Wondering what the SchlickArt team has been up to this year? Check out our favorite memories and milestones from 2021. 

For many, 2021 might have felt a little like limbo. Though we witnessed some return to normalcy throughout the pandemic, we’re still not out of the woods. But at SchlickArt, we banded together to make the most out of this incredible year – in business, in the community and at home. Here are some of the milestones and memories we cherish most from the past year.  

SchlickArt: In Business

From a business standpoint, we feel incredibly grateful to have expanded our team this year because it allowed us to add new luxury touches that we hope make the SchlickArt experience better and better every year. For example, we expanded our product line to include more modern and contemporary photography products – from a sleek marble portrait box to a wood wall print – that fit perfectly into your homes and offices, as well as your personal taste and style. While you’re shopping our gallery wall in the studio, you might also enjoy handmade truffles from our new catering partner, Dianna Sherick-Aquino, owner of D’lish Culinary Design, who always knows how to make our favorite treats for staff lunches and events. 

While you’re in the studio, you might also have the pleasure of meeting our newest addition to the team, Studio Operations Assistant Logan Howard (more commonly known as Logie or Sweetie), who instantly welcomed himself to the team and warmed the hearts of our clients and the community. Whether he’s assisting a shoot, serving clients in the studio, or polishing up our social media feeds, Logan has been an asset to our team while we grew our marketing efforts in 2021. In fact, Logan has helped expand our social media presence on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, often drawing from the wealth of knowledge on our blog, which reached over 190 articles this year. 

Logan and our Content Writer, Kirsten Smith, help us get the word out about all things SchlickArt throughout the year, including new developments with each photo/video line. When it comes to our business lines, for example, Brian created over 130 videos that range from educational SchlickArt videos to client videos that help us get to know the businesses and organizations that are making a difference right here at home. Lindsay also expanded SchlickArt’s on-location photography line to include Destination Cityscapes Sessions, which take us to different spots throughout Southern California for truly stunning lifestyle marketing. Our newest form of media, SchlickArt Video Podcast Productions, wrapped the first season of The Ask Amanda Show and is already nearing completion of the second season. 

When it comes to our personal lines, we gave some love to The Fabulous Sessions by launching a new video series called Bou-Tea Breaks, where Lindsay and Sonja spill the tea on all things boudoir. We also created a special photography event called Moms & Mimosas that celebrated SchlickArt moms on the day their kids (finally!) went back to school for the first time since the pandemic started. Sonja also expanded our family line with new product choices and her absolutely gorgeous Family Pop Up Sessions by Sonja. These quarterly one-time-only pop ups captured Santa Clarita families in special locations from stunning desert terrain to a festive Christmas backdrop. 

From marketing videos to family portraits, this year has been everything we hoped it would be on the business front. That’s why we also made an intentional effort to give back to the community however we could this year. 

SchlickArt: In the Community

In August, we were finally able to share a special project we’d been working on since spring 2020. The 12 Months of Quarantine Charity Photography Exhibit aimed to capture the silver lining of the pandemic experience for 20 families and businesses in Santa Clarita. Displayed at Westfield Valencia Town Center, the exhibit was created in partnership with the SCV Chamber of Commerce and raised more than $5,000 for local charities. 

We did a lot with the Chamber this year, starting with Lindsay’s new position on the Board of Directors. In addition to her board role, Lindsay also chaired NextSCV, the Chamber’s council for young professionals, and co-chaired the Empowered Women Network with Jennifer Aston-Abbott of The Human Element. Brian also chaired the Small Business Council for the second year in a row, and SchlickArt even won the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award at the 2021 Annual Awards & Installation Gala, which we were incredibly humbled to receive. 

While the Chamber kept us busy with the business community, we didn’t miss a chance to roll up our sleeves and get involved with the nonprofit community, as well. In fact, the whole team got involved this year! Lindsay and Brian sponsored the Bras for a Cause event as volunteer photographers, and for the first year ever … Lindsay walked the runway in her very own Paris-themed bra! The whole team showed up to support, and Lindsay was thrilled to have raised $3,000 to support local families fighting cancer. In another effort to support local women and families, SchlickArt also sponsored Empowering HeArts for the 7th year in a row – except this year, the lovely Sonja photographed all 12 honorees and artists. But Logan couldn’t let the team have all the fun, so he joined Sonja on the runway for the Soroptimist Fashion Show. In our opinion, they both brought the house down. 

This year brought a new first in our nonprofit involvement, when Sonja, Kirsten and Logan co-chaired a NextSCV event with the help of their lovely council chair, Lindsay. Boo’s & Brews gathered the young professional community for a Halloween-themed costume party and event that featured three incredible speakers as they shared their insights into “Getting Over Your Fears In Business.” Co-chairing an event was a first for all three SchlickArt team members, and they pulled out all the stops to make sure it was fun, educational and inspiring. 

The SchlickArt team didn’t just stop at nonprofit events. They also got involved in networking groups throughout the community. While Logan joined his first networking group with the Santa Clarita Power Team at Pinot’s Palette, Sonja worked with friends to start a new chapter of the TEAM Referral Network here in Santa Clarita. In the meantime, Lindsay continued with Business Connections and completed a second year with her local Lean In chapter, headed up by Jennifer Abbott-Aston and Jenny Ketchepaw. 

Whether they got involved with efforts to support local businesses, women or families, everyone at SchlickArt was incredibly grateful to play a role in supporting Santa Clarita’s nonprofits this year, especially when we could do so as a team. 

SchlickArt: At Home

While we work hard at SchlickArt, we also know how to play hard, and we definitely celebrated some personal wins this year. Lindsay and Brian got back to traveling whenever it was safe to do so. Some of their favorite trips included a visit with Brian and Lindsay Koegle in Texas, a trip to Paso Robles with John and Ivan, and a stay in Bodega Bay to celebrate Brian’s parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. They also celebrated Brian’s 45th birthday in style with a trip to Monterey aboard JetSuite for the perfect relaxing getaway. 

The team also joined in on the fun. Sonja and her husband, Henry, finally got their timeshare in Cabo, so they could safely travel throughout the pandemic. No matter what was going on in the world, Henry and Sonja always found joy in watching their boys make memories that will last a lifetime. Kirsten and her husband, Perry, also enjoyed some travel as they took weekend getaways up and down the coast of California. Most importantly, Kirsten was grateful to have the chance to celebrate her sister’s wedding and stand next to the bride as her Maid of Honor, after a year of delays and time spent apart. Logan also cherished his relationships this year, as he made countless new friendships throughout the community. In fact, we really won him over because, just this past month, Logan decided to move from Burbank and call Santa Clarita home. 

Whether we were creating a charity photography exhibit, making marketing videos, or simply enjoying the fruits of our labor, the SchlickArt team took this year to find joy in the everyday … and savor those special milestones that we were so grateful to get back in 2021. 

But most importantly, we want you to know we’re grateful for you. Thank you for inviting us to be a part of your milestones and memories this year. It means the world to us, and we can’t wait to create more incredible moments with you in 2022. Until next year!

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.