About Bob and Gail Knight
Bob and Gail Knight are entrepreneurial pioneers, community leaders, and passionate advocates for education and philanthropy. Together, they have built a remarkable career in the event photography industry, creating a legacy that spans more than four decades. Their business acumen, combined with a shared commitment to innovation and excellence, has allowed them to successfully grow and transform multiple ventures, leaving a lasting impact on their industries and communities.
Career Milestones
Bob Knight started his career in photography at just 19 years old, founding Bob Knight Photo (BKP) while attending college. What began as a small operation photographing sorority and fraternity events rapidly expanded to become a dominant force in commencement photography across Florida and California. Through hard work, ingenuity, and a commitment to quality, BKP soon became the go-to provider for graduation photography, capturing the milestone moments of millions of students’ lives. The company’s success continued to grow through strategic acquisitions and partnerships, culminating in the formation of Event Photography Group (EPG), which served nearly 2 million graduates annually across North America.
Gail Knight, a Certified Public Accountant with an eye for financial management, brought her expertise and entrepreneurial spirit to the business from the beginning. As CFO and co-owner, Gail played an instrumental role in expanding BKP from a regional company into an industry leader. Her leadership in negotiating acquisitions, developing cutting-edge digital systems, and overseeing complex financial operations was key to BKP’s growth. Her ability to analyze data and manage operations made her a sought-after expert in the field.
In 2014, Bob and Gail’s business reached new heights with the expansion into Iconic Group, where they further solidified their leadership in high-volume event photography by acquiring and managing major contracts with mall-based Santa and Easter Bunny photo services across North America. Their expertise in handling large-scale events made them a go-to name for businesses needing reliable, high-quality photography solutions.
Philanthropy and Community Engagement
Throughout their careers, Bob and Gail have remained deeply committed to giving back to their community and supporting educational initiatives. They have been longstanding supporters of Florida State University (FSU), with multiple major donations, including the naming of the Gail and Bob Knight Auditorium in Legacy Hall, the establishment of an endowed athletic scholarship for FSU Football and a major gift to the FSU Softball Program. They have also contributed significantly to the FSU College of Communication and the FSU College of Business, supporting programs and initiatives that inspire the next generation of leaders.
Beyond FSU, the Knights have dedicated time, energy, and financial resources to a wide array of philanthropic causes. They have been active board members of organizations like Holy Comforter Episcopal School, Tallahassee Tottenham Hotspur FC, and Tax Watch Florida, among others. Bob’s mentorship of youth has spanned over 50 years, and he has been an active counselor at the Florida American Legion Boys State program, where he has shaped the lives of young men through his leadership training and historical education programs.
Published Authors and Public Speakers
In 2020, Bob and Gail published Married To It, a book that chronicles their 40-year journey of balancing love and business as an entrepreneurial couple. The book has been embraced by many for its candid portrayal of their personal and professional life and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
As frequent guest lecturers and speakers, the Knights continue to share their experiences with university students and business professionals. Their insights into entrepreneurship, growth management, and leadership have made them respected voices in their field.
A Global Perspective
Through their business and personal travels, Bob and Gail have visited over 90 countries on six continents. From capturing images at iconic events to exploring the wonders of the world, their travels have broadened their perspectives and informed their business decisions. Bob’s passion for photography has taken him to the far corners of the globe, capturing some of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes and cultures.
Legacy
Today, Bob and Gail continue to innovate and serve through the Knight Think Institute (KTI), a platform they founded to expand their philanthropic and community service efforts while offering consulting to businesses and organizations. KTI is the culmination of their shared vision to make a positive impact on the world through entrepreneurship, education, and charitable work.
Together, Bob and Gail Knight are driven by a passion for excellence, a commitment to community, and a deep love for their family, friends, and colleagues. Their legacy is one of service, integrity, and a constant drive to make the world a better place for future generations.
GAIL FITZGERALD KNIGHT
“THE TSARINA”
Gail Fitzgerald Knight has always had a mind for numbers. While growing up in Dayton, Ohio she exceled in all things mathematical from a very young age. Her father often told her that she should study accounting. He would say “Gail, bean counters, run the world.” She didn’t know at the time at true that statement would be especially in the world of the event photography.
Gail’s mother’s family were true Seminoles. Gail is a 4th generation ‘Nole and her son, Tommy added another generation upon graduating in 2019. But before Gail arrived at FSU, she attended the United State Military Academy at West Point, New York as a member of the Class of 1982, the 3rd class with women cadets. Upon entering the academy in June 1979, Gail fully intended to graduate with her classmates. But circumstances changed and she resigned her commission later that year. Although her stint at West Point was shortened, her growth and maturity as a 17-year-old cadet changed her life forever.
Upon entering FSU, Gail pledged Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority. She had no idea how that would change her life forever. In the Fall of 1979, she met Bob Knight and was offered a job in his company, Photography by Bob Knight and Crew. Very quickly Gail realized that this small photography company which was focused on taking pictures at fraternity and sorority events had potential. She realized that the speculation marketing of event photography necessitated speed of proof delivery. Gail suggested to Bob that he needed a second shift to speed up graduation proof delivery. And Bob simply replied, “Great idea. Why don’t you do it.” And the rest as they say is history.
After teaming up together, and obtaining her CPA license, the company began a remarkable upward trajectory that would take the business — and their relationship — to new heights. They were married in 1984 and became lifelong partners.
Gail pioneered new systems within the world of graduation and event photography. She led a team which devised systems for efficiency such as their industry-leading technology called GradTrak™, a solution for managing millions of images at the same time. Gail’s ability to optimize and deliver on a grand scale cannot be overstated.
The Knights led Bob Knight Photography, later Iconic Group, through several decades of growth and prosperity. Gail with her proclivity for analytics and data management became the leading expert in financial and performance metrics in the industry. BKP employed tens of thousands of FSU students as part-time photographers, salespeople and office staff along the way. With Bob and CEO and Gail as CFO, their company successfully navigated the transition into the digital age, including the impact the internet and digital photography had on their industry. After 15 key strategic acquisitions in the event photography space, their GradImages™ brand achieved service contracts with more than half of America’s universities and nearly 150 marathons per year, including 5 of the world’s major races: Chicago, Berlin, New York, Boston and London. Their mix of service and marketing led their company to reach nearly $100 million in annual revenue, with more than 4 million customers per year.
The Knights have chronicled their decades-long journey in a book titled “Married To It: How an Entrepreneurial Couple Built a Photography Empire by Investing in Their Customers, Staff and Each Other,” which is available in hardback or audiobook.
Gail enjoys giving back to her community. She currently services on the FSU College of Business Board of Governors Executive Committee. She has also served on the boards of Holy Comforter Episcopal School and the Tallahassee Tottenham FC, a local youth soccer program.
Gail and Bob especially enjoy giving back to FSU where they met. If it weren’t for FSU, none of this would have happened.
ROBERT GIFFORD KNIGHT
“The Oracle”
Robert Gifford Knight often quips that he…, “Identifies as an above average, middle-aged native Miamian; politically moderate, gently used, but bulldoze driven.” Bob Knight is also an accomplished Entrepreneur, a Photography Industry Executive, and Florida History educator.
Bob is the son of a Miami Herald columnist, a creative promoter, and a visionary thinker. His daring led to a paradigm shift in the world of large event photography. He is a self-made entrepreneurial titan who forged a best practice standard throughout the world’s event photography landscape.
Bob is an expert in communications, business acumen, and innovation. As the CEO of Bob Knight Photo, and later Iconic Group, he led the most successful event photography businesses on the planet, using speed, reliability and developing relationships throughout the industry. Bob’s meticulous focus on customer needs, underscores his passion for service expectations and grand outcomes.
During his 50 years in the Photography business, Bob and his team have captured tens of millions of images for guests of Disney Theme Parks™, College Graduates receiving diplomas and endurance race athletes celebrating the most important moments of their lives.
Bob and his wife, Gail are published authors; Married To It, How an entrepreneurial couple built a photography empire, by investing in their customers, their staff and each other.” They are also active Philanthropists, mostly for Florida, Colleges and Universities. The Knights are major donors and supporters of their alma mater, FSU, where Bob and Gail first met as undergraduates. They currently endow scholarships, contribute with guest lectures and participate in projects from FSU’s Seminole Softball Program and Seminole Boosters to the new FSU College of Business Legacy Hall.
Mr. Knight is also an avid student of world geography, cultures and high adventure. He and Gail have created images and captured moments in 98 different countries on all 7 continents.
In his adventures, Bob’s photographic antics call for every kind of unusual travel on the planet, including boats, blimps, biplanes, balloons, battleships, and even one Navy Grumman A-6 Intruder attack fighter.
Bob Knight’s most recent endeavor is the Knight Think Institute, LLC; an advisory group where he presides as Local Oracle and Senior Thought leader, here in Tallahassee. Bob and Gail are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary in 2024. They have 3 grown children; Timmy, 33, Danny and Tommy (twins), 28.
“Knight is ultimately a victim; if only for his obsessive, frenzied, and tunnel visioned drive for success.“
– Jack Counts, President and CEO, Candid Color Systems
Timothy F. knight
Timothy Knight graduated from The University of Colorado Boulder in 2013 with a BA in International Affairs.
He currently works in a sales and marketing role for global adventure travel company G Adventures.
DANNY B. KNIGHT
Daniel Brock Knight, one of the younger twin boys, is a 2019 graduate of Appalchian State University in Boone, NC. His bachelor degree is in Music Industry Studies and Music Recording and Production. Now a journeyman Sound engineer, Danny works with clients in New Orleans, providing equipment and expertise for live performances and recording. Danny is also privileged to work on film movie sets. He recently resigned his full time position to take a sabbatical traveling through Europe. Danny is a musician and regularly performs throughout greater New Orleans.
TOMMY g. KNIGHT
Thomas Gifford Knight, Danny’s fraternal twin brother is currently living in Washington DC, where he teaches primary grade students at The Langley School in Northern Virginia. Tommy earned his Masters degree in Public Policy in 2022 from Essex University in Cholchester, England. He also attended Florida State University, his parents’ Alma mater, earning his bachelors degree from the College of Fine Arts. Tommy became a 5th generation ’Nole in the family.
“The most dangerous worldview is the worldview of those who have not viewed the world”
– Alexander Von Humbolt
Bob and Gail think one of their greatest gifts to their children was that they made them worldly.