Composed in Montreal, Quebec, Canada–
I’ve been reading about celebrity photographer Annie Liebovitz. She’s taken scads of famous photos, including the shot of a naked John Lennon sprawled over Yoko Ono.
She’s become a celebrity herself lately as journalists buzz about her having a baby late in life and her money problems.
Before there was Annie Leibovitz or Herb Ritts, there was Mathew Brady.
Brady is credited with being the father of photo journalism and was perhaps the country’s first celebrity photographer.
Before the Civil War began, Brady ran a very successful photo studio that catered to Presidents and other celebrities. When the war broke out, he became the official lensman of the campaign.
Brady was an interesting character on many levels.
The photographer catered to the masses by providing dramatic and often graphic imagery of the campaign.
He’s credited with taking seven thousand of photos, although we now know that many of the shots were taken by members of his staff. Indeed, Brady himself is seen in images that credit him as the photographer.
After the war, things did not go well for Mathew Brady. Tragically, Brady’s eyes failed early in life. The photographer’s general health continued to decline and alcohol came into his life. Even with all his fame and notoriety, his business eventually went bankrupt.
Then, Brady suddenly experienced something that many celebrities go through. He became a passing fad.
Brady had become known for providing over-size, over-priced prints. Suddenly, even before the technical age, the photographer became of victim of advancing technology.
Mathew Brady died penniless in the charity ward of Presbyterian Hospital in New York City, in 1896, from complications following a streetcar accident.
What famous people have you photographed?
Tags: annie leibovitz, celebrity photographer, civil war, herb ritts, john lennon, mathew brady, photo journalist
