About
We’re Hope & Reed, Founders of The Junior Collective
How in the heck can you expect a client to trust you when you barely have a driver’s license? How is it possible to make the right choice about your future when everyone you look up to has a different opinion? How can you know that trusting your gut is the right move when everything around you tells you that you’re too naive?
BEEN THERE. DOne that.
Building a business and taking the “road less traveled” as an entrepreneur can be absolutely terrifying. The ones closest to you may be doubting you, you may be getting bullied or mocked by your peers, you may be doubting yourself and trying to decide if this is the right path for you. After growing my business to multiple 6-figures in revenue, and far surpassing the salary I would have made in any other career. I’m so grateful that I chose this unconventional path. I have spent the last 6 years of my business educating other photographers on how I got here, but my heart lies with other young entrepreneurs wanting to go out on a limb to pursue their calling. I want to provide inspiration, education, community and resources that I would have loved to have back when I was 16...so we did just that.
I started taking pictures of my friends for fun when I was 15 years old. Fast-forward to my senior year of high school, I decided that I wanted to take my business seriously...even if no one else did. After graduating, I committed to a university to pursue a business degree..then decided at the absolute last second (as in, after I had paid for all my classes...) that I wanted to revoke my admission and go full-time with this dream of mine. That was 10 years ago.
Welcome to the Junior Collective...I can’t wait to meet you!
@hopetaylorphotography
Hope Taylor
I never thought my childhood hobby of collecting golf balls in my backyard would turn into me running a full-time photography business.
Let me back up a bit - growing up, I started every kind of “business” possible with my sister. We sold used golf balls on our local golf course, had lemonade stands, and even published two books to the Amazon Kindle store. If I could be creative and make a profit at the same time, I was all in.
I’ll be honest: I had a lot of support through everything, but it’s hard without young business owners to relate to. I knew I wanted to create a community of like-minded people to connect with; one that could help members generate fresh ideas, grow their ventures, and be a source of inspiration. Cue the Junior Collective.
No idea is too crazy here, and no one is too young to accomplish it.
When I was fourteen, I decided to go all-in on my next project: photography. I got a DSLR camera for Christmas (straight from Costco), started shadowing other photographers, and officially started my first LLC when I was 15 years old. By the time I graduated high school, I was confident in my identity as a business owner. I worked what felt like endless hours to grow my brand... so even though I committed to my dream college five hours away from home, I decided to revoke my acceptance and enroll for classes at a local university.
Welcome to the Junior Collective: let’s make those dreams happen.
@reedgallagherphoto
Reed Gallagher
I graduated high school + decided to take my business full-time
hope
Also the first year I made six-figures as a photographer ;)
Started high school and got my first DSLR camera for Christmas
REED
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
REED
The year I began my business in high school
hope
The year I spoke at my first conference + began teaching other photographers
hope
Officially got my business license and started running my photography business
NEXT
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Spoke at my first in-person conference as an educator
REED
The year I moved to Charleston, SC + bought my first home
hope
Graduated high school and decided to revoke my admission to TCU and instead stay in Houston to continue growing my business
REED
Also the year I launched my online shop to sell digital products
The year I got engaged + moved to Savannah, GA
hope
Launched my first online course, the Styled Shoot Academy
REED
HOPE
The year my title will change from “fiance” to “WIFE”!
