Adorama Narrated — Episode Summary
Annie Leibovitz WPPI 2026 Keynote
Aired: March 17, 2026
Blog Post by Daniel Norton | Read by Nikki Haller

Overview

This episode features a narrated reading of Daniel Norton’s account of Annie Leibovitz’s keynote address at the WPPI 2026 convention. Deviating from the usual run-of-the-mill event keynotes, Leibovitz’s appearance centered on her work as a photographer, her book “Women,” and her lasting legacy in portraiture. The post explores the power of stories behind images, Leibovitz’s artistic philosophy, and reflections on the purpose and meaning of photography amidst today’s trends.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. A Different Kind of Keynote

• Unlike typical keynotes focused on product pitches or business advice, this event spotlighted “a legendary photographer... none other than Annie Leibovitz” (01:02).
• The author, though a seasoned pro, found this keynote uniquely meaningful—Leibovitz wasn’t selling magic formulas:

  “I know there is no magic button to success.” (00:24)

2. The Book “Women” as Cornerstone

• Leibovitz’s keynote revolved around her book “Women,” comprising two volumes—the reprinted 1999 edition and a new catalog.
• She transparently tied her presentation to the book, stating:

  “I’m going to show you all the images in the book so you don’t have to buy it. My publisher doesn’t like it when I say that. Give them a name,” Leibovitz said. (01:36)

3. Storytelling Through Naming

• A memorable segment of Leibovitz’s talk simply involved her naming the subjects in her photographs, often with just a role or description rather than a personal name.

  “She was a waitress... She was living in a woman's bathroom... They are military recruits... just simply giving each a name.” (02:18)

• The power of this simplicity emphasized connection over technical details:

  “No explanation of why she used that angle... No explanation of her choice of lens.” (02:20)

4. The Truth in Portraiture

• The author describes the impact of Leibovitz’s approach—the emotion and authenticity shining through the mere act of naming, and the reminder:

  “The truth of portraiture. The truth of the images was there, on display, simply and powerfully.” (02:45)

5. Reflections on the Medium

• The talk sparked a personal reflection on the value of physical prints and the old ways of sharing photographs, compared with today’s digital grind:

  “Even before social media, we chased the next magazine spread... Hearing Annie Leibovitz speak of her passion as a bookmaker made me reflect and think of the part of photography I miss: the physicality of it, the prints on your wall, the portfolio you used to bring to clients’ offices.” (03:07)

6. Favorite Photograph & Human Connection

• Leibovitz shared that, in the past, she’d say she “doesn’t have a favorite photo,” but now, as she’s gotten older, a portrait of her mother stands out.
• Her mother’s usual desire for posed, cheerful photos contrasts with this portrait’s authenticity:

  “This photo, this portrait shows her mother in a way that we forget a camera was there. It shows a true human connection. Isn’t that what we all want our portraits to do?” (04:03)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On book presentation:

  “I’m a passionate bookmaker.” (01:41) — Annie Leibovitz

• On image storytelling:

  “A catalogue of people, catalogue of stories. That's what photos are. The best ones anyway. Stories told in a single frame.” (01:56) — Narrator (paraphrasing Leibovitz)

• On the purpose of portraits:

  “You heard it as she named them. You saw it in the photos. The truth.” (02:38)

• On authenticity in photography:

  “It shows a true human connection. Isn’t that what we all want our portraits to do?” (04:12)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00–01:10 — Critique of typical keynotes; introduction of Annie Leibovitz as keynote speaker
• 01:12–02:10 — Annie’s transparency about her book “Women”; approach to showing her work
• 02:14–02:55 — Naming the subjects; simplicity and emotional weight of the images
• 02:56–03:30 — Reflections on the meaning of images and the truth in portraiture
• 03:32–04:12 — Discussion of the physicality of photography; importance of prints and books
• 04:14–end — Leibovitz’s favorite photo and lessons in authentic human connection

Conclusion

Leibovitz’s keynote, as recounted by Daniel Norton and narrated by Nikki Haller, underscored the enduring power of straightforward, emotionally resonant storytelling in portraiture. Her approach—prioritizing genuine human connection over technical bravado—inspired both reflection and aspiration among listeners and attendees, advocating for the importance of crafting and sharing tangible, meaningful work in a digital age.