This office building is located off Highway 280. Bob said he like the angled shot because it is a different way of capturing the subject.

Think of all those stacks of photographs tucked away. The memories they have captured.  The time maybe not so long ago or maybe ages. When the babies were little, when grandpa was a just a little boy, when the landscape was lush or when the perspective of a certain place was altogether different. Photographs are one of those things that allow you to get back to that place; a spot etched in time that can come back in view with total clarity.

For Bob Moore Photography, the pictures of such places are part of their livelihood, but a job that neither Bob nor Nancy Moore regrets waking up to do. They have spent years documenting the people and places in Leeds and her surrounding cities and towns.  These days they wouldn’t have it any other way.

“We started photographing little league and weddings and things of that nature back in 1968,” says Bob. “It was our first time on the professional level, and we have continued from there.”

The Moores first opened Bob Moore Photography above the old Leeds Insurance offices near the old city hall in 1973.  Since that time, the Moores have photographed new additions to families, weddings, school events, commercials, portraits or whatever event came through the door.

“I started fooling with cameras when I was in high school,” Bob says. “I was just always interested in photography.” He adds he fixed a darkroom over the family garage when he was around 15 years old. “It has just grown from there,” he remarks.

His first camera was one he won at a carnival in a pinball machine. “Two rolls of film and it broke,” he laughs. “Then I had a Brownie Hawkeye when I was around 12 or 13 that I received as a Christmas gift.”

Bob says he spent years just shooting photos for himself before the idea of a business ever crossed his mind.

When he met his wife, manager and best friend, Nancy, he was working at Hayes International. They started a family and Nancy was raising two little boys, Joel and Brad. “When we first got married all I wanted to do was be a housewife and a mom,” she giggles. “I did work as a stenographer for a while until we started our family. However, when he decided to move to photography full-time, he needed some help and I was it.”

The Moores now have four grandchildren including Jarrett, 22; Kelsey, 18; Elizabeth, 13 and Catherine, 11.

When asked about their grandbabies, they will tell you they’re not babies anymore. Their photos still adorn the walls of the business in their days of yesteryear.

Their own sons were involved in the business in high school. Their son, Joel, now makes his living as a photographer. “Both boys worked as photographers on the annual staff when they were in high school,” says Nancy. “In fact, Joel made his spending money in high school printing pictures and stuff from football games,” says Bob.

The couple says some of their most exciting times over the years came in capturing events such as football games that make a mark forever. One of the most recent events captured through Bob’s lens is when the Leeds Greenwave won two state championships. “That was exciting,” Bob remarks. “Can you believe it? Twice in the same year.” He adds he gets the most enjoyment photographing action shots. Hiss efforts have been documented in both Leeds and St. Clair County yearbooks for over 40 years.

“I enjoy all my picture taking, but if I had to pick one thing I enjoy most, it would be a close score when you get in the feeling of the game,” he says. “I really like that stuff. I love working around young people. It keeps me young.”

He also enjoys photographing nature. “Scenic mountain streams, sunsets, flowers, anything I see that I think is pretty, I photograph,” he says.  Some of his favorite places to shoot include the mountains of Tennessee and right here at home. “Some of the prettiest places I have been are within 10 miles of here. There are lots of old places I love. This country is full of pretty places.”

 Nancy is always by Bob’s side. She says she loves the mountains too. While at the office, she makes appointments, sets up shoots, and helps ladies get ready and anything else that needs to get done.  Over the years, she has won a number of awards for retouching prints and hand coloring black and white photos as well. “I just help with whatever comes up,” she says. Bob will be the first to say his wife is the best at what she does. She is always nearby lending a hand.

The Moore’s are happy to call Leeds home. “We have been here all of our lives,” says Nancy. “We’ve never lived anywhere else.”

“This is definitely home,” Bob remarks. “It has been a part of our family for generations.”  They add they have met and known a lot of fine people while working in the area. “I’m just proud they have allowed me to create some treasures,” Bob says. “I feel like we have gotten to be a part of their family in some ways.”

“We have watched these kid grow up,” says Nancy. “From school and sports to weddings and their own families.”  

“It is like one big family,” Bob adds.

When asked how long they plan on working, Bob remarks, “Until I die.” He has no plans of giving it up anytime soon. “I love my house,” he says. “I like to go home, but this is where I live.”

 Technology has changed over the years and Bob Moore photography has rolled with the punches, but their passion for the art has hardly changed a bit. “Photography changes constantly, but every time a newer model camera comes out, they have done something to make it better,” Bob says. “You do have to stay on top of it as to what is going on. If you stay with it, you learn something new everyday.”