Annie Leibovitz Sues Observer Over Justin and Hailey Bieber Photo: ‘Exploitation’

A picture of Justin and Hailey Bieber may be worth a thousand words, but this one could cost $150,000.

Legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz is dragging Observer Media, which owns Observer.com, to court, claiming the media outlet swiped her iconic 2019 shot featured in Vogue of the newlywed Biebers twinning in matching Dolce and Gabbana polka dots without proper licensing.

According to the complaint filed Wednesday and obtained by Rolling Stone, Leibovitz and her licensing agency sent a letter to Observer Media more than two years ago, on May 24, 2024, notifying the company that the reproduction on Observer.com infringed on Leibovitz’s copyright. They demanded the photo be taken down, but they heard nothing in return. The photo was still live with the 2020 story, headlined “Hailey Baldwin and Justin Bieber Waited Until Marriage to Live Together,” as of July 16.

Attempts to reach a representative for the online publication were not immediately successful. The Observer, known until 2016 as The New York Observer, was previously a weekly newspaper printed on distinctive pink-hued paper. It was formerly owned by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Donald Trump.

Leibovitz, 76, says in the lawsuit that the alleged copyright infringement qualifies as “willful, intentional and malicious.” She’s seeking disgorgement of profits attributable to the alleged misuse and damages of up to $150,000 per “unauthorized exploitation.”

“Leibovitz is a world-renowned photographer acclaimed for capturing celebrity portraits with profound intimacy and insight, including the likes of John Lennon, Bill Clinton, Clint Eastwood, Queen Elizabeth, and many more,” the nine-page lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court says. “Plaintiffs have suffered and will continue to suffer substantial damages to their business in an amount to be established at trial.”