Josh Turner was photographing weddings at 16. Now the Tamworth photographer, Gomeroi man, and owner of four businesses is putting his own story on the page, and he says he isn’t leaving out the hard parts.
His first book, Too Young… Too Early… Did It Anyway!, will be launched at The Pavillion in Tamworth on Friday, 13 November.
“I didn’t want this book to become a highlight reel of my life. That’s not what it’s about,” said Josh Turner.
“I wanted people to understand that behind the businesses, the photographs, the opportunities and the achievements is a person who is still learning, still making mistakes and still figuring things out.”
The title comes from a pattern in his life. Starting a photography business, building more businesses, and stepping into leadership roles all came at times when people may have thought he should wait.
“But I’ve never really been someone who wanted to sit around waiting for the perfect time,” Mr Turner said.
“I think sometimes we spend so much time convincing ourselves we’re not ready that we end up missing opportunities.”
“The reality is, I haven’t always known what I was doing, and I certainly haven’t had everything figured out, but I did it anyway.”
Mr Turner said he wrote the book for anyone who has felt they weren’t ready, weren’t experienced enough, or didn’t fit the mould. He particularly wanted to reach young people in regional communities who have big ideas but don’t know where to start.
“I also wanted to write something that people from Aboriginal and LGBTQIA+ communities could pick up and see a little bit of themselves in,” he said.
“I’m a proud Gomeroi man, and my journey hasn’t always been straightforward.”
“There have been challenges around identity, confidence, business and finding my place in the world.”
He said he wanted to show readers that you don’t need a particular background, money, or the right connections to create something meaningful.
“Ultimately, I wrote it for the person who needs a reminder that their circumstances don’t have to determine their future,” Mr Turner said.
Photography was a hobby for about ten years before Mr Turner turned it into a business, launching JT Photographic Studios at 21.
“I didn’t have a big business plan or some elaborate strategy,” he said.
“I had a camera, a passion for what I was doing and a willingness to learn.”
From there, the businesses grew one out of another. Requests for graphic design, branding, and printing led to Ironleaf Creative. Video production and content creation became The Above & Beyond Media Co. Around We Spin brings a 360-degree video booth to events across the region.
“Honestly, it happened quite organically. I never sat down one day and thought I was going to build four businesses,” Mr Turner said.
“Around We Spin came from seeing an opportunity to bring a niche service that generally you only see in the big cities at big events to events in the New England North West.”
He said a turning point came with the 2023 NAIDOC exhibition, which showed him his creative skills could be used for something bigger than running a business.
“As a young Gomeroi man, being able to contribute creatively to something that celebrates Aboriginal culture and community was incredibly meaningful,” he said.
“I think it was one of those moments where I started to realise that what I was building wasn’t just about taking photos or making money.”
“It was also about creating opportunities, telling stories and hopefully making a difference along the way.”
Alongside the businesses, Mr Turner works full-time at TAFE NSW as an instructional designer. He has completed a bachelor’s degree, is halfway through a master’s degree, and has now written and published a book.
“Honestly, I’m not sure I always do it particularly well!” he said.
“I think if you asked the people around me, they’d probably tell you that I have a habit of taking on a little more than I probably should.”
He said he relies on a group of people and staff who support him, and has learned that being busy is not the same as being productive.
Being young has also meant being underestimated.
“I’ve had situations where I’ve walked into a room and felt that I needed to prove myself simply because of my age,” Mr Turner said.
Rather than get caught up in it, he said he has let his work speak for itself. That has led to work with clients including The Angels, James Hill Music, Dungowan Day Out, Cancer Council Dancing with the Stars, and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Ball.
“I think one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that you don’t need everybody to believe in you,” he said.
“Sometimes you just need to be willing to believe in yourself long enough to get started.”
Mr Turner said building a creative business in Tamworth has its challenges, including convincing people that the services they want are available in their own backyard. But he would not change it.
“I think there’s a real opportunity for young people in regional areas to build something incredible without necessarily having to move away,” he said.
“You can build a business, create employment, develop relationships and make an impact right here.”
He took the same approach to the book. He published with Tellwell, an assisted self-publishing company, so he could keep creative control over how the story was told and presented.
“Sometimes you can spend years waiting for someone to give you permission or open a door for you,” Mr Turner said.
“Other times, you have to create that opportunity yourself. Publishing this book was another example of doing exactly that.”
His advice for young people in Tamworth with an idea is short.
“Just start,” he said.
“You don’t need to have the perfect business plan, the perfect logo, the perfect equipment or every single detail worked out before you take that first step.”
“Don’t compare your beginning to somebody else’s middle.”
The book launch details are:
- Friday, 13 November, from 6 pm
- The Pavillion, Tamworth
- RSVP at https://events.humanitix.com/too-young-too-early-did-it-anyway-book-launch
Over the next five years, Mr Turner hopes to grow his businesses, create more local jobs and education opportunities, and eventually expand into other locations. He also wants to keep building his career in education, particularly for Aboriginal students and regional communities.
“So, whatever the next five years look like, I hope there’s a lot more of doing things that people might think are too early, too ambitious or a little bit crazy,” he said.
“And doing them anyway!”
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