Check Out Adrienne Moore’s Story

I have been showcasing my line of jewelry, ToothNnail, since, alongside building a steady, renegade photography business in Northern California. Both have been fulfilling pursuits & I’m so grateful for the positive reception over these 16 odd years.

I now rotate photographic coverage of over 300+ businesses in SF & have shot everything from album covers to luxury eco-resorts. While I was never formally trained, I am insanely passionate about capturing the deeper atmosphere of a subject & perhaps that commitment is what shines through.

Re the jewelry, I was immensely honored to be included in a recent Lady Gaga shoot where she wore one of my rings & have loved seeing generations of ToothNnail, on everyone from brides to festival goers, community members, & beyond.

In 2019, I was fortunate enough to be grandfathered into a gorgeous studio space (a set of former 1960’s greenhouses in Tam Valley), where the 2 passions (photo/design) took on another level of momentum altogether. The focus since the move has shifted dramatically away from simply creating my own art/momentum towards a more communally driven agenda.

The impact that the tech boom + pandemic closures had on the city was catastrophic. Beloved/legendary venues & art spaces were closing left, right, & center. The acquisition of this rustic but dreamy space has allowed my studio mate, Ali Gold, & I to launch monthly pop-ups, featuring the very best West Coast vendors alongside our own art.

It has been priceless to be able to do a small part in keeping the vibe & art scene alive/thriving here. There is just SO much talent up/down the West Coast. We run the pop-ups all year, minus January/February & July/August, with regular workshops in the mix as well.

My dream? Well, it’s to be able to look back & know I had some kind of impact on supporting the vitality of the maker scene here, as this area has always been a Mecca for the Arts.

My other dream is to continue to galvanize more creative photo work, especially contracts that allow for travel & to make enough to stay afloat here with our beloved community.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

In a word, no haha…largely joyful though, but there have been 2 main predictable struggles that exist to date.

1) I have a hearty dose of right brain fervor. As much as I am logical & organized, I have always despised math, numbers & the like. I tend to actively resist engaging with that side of business, in favor of indulging in the creative process.

While admittedly immature, I feel as though there are people that thrive in every possible arena & that those creating something might not always be the best person to take on the other pieces needed for that creation to take flight.

Being a small business owner it is often the case that most of us are attempting to wear ALL the hats, to keep costs low, & that default can be an Achilles heel to true success &/ or growth.

Perhaps this is what might draw prospective clients to the table as opposed to that of a more formal, more classically perfect photographer. I’m really not sure.

Re Jewely- well, I love women, plain & simple! I love working with them, adoring/adorning them + celebrating women in my world.

Jewelry has a special way of bringing an unmistakable magic. It can transform your entire mood, uplift, augment, & empower. I always say the best way to wear a stellar piece of jewelry is naked!

I like to play with all sizes, from the teeny tiny to the dramatic, but almost always favor bold over demur pieces & natural/warm over cooler tones. I think what makes my line unique is that everyone from the high-powered art exec at Apple to the 20-something festival goer on a budget can find their dream piece to complement their style, as I like to be varied.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
So many, from my parents (both fiercely talented in their own right) who raised me to freely pursue my own creative whims to my husband Johnny & kids Sage + Sky, who actively fan the flames.

My parents have both always supported my many whims, beginning with decades of poetry, publishing, performances, into jewelry/photography. I think it’s rare to have that level of cheerleading when choosing an admittedly less lucrative & stable set of paths.

Then of course, I am thankful for everyone along the way that I have worked alongside, from the thousands of makers over time who inspire & co-collaborate, to my gem vendors, to my regular jewelry customers, studio mate Ali Gold & more broadly, the many businesses/people/places that trust me & my photography.

I run multiple social media accounts for beloved Bay Area businesses & consider this a huge honor to be handed that level of freedom & trust with their brands.

Thanks for the spotlight!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Toothnnail @adrienneleighmoorephotography @tamvalleystudios