Play of the Day: Leibovitz' Subject

Famed photographer Annie Leibovitz pointed her camera at Barack Obama on Thursday as the Democrat prepared to board a flight.

Suit jacket in hand, Obama smiled broadly for the photographer, who has captured the images of celebrities from John Lennon to Queen Elizabeth II and is best known for her portrait work and dramatic magazine covers. She is photographing Obama as part of an upcoming feature for Men's Vogue.

Obama has an elegant yet relaxed confidence about him that comes across in photographs, Leibovitz said after photographing the Illinois senator at a campaign stop at a sports bar. She said the trick is getting across his energy and excitement in a still image.

"It's kind of like seeing a live musician versus hearing the album," Leibovitz said. "That's the challenge. You can try to capture it in the faces. The reactions to him are so emotional."

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By Matt Apuzzo