Annie Leibovitz (Getty Images)more pics » Leibovitz with daughter Sarah.
When the most successful living celebrity photographer can't make ends meet, the world becomes a very scary place for artists.

According to the Telegraph, Annie Leibovitz has pawned the rights to her life's work to pay off around $16 million in debts. She has put up the copyrights, negatives, and contract rights to every photo she's ever taken and all photos will she will take in the future as collateral for a $15.5 million loan from Art Capital Group.

Ms. Leibovitz hasn't commented publicly on the matter, except to assure that her health is fine. Friends have said she plans to use the loan to pay off mortgages and other debts. If she fails to pay back the loan, she stands to lose her entire life's work.

Crazy.

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