Amy Schumer, Serena Williams Pose Semi-Nude For 2016 Pirelli Calendar

The 2016 Pirelli calendar features nearly nude pictures of comedian Amy Schumer and tennis star Serena Williams in addition to 11 more portraits of esteemed women.

2016 Pirelli Calendar

For next year’s calendar, Pirelli tapped famed photographer Annie Leibovitz to deliver a series of portraits of women who are distinguished in their respective fields. Among those chosen for the calendar were Schumer, Williams, Chinese actress Yao Chen, musician Patti Smith and director Ava DuVernay.

“The 2000 Calendar was an exercise in photographing nudes. It was a simple concept. For 2016, we did something completely different, but it is still simple,” Leibovitz  said. “It is a classic set of black-and-white portraits made in the studio.”

“When Pirelli approached me, they said they wanted to make a departure from the past. They suggested the idea of photographing distinguished women,” the photographer added. “After we agreed on that, the goal was to be very straightforward. I wanted the pictures to show the women exactly as they are, with no pretense.”

One of Leibovitz’s favorite subjects was Schumer, who said, “I’ve never felt more beautiful or more like myself,” speaking of the shoot that took place at Leibovitz’s New York City studio.

“I’m a great admirer of comediennes. The Amy Schumer portrait added some fun. It’s as if she didn’t get the memo saying that she could keep her clothes on,” Leibovitz said. “I told her my idea and asked if she’d be comfortable with it, and she said, ‘Of course, I love my body.’ Then the moment she picked up her coffee cup — that was all real. No one was supposed to look like they’d tried.”