Dramatic Memories

Congratulations John and Neva!!

2009-12-10T14:17:00.002-06:00

John and Neva, thanks for letting me share some special moments of your love! I know God will bless you and your lives together! Can't wait to share the rest of the photographs with you soon. Merry Christmas! -Linda

Christmas Photography Give-a-Way!!

2009-11-24T13:38:00.004-06:00

Scott and I want to be Santa for one deserving family or individual this Christmas! Help us decide who! You know someone. You know someone who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

We want to know who they are, and Dramatic Memories (Scott and I) want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography -- $500 worth, to be exact. Whether it's canvas or albums, prints for Grandma, or a slideshow to watch over and over, it's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $100 print credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside in central Iowa. Tell me who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well (e-mail and phone numbers please).

* You must e-mail us the full story to linda@DramaticMemories.com by December 22, 2009.

* The winner will be determined by Scott and Linda Rathje (Dramatic Memories).

The winner will be announced via e-mail and by a phone call on Christmas Eve -- get nominating! We can't wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season -- and thanks for giving us the opportunity to open ours.

With love and Merry Christmas,

Linda Rathje, Dramatic Memories
www.DramaticMemories.com
515-460-5304

Michael and Friends!

2009-10-29T12:58:00.002-05:00

What a fun time! You guys are so cool. I can't wait until you cut your first album. I would love to shoot your album cover! Thanks for the help holding the light when we were outside too, guys. Michael, look forward to showing you the rest soon. -linda

Lehmann Family!

2009-10-21T22:12:00.002-05:00

Hey guys! Great to meet you all, even if we had to do a "studio session" instead of outside. It just always seems to be raining. You guys are a wonder family. It was a pleasure to do your family portraits. Can't wait to show you the rest next week! Cheers, Linda

big girl Grace!

2009-10-16T12:35:00.002-05:00

Grace, you're getting so BIG! This was the last session of your "First Year Baby Plan" and it has been fun!! Here is short trip down Memory Lane. Hope to see you again soon! -Linda

Marcus!

2009-09-25T11:23:00.003-05:00

Marcus, we really enjoyed doing your senior pictures. What a lovely night at the park. Your session went very smoothly. I only have one to show you now, but the others look very cool and I can't wait to show them to you. See you soon.

Dani!

2009-09-17T21:36:00.003-05:00

We had the most beautiful night ever for Dani's senior shoot this week. You are so "lay-back", Dani, we love you! Your natural beauty shines through. Looking forward to showing you the rest of your images. Have you mom call for that appointment! -scott and linda

Grace!

2009-09-04T10:46:00.002-05:00

What a classically beautiful face! Grace, it was a joy to take your senior portraits last night. I know you are an actress and musician and so I hope I was able to capture a bit of that for you. Looking forward to showing you the rest. Have a good Labor Day weekend! -linda

Kali!

2009-09-03T13:54:00.003-05:00

Kali, hope you enjoyed your "personal photo-shoot". You were brave getting in that lake last night. I love those images...but wanted to be there when you saw them. We had fun in the flowers (really cute), on the tracks and with the bike too. Here are two shots to show you today. See you in a few weeks to see the rest! Have a nice Labor Day weekend. scott and linda

Lindsay Olsen!

2009-09-02T16:29:00.003-05:00

Linday, you were so much fun last night. The weather was beautiful and so were you! Here are two samples from our session. The indoor and soccer one's are very cool, but I want to leave some for when you come next week. Enjoy! -linda

Bryanne!

2009-08-13T01:51:00.002-05:00

Bryanne, it was so much fun doing your pictures! You've got your mother's twinkle in your eyes and beautiful smile. You hair is so easy to work with...love it! I'm glad your dad came too and I know Scott liked having another man on the shoot with us. Hope you like this one, I sure do. Looking forward to showing you all of them! -linda

Dunshee Family!

2009-08-10T20:22:00.004-05:00

What a wonderful family! Guys, now we know what it might be like having a photo shoot in a rain forest. Saturday evening was crazy humid. Every few minutes I was wiping off my lens. But, what I beautiful spot Scott discovered! Worth the hike, right! Your sweet dog, "Crazy" looks so good too. I'm saving the family shots for our proofing session, but I like this one too. There's lots to show you! Thanks for the chance to get to know your great family. Good luck finding a job Jake, have fun back at U of Iowa Kate and good grace for the year in Korea, Kelsey!
-scott and linda

Mitch!

2009-08-08T12:59:00.002-05:00

Mitch, what fun working with you...you are amazing! You are so creative. I can't wait to work on the rest of your images. See you soon. -linda

Anna!

2009-08-05T09:38:00.002-05:00

Anna, I think you win the prize for driving the farthest! Just because your mom has been one of my best friends since college didn't mean you had to come all the way from Colorado to have Dramatic Memories do your senior pictures...but I'm glad you did!! Hope you enjoy them. Here are two fun ones to hold you over until you can see the rest. Enjoy the rest of your trip and give your grandparents big hugs from me! -linda

Jessica!

2009-08-05T09:26:00.002-05:00

Jessica, I'm so excited you choose us to do your senior pictures! Thanks for driving up from Johnston. I know you are an artist and I love trying to express a person's love of the arts in photography. Here are a few images from Monday night's shoot. Hope you like the one in the field...thanks for working with me on this one! See you and your parents soon to pick out your favorites. -linda

Two Beauties!

2009-07-31T15:43:00.003-05:00

Sarah, thanks so much for bringing your beautiful children to me today! I always pray before each photo shoot that I can capture a little bit of children's personalities when we are together. This morning took patience, but I think we were blessed and have created some works of art with your children being the stars! Looking forward to looking at the rest together! -linda

Clay!

2009-07-31T12:02:00.003-05:00

Clay, it was so fun to do your senior pictures! Thanks for bringing Heather along too. As you can tell from this "teazer" image, she added a lot to the shots she was in. I love so many of your images, it will be hard to choose. But, for now, I hope this one of both of you will hold you over. Can't wait to show the rest to you. Heather, wishing you all the best as you compete in a few weeks at the State Fair. If I was betting, I would bet it all on YOU to be the next State Fair Queen! -linda

Nicki!

2009-07-16T22:26:00.002-05:00

I sure had fun helping you pick out all your prints and package for your senior pictures tonight. You have a neat family...how nice to have a brother that wants an 8x10 of his sister! I'll remember this black and white by the wall of you, when Tyra calls about my suggestions for the next America's Next Top Model! You are beautiful! See you in a few weeks. -linda

Kels!

2009-07-16T22:20:00.003-05:00

Kels, you are going to go places, my friend...and I don't mean just with basketball, but in life. What a great guy. Thanks for letting us do your senior pictures! -linda

Megan!!

2009-07-15T13:21:00.002-05:00

Monday was the best weather ever to shoot senior portraits! Megan, you and your mom were so much fun. You are such a natural beauty. Thanks to my wonderful husband for finding this perfect location too! Here is a "teaser" image from that shoot. See you when you come in to see them all! -linda

Lindsay!

2009-07-02T23:39:00.004-05:00

Last night was a blast! We were on the basketball court trying shots that I'd never tried before and boy did they turn out cool! Sorry, Lindsay, you'll have to wait for most of these. I'll have a suprise for you when you come to see your proofs! I love this "fun hat" shot - you may be living in the wrong era! I did want to show you one from the court, though. I love how you look here, tough yet beautiful. Hope you like them. Thanks, Lindsay and Christine for choosing us to do your senior portraits. Have a great 4th of July weekend. -linda and scott

Weddings!!

2009-07-01T09:12:00.003-05:00

I wanted to update you on my weddings! The end of May I had the joy of photographing a very fun couple, Billy and Amy Harrison from Nevada. They were blessed with a sunny day on the lake at Hickory Grove Park. I shot this quiet moment after the service was over and all the guests had left for the reception. What a cool couple. Scott and I loved spending the day with you and wish you all the best! This other wedding shot was taken while I studied at the Mid America Institute for Professional Photographers in June (just a few weeks ago). I always learn so much at these schools! If you're getting married, please keep us in mind for your wedding!

Kayla!!

2009-06-30T23:07:00.003-05:00

Scott and I had a wonderful time shooting Kayla's senior pix last night. She is beautiful and has the most amazing blue eyes I have ever seen! Kayla, I love your mom too - Missy, thanks for helping carry things and for your great laugh and smile!We had a blast with you two. Here are two fun teezer shots. There are lots of neat images from the flower field and barn, but you'll have to wait to see them!! See you in a few weeks. Tell your friends to call me pretty soon if they want in with us this summer. Tell Ana "hi" for us too. -linda

Charlie is a sweetie!!

2009-06-10T17:52:00.002-05:00

I had the joy of starting a one year relationship with this gorgeous yound man. This mom, Jenny, joined our "bellies and babies" one year plan, so I'll get to see little Charlie grow big!! They were both so fun. Thanks Jenny and Charlie! See you next week when you see the rest of the photo shoot!

Congratulations Elaina (my sweet daughter)!!

2009-05-28T21:57:00.002-05:00

Elaina, I'm so proud of you. You have been such a joy to have(after 2 boys)another GIRL in the family! You are finally all grown up, graduating from high school, starting college and moving into your own apartment. Wow! I'm going to miss you so... much. I know, you'll only be across town, but please call me often:) I'll be praying for you everyday. love, mom

Best of luck, Hannah!!

2009-05-28T21:51:00.002-05:00

Hannah, Thanks so much for letting me hang out with you and take your senior pictures. I don't know if you do this in Germany, but it is really
BIG here in Iowa. I wanted to wish you all the best in the future and if you decide to return to Iowa, please come see us!! -linda

My first senior of the 2010 season!!

2009-05-26T21:31:00.004-05:00

Samantha, you are so beautiful and fun to work with (Nick's not a slouch either!). I had a blast in the woods, flowers and finding some pretty cool places for shooting with you two. Thanks for being my first senior for this summer season. Can't wait to show you the rest on Thursday. These are just teasers. Enjoy!

Baby Sarah is Rocking at just 4 months!

2009-02-26T13:23:00.005-06:00

I had the joy of hanging out with little Sarah and her mom photographing this angel a few days ago. She will probably become a Covergirl model someday, so watch for her! Thanks guys!

JV/Black Cheer Pix!!

2009-02-12T22:47:00.003-06:00

More Super Ames High Cheerleaders!!

2009-02-12T22:19:00.000-06:00

I had another really fun time at Ames High cheer practice with some more great girls. They were fun to shoot and had lots of cool ideas. All of these pictures and more will be up on our website to buy by early next week. Thanks, Shari, for letting me play with your "girls". I hope they had as much fun as I did. I hope you're all feeling better ladies. Stay healthy! www.DramaticeMemories.com

Ames High Cheerleaders ROCK!!

2009-02-06T10:23:00.000-06:00

Hi! Welcome to my first blog ever!! I had a photo shoot last week with the coolest girls! I shot 3 groups of Ames High Cheerleaders and I had the best time. I'll have the whole shoot up on line this weekend or by Monday but wanted to share a few of my favorites now. I heard some of the groups I did not get a chance to shoot are sick so I'll do their shoot next week or as soon as they're all feeling well again. So...get well soon ladies. You ROCK! our website is www.DramaticMemories.com.