Alumni Profile: Erika (Larson) Scott '97

Photographer/Owner
TheRedBarnPhotography.com
Major at Linfield: Finance

What are you doing now?
This year, I turned my hobby into a business and launched The Red Barn Photography! I specialize in newborn, children, family and senior portraits.

Tell us about yourself.
I'm a Linfield alumna, class of 1998 (although I technically finished in winter of '97). I graduated with a degree in finance and got married right out of college, to fellow Linfield alumnus Tom Scott '95. I worked in the financial field for two years before having our first son, Luke. I continued working from home the year after Luke was born, but "retired" before our second son was born the following summer. I had four kids in five and a half years which kept me very busy! In all, I stayed home 13 years raising the kids and being an active volunteer at their school... and I loved it. My youngest kiddo entered first grade this fall, and with all four of the kids in school full time, I knew it was time for a new chapter in my life. The timing was right to turn my passion for photography into production, thus was born The Red Barn Photography. I still enjoy my volunteer time at school and our kids are very busy in sports and extracurricular activities, making a typical 9-5 job a logistical challenge for our family. My photography business has allowed me the ability to pursue my interest, while having the flexibility to schedule around the needs of my family.

How did Linfield help prepare you for your career?
Linfield gave me a broad knowledge base and helped me realize that there are so many career possibilities out there! I enjoyed the close relationship I shared with my professors and appreciated the fact that they knew me by name. I wasn't afraid to ask questions and seek the answers I was looking for. As a photographer, I am grateful for the business background that I gained from Linfield and the confidence I have to go forth and take on new pursuits!