Creative Director of Scott Brothers Entertainment, environmental advocate and entrepreneur, Linda Phan Scott shares how she creatively tackles her professional and personal day-to-day projects using photography as one of her outlets. 

1. Tell us about your interest in photography.
Photography is a tool for me to slow down. I am fascinated with how photographs transcend time, place and our own memories. They take us back to a certain subject or place, or push us towards a new experience. In short, I love how photography creates pause and space to reflect.

2. Who initially sparked your interest in photography?
My sister took a photography class in high school and she brought home a camera that the school lent students. Of course, when I was able to, I too had to take that same class. :) It was exciting to have a camera of “my own” that I could photograph anything with. I loved planning out each shot - since film wasn’t unlimited and expensive, we had to be careful not to waste; and when it came to developing the photos in the dark room, we had to be precise so as not to waste the photo paper! It was very therapeutic watching the image appear. I just loved the entire process!

3. What camera do you currently photograph with?
Leica CL

4. What is one image that you’ve made that speaks to you the most?
I love seeing my family together, so this one with my two nephews simply makes me smile.

5. What are your favorite subjects to photograph?
Laughter and nature. I also love the imperfection and messiness of social gatherings and what’s left of the spaces afterwards. The food has been eaten and people have left the table. But there are still remnants of the memories that were created there. I enjoy having to recall the faces of people that might have been at the table, and remembering what we talked and laughed about. So these photos are more like memory prompts rather than conclusive statements of the experience. Which is a fun little brain exercise because sometimes I don't know if my memories are just of photographs or if it's of the actual experience! 

6. What are other ways you express yourself creatively?
I like to sew, even though I’m not good at it! I recently set up my mom’s old sewing machine (that she had since before I was born!). I also love a good doodle session.

7. How do you find time to balance your career and entrepreneur work with your creative passions?
I’m lucky that my work allows me to be creative, but I am always trying to find more outlets and time to work on creative passions - the sweet spot is certainly when the two meet. Saturday or Sunday mornings are usually my creative free-flow days when I allow my mind to wander and just do what I feel!

8. Of all the projects you’ve worked on, which one left an indelible impression on your current point of view?
My podcast, At Home with Linda and Drew Scott, which I host with my husband, has been a very rewarding work in progress. I appreciate all the time that our guests take to share their stories and I'm grateful to be able to share those with listeners. Each guest encourages me to reflect on all the values with which we build our homes, and thus the foundation of our lives, on. Whether it's learning the power of spreading joy from entrepreneur, Joy Cho, or lessons from Greg and Anna McKeown in pursuing less to get more out of life, the podcast has helped me slow down to have more meaningful conversations. 

9. What are some of the challenges you faced as a female entrepreneur? How did you overcome those challenges?
There are so many connotations to the word ‘entrepreneur’ that I still struggle with and continue to work through. The notion that you have to be loud and outgoing, for example, never jived with me. Luckily, we now have numerous leaders who exemplify the power of finding one’s unique voice, rather than trying to fit into an antiquated mold. For myself, I constantly remind myself to tune into my emotions rather than push them aside.  

10. What is one advice you have to offer for those who are interested or starting out in their entrepreneur path?
This quote from the amazing Dr. Jane Goodall has been on my mind a lot, especially during these times in the face of great global challenges when we can easily feel lost in whatever path we’re on. 

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”