Fifteen year old teen star Miley Cyrus, also known as "Hannah Montana", has taken a lot of heat over a photo shoot that was done recently for Vanity Fair Magazine.  There has been some turmoil over whether the photo in question is “art” or something closer to child pornography.  I’ll leave that up to you to decide.  But people like to point fingers, so I’m going to point mine.  I believe that the photographer, the esteemed Annie Leibowitz, went too far. 

A few years ago, a similar incident occurred with a local photographer who was shooting senior portraits for a teenager.  After the senior portraits were done, the photographer asked the teen whether she’d like to do some (sexier) photos for her boyfriend.  He got in a whole lot of trouble for that.  I don't recall if he served jail time, but he certainly had some legal troubles when the parents found out.   

Photographers have a responsibility to say no.  They have a responsibility to take photos of young people that are tasteful and discerning.  They have a responsibility to maintain their innocence, not to exploit them as sexual creatures.  
 
This brings up a related topic.  Have we begun to see the innocence of our children as a commodity that can be sold if the price is right?  There is no price on a child’s innocence and Ms. Leibowitz should be ashamed of herself.  She should have known better than to photograph a child in such a provocative manner.  It doesn’t matter that Miley Cyrus is a star.  What matters is how the world perceives a photo like this.  More importantly, how will her pre-teen fans see it?  Will they strive to imitate her?  Miley Cyrus should not experience any repercussions over this, but Annie Leibowitz should.  If she wasn’t Annie Leibowitz, she would probably be on her way to court.