The women of SchlickArt share their voices. Don’t you want to listen?

Here at SchlickArt, we’ve been inspired by the changing conversations around women and their place in this world. Women’s movements are gaining attention, credibility and momentum on multiple stages, and more and more, we’re beginning to take notice where women are missing from the conversation.

Reese Witherspoon, for example, has drawn considerable attention to the fact that women are often missing from the executive levels of entertainment. They’re missing from powerful scripts and leading roles with substance — especially after actresses cross the 45+ age barrier.

In the business arena, Sheryl Sandberg sheds light on the lack of women in leadership roles, as well.

“Real change will come when powerful women are less of an exception,” she says.

And in our world, leading women’s photographer Sue Bryce has pointed out another gap: No one is paying attention to the “wise women” who fall in the 50+ age bracket.

“This woman is so powerful,” Bryce says. “Yet she is unseen. A woman over 50 doesn’t appear in media unless it’s a retirement ad. She barely exists — she’s nobody.”

Yet, in our studio, we see how adored and valued these women are on a daily basis.

“This woman needs to exist. She’s beautiful. She’s powerful,” Bryce says. “And in three years, when I walk into this (group), I want to know that this woman has been seen, this woman has been heard, and this woman has been empowered.”

Because we share this same belief, SchlickArt has been dedicated to serving women since before it had a name or a plan. We knew we wanted to start a business with purpose, and we could see how invisible and undervalued real women felt. So today, we watch their transformations as they step in front of our camera and demand to have their beauty documented.

We see their power. We see their strength. Yet, we also see their complacency with living in the shadows all too often.

That’s what breaks our hearts.

“Everybody has the right to be seen and heard,” Lindsay Schlick said. “It’s our legacy. It’s how we ensure our value as people, as women, is passed on and kept alive. It’s how we ensure our stories don’t disappear. Listening to and truly seeing another person is one of the most important things we can do for each other.”

As our contribution to this conversation, we wanted to share some of the most inspiring stories we’ve heard from this “silent generation” of women. We wanted to provide a small stage for the big voices in our valley that make us all better humans simply by touching our hearts and leading by example.

So here are six things the silent generation of women wants you to know.

1. They define beauty on their own terms.

• “What comes out of your heart is true beauty. All the makeup and fancy clothes in the world doesn’t make you truly beautiful.” ~Stephanie

2. They’re in love with the men who support them.

• “He’s an angel. I don’t know where to start. He’s grounded, he’s solid, and he’s a beautiful man inside and out.” ~Janine
• “He puts us first. In a room full of three women, it’s hard for him to get a word in edgewise, so he doesn’t speak a lot. But when he does, he comes in withthe most funny things, and we all start laughing.” ~Debbie

3. They think about their legacy — and what will happen when they’re gone.

• “Your legacy is what you give to your family. You want them to carry it on. You want the traditions to keep going through the generations. You want the goodness, the heart, the strength. Those are all legacies. I want my family to have all those things and carry them on.” ~Kim
• “How you love yourselves and how you treat other people is my legacy. That’s what I want to instill in you, and that’s what I want to go on.” ~Janine

4. Their family is their pride and joy, not their identity.

   

   Bailey, Janine and Camille

• “I want to show people I’m proud of my family. I want to show off my family.” ~Cynthia 
• “Every moment that I see light in their eyes is pure joy.” ~Janine

5. They strive to raise individuals and instill acceptance.

• “(My daughter) Paige is my best of both worlds girl. She’s not afraid to get dirty, and she’s not afraid to dress up. I like the fact that she tried to be herself — she doesn’t try to be like everybody else. She doesn’t try to wear the same things as everyone or enjoy the same kind of music. I like that she’s her own person.” ~Stephanie
• “My hope for the world is that we can all follow our own paths and be secure enough as individuals to just be who you are. Be loud and proud or quiet — however you are. Just follow your own journey.” ~Debbie
• “I’d like to think that I’m very light-hearted and giving in the sense that, you are who you are, and I will accept that.” ~Patty
• “As long as you’re authentic and a good human being — you’re in. We love you.” ~Janine

6. They’re quietly content with who they are and what they’ve built.

• “Right now, my time here is just perfect. The kids are gone, and we’re empty-nesters, and that’s a wonderful place to be. I can’t feel luckier. I want to always feel the elation that I feel right now. My children are wonderful adults. I have a wonderful, loving husband. We made it! This is definitely a time to record.” ~Patty

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Coming Soon: Stay tuned for a special video tribute to the mothers that come through our studio in celebration of Mother’s Day, which will be released in April!

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About Lindsay’s Photography for Women

With the mind of a businesswoman and the heart of an adventurer, Lindsay began to conceive of a different kind of Santa Clarita photography business. In her vision, stepping in front of the camera could be an empowering experience that gave her clients more than just a photograph — it would give people a new way of seeing themselves. With an eye for seeing the beauty in life and in others, Lindsay could use the camera to spread beauty.

About SchlickArt Photography and Video

SchlickArt, a boutique photo and video studio in Santa Clarita, started in March 2012 with the simple idea that empowerment creates a kind of beauty and authenticity that shines through every camera lens. Built on a philosophy — rather than a product, service or person — SchlickArt has rapidly evolved, meeting professional portraiture, business photo and business video needs as diverse as the community we capture. It’s the desire to take care of you, the client, that drives us at SchlickArt.