Trying to create gradient glow text overtop of a photograph

I'm trying to create glowing text overtop of a photograph in illustrator. I want the text to be glowing white with an outer outline of a pink to yellow gradient- pink on the top and yellow on the bottom to match the lights of my photograph. I thought i had found the perfect tutorial here: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbB19DT-DmA

and worked fine for me with a black background but when I try to do the same thing on my photograph the overlay doesn't work. 

I've tried creating a gradient text with a guassian blur and then the same with white text slightly smaller and laying it on top, but when I apply the guassian blur to the gradient text, it always creates dark lines throughout the text that are in the way. 

I'm open to trying anything that will work with my photograph. Any help greatly appreciated! 

Thanks