From the humble beginnings of Barbra Streisand’s career in 1963 to full-fledged stardom in 1966, renowned Life magazine photographer Bill Eppridge had full access to the young singer. He photographed Streisand shopping in a thrift shop; trying on outfits in her apartment; and there’s an appearance on the The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson—then live from New York. Eppridge documented Streisand meeting with producer David Merrick, who wanted her for the starring role in Broadway’s Funny Girl, which catapulted her to celebrity status.