Famed photographer Annie Leibovitz responds to the controversial Vanity Fair photograph of Miley Cyrus, in which the teenager appears to be topless, saying she finds the image "simple" and "beautiful," PEOPLE reports

"I'm sorry that my portrait of Miley has been misinterpreted," says Leibovitz in a statement issued Monday. "Miley and I looked at fashion photographs together and we discussed the picture in that context before we shot it. The photograph is a simple, classic portrait, shot with very little makeup, and I think it is very beautiful."

Miley Cyrus issued a statement to PEOPLE on Sunday, apologizing for a series of playfully provocative photos in which she appears to be nude.

My goal in my music and my acting is always to make people happy. For Vanity Fair, I was so honored and thrilled to work with Annie [Leibovitz]. I took part in a photo shoot that was supposed to be 'artistic' and now, seeing the photographs and reading the story, I feel so embarrassed."