PHOTOGRAPHER
Emmalee Rathsam, CPP
We all have a different story to tell. We come from different walks of life and have different experiences to share. What I love most about my job is watching your unique story unfold before my lens.
I believe the process of capturing your uniqueness should be fun. It's why I enjoy making it a collaborative process and it's why I like to get to know who you are before pressing the shutter.
Curiosity is where my passion for photography began. Standing in the dark room, waiting and watching stories unfold in a pool of chemicals fascinated me, and I've been addicted to the art of photographic storytelling and image making ever since.
That's my story, what's yours?
Check out some of my work, see the behind the scenes photos below or give me a shout — I look forward to learning more about you and having what will no doubt be a fun time capturing what makes you, well, you.
Emmalee Rathsam, CPP | Photographer & Owner
The History
Emmalee Rathsam Photography is a portrait studio located in Kansas City, Missouri. The business, Schaumburg Photography, was first started in 2005 in my home. Seven years later, I opened the doors to my first brick-and-mortar studio, located at 613 N. 2nd Street in North Lawrence. Two years later, in 2014, a beautiful historic building became available a few blocks away and I moved the studio to it’s third location, 500 Locust Street, Lawrence, Kansas.
After getting married and moving to the Lenexa area in 2023, it was time to move the studio and change the name of the business to Emmalee Rathsam Photography. At the end of 2024, I opened the doors to Emmalee Rathsam Photography located on the second floor of the Zhou B Art Center at 1801 E. 18th, Kansas City, Missouri in the heart of the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District. This location has given me the opportunity to immerse myself in Kansas City’s art scene and focus more on fine art photography and creative portraiture. The building has 40 resident artists and an exhbition space. This side of my business can be viewed at www.emmaleerathsam.com.