signing.
Leibovitz is then scheduled to appear in Millbrook at 12:45 p.m. for the Merritt Books event.
Released in mid-November of this year, the 240 page hard cover volume is more text-heavy than some of Leibovitz's earlier releases, such as the recent "A Photographer's Life," which gave reader's an intimate look into a decade of Leibovitz's life, including the recent heartbreak she suffered in losing her longtime partner, writer Susan Sontag.
Leibovitz was born on Oct. 2, 1949, in Waterbury, Conn. Her father was a career officer in the Air Force and her childhood was spent on a succession of military bases.
While studying painting at the San Francisco Art Institute, she took night classes in photography, and in 1970 she began working for Rolling Stone magazine.
She became Rolling Stone's chief photographer in 1973.
By the time she left the magazine, ten years later, she had shot one hundred and forty-two covers and published photo essays on scores of stories, including her accounts of the resignation of Richard Nixon and of the 1975 Rolling Stones tour.
She joined the staff of Vanity Fair in 1983 and in 1993 also began working for Vogue.
Exhibitions of her work have appeared in museums and galleries all over the world, including the National Portrait Gallery and the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, D.C.; the International Center of Photography in New York; the Brooklyn Museum; the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam; the Maison Européenne de la Photographie in Paris; and the National Portrait Gallery in London.
"Annie has done several signings with us over the years," said Scott Meyer, owner of Merritt Books, which has locations in both Millbrook and Red Hook. "It's always been a positive experience and she has always been very nice to all of the people who come out to meet her."
According to Meyer, one reason Leibovitz chooses to do signings at smaller, independent book stores is her desire to contribute to the local economy.
"People come from all over; they travel for hours to see her," he said. "We give everyone numbers so that they don't have wait in line the entire time. That way if they know they have about an hour before their turn they can spend time shopping around town or go to the café and get a cup of coffee."
The experience of having an author of Leibovitz's caliber do a signing is often a symbiotic one, involving both the author and the book store and the surrounding town as well.
"We are able to get authors like Leibovitz come in because she knows it will always be a good experience and that we really care about having her," said Meyer. "I've also been told by business owners that when we have her do a signing, it's the best day that they have had all year. When authors like her come into town, it boosts the economy of the town and the entire Hudson Valley."
The benefit of having a business like an independent bookstore within a community is more prolonged than a boost of sales during an event, said Meyer.
"Approximately $68 out of every $100 goes back into the community," he said. "Compare that to a Barnes and Noble, which is about $12 out of every $100, or an online store, which amounts to about zero."
While the events are scheduled simply as signings, oftentimes Leibovitz is inclined to do impromptu talks on her work as well as making herself available to answer audience questions on her books and individual images.
"People really like this book; it explores how she does her work," said Meyer. "Here is a book that will share with you; it doesn't talk down to you. It's very much like Annie, and what I like most about her is that she is nice to everybody. It is the most amazing thing and that is the kind of person that she is."
According to Meyer, the signings are an excellent opportunity for fans of Leibovitz's work to meet each other, as well as a good place to be for those experiencing her work for the first time.
To reserve a copy of "Annie Leibovitz at Work" call either Merritt Books in Millbrook at 845-677-5857 or Oblong Books and Music at 845- 876-0500. At Oblong all reserved copies must be prepaid.
Books will also be available for purchase at both locations on the day of the signing.
