Most teenagers spend their adolescent years focusing on their high school classes and extracurriculars, dreaming of their futures and what comes after graduation. However, the young and innovative Caydence Kuo did not just dream— or even wait to graduate, for that matter— she acted. As a formal Yorba Linda High School student, Caydence graduated one year early, to turn her passion for photography, faith, and community into Apricity Collective, a thriving “social club” that empowers young women through creative photo shoots.
At just 18 years old, Caydence is doing what many only imagine: running her own businesses, inspiring others, and proving that age is no barrier to ambition and success. Through Apricity Collective, she is not only building stunning portfolios for herself as a photographer but also fostering friendships and spreading positivity.
At its heart, Apricity Collective is more than just a business, it is a safe space for girls — specifically aged 15-19 — to build their modeling portfolios, connect with others, and feel supported in an environment that champions creativity. As stated by Caydence herself, “Our purpose is to cultivate a loving and supportive community so that every girl is seen, heard, loved, and appreciated for her beauty inside and out, all while spreading the light of Jesus.”
Each month, Apricity hosts themed photoshoots where aspiring models can showcase their individuality. Applications to model in one of these photoshoots are open to anyone who wants to join, and Caydence herself personally interviews each applicant to ensure that her shoot has a positive and welcoming dynamic. Chloe Huang (11) is one of Apricity Collective’s returning models and shared, “For me, modeling for Apricity has helped me meet so many people and provided me with connections with girls who are actually in the modeling industry. It was really inspiring being able to work with so many young women with similar passions as mine and love for fashion.” She continued to express that she’s had “the best experience working with Caydence and all of the other amazing girls.”
Caydence’s journey as a young entrepreneur began with a small clothing brand she started while still in high school. “I began asking my classmates to model my pieces, and from there, everyone wanted to be a part of my shoots because they loved them so much!” she explains. When she began to realize the potential for something different, something bigger, she shifted her focus in order to grow a different kind of business.
Today— Apricity isn’t just a business, it’s a platform for teen girls to express themselves creatively and build confidence. Participants leave with not only more than 200 professional photos but also life-long memories and friendships! “The girls always come out of shoots feeling incredibly inspired and loved!” Caydence shared.
When asked about her life as a teenage entrepreneur, Caydence exclaimed “Life is absolutely amazing!” After graduating early, she now runs both Apricity Collective and a personal photography business full-time. Having photo-shoot-packed days and long nights of editing and responding to emails, Caydence has no time to slack — but she loves every minute of it! “It doesn’t feel like a job at all!” She explained, “This business has been such a huge blessing and opportunity for me to grow as a teen entrepreneur and learn so much about myself.” Balancing two businesses has taught Caydence valuable lessons about time management and staying positive when challenges arise, making her an inspiration to teens everywhere.
Caydence offers this advice for young entrepreneurs: “There is no ‘perfect time’ to start. The perfect time is when you decide to create and share what you’re passionate about.” Encouraging aspiring business owners to focus on their joy and avoid letting outside opinions influence their enthusiasm, she advises to “always stick with the plan, not your mood. Marketing and social media can make or break a business, so use them to your biggest advantage.” But, most importantly, Caydence wants to remind others to stay connected to their purpose. “Never forget WHY you started. Believe in yourself no matter what, and know that God has your back.”
Overall, through Apricity Collective, Caydence Kuo is creating more than just beautiful Instagram-worthy photos. She is building a movement that encourages creativity, faith, and empowerment for young women. Her story is a testament to the power of following your heart and pursuing your passions, keeping trust in whatever vision you may have, and bringing it to life. As she continues to grow her business, Caydence inspires others to dream big, work tirelessly, push their boundaries, and create art that satisfies their soul.
