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Dori Bramer ’17: Capturing Memories with Dreamy Deets

By: Katie Rodemich ’02

As the owner and founder of Dreamy Deets, Dori Bramer ’17 is a talented photographer and videographer dedicated to preserving life’s most special moments. Now offering her expertise as a day-of content creator, she captures everything from grand celebrations to intimate details. Inspired by her own wedding planning challenges in finding a local content creator, she launched her business in January 2024. Since then, Dreamy Deets has grown significantly, bringing her dream career to life and opening doors to new opportunities.

During her time at Quincy High School, Dori had an active and fulfilling experience. “I lived in A Building, I was in band, and I played clarinet. I loved playing with all of my clarinet girls. I also took mostly AP classes, so I was really busy with school, homework, and prepping for the ACT.”

One of her favorite high school memories was traveling with the QHS marching band and visiting Disney World.

“Going to Disney World was like the highlight of high school. Everyone just looked forward to it and that was by far my favorite high school memory. During winter break in my senior year, we rang in the New Year, bidding farewell to 2016 and welcoming 2017, which made it even more special. We stopped in Paducah, Kentucky, on the way, and I had Chick-fil-A for the first time in my life—it was life-changing! Other than that, I always loved homecoming week, with the dress-up days, themes, and of course, the homecoming football game was always a blast as well.”

Several teachers made a lasting impact on Dori during her time at QHS.

“Mrs. Amons holds a special place in my heart—I absolutely adore her. I had her for AP Language in my junior year. In my senior year, I was her teaching assistant. It was amazing to spend more time with her and learn from her for a second year. I was also fortunate to experience the Mr. McKinley-era in Spanish. He taught me throughout high school and college at Quincy University, where he worked as an adjunct Spanish professor while continuing to teach at the Junior High. Additionally, I enjoyed learning from Mrs. Debbie Johnson through my involvement with the QHS band. She’s not only an excellent teacher but also a cherished family friend.”

After graduating from QHS, Dori pursued a degree in marketing at Quincy University, with Spanish as a secondary focus. However, she soon realized that traditional marketing wasn’t quite what she envisioned.

“I loved learning about corporate marketing, but much of my curriculum felt outdated—it wasn’t very social media-focused. I wanted to dive deeper into that area, so I sought opportunities on my own.

“I was fortunate to begin my journey in social media marketing with Nutrition HQ, a local Quincy business. Initially, I joined on an internship basis—since they had never outsourced their social media before—which made it a new experience for both of us. I started during my junior year of college, and that opportunity made it clear—this is what I love, this is what I want to do. I still work with them today, and I owe them everything.”

Drawing on her experience as a social media freelancer, Dori ultimately founded Dreamy Deets—a day-of event content creator dedicated to capturing the essence of your special day, from grand moments to intimate details.

“I create both photos and videos tailored to the client’s vision, freeing them from the need to be on their phones during their special day. Weddings are my favorite events to cover, and I love capturing behind-the-scenes moments that allow brides, grooms, and their loved ones to fully immerse themselves in the celebration. It also relieves some of the pressure on photographers and videographers, letting them focus on their craft without the stress of capturing every candid moment.”

Beyond weddings, Dreamy Deets curates engaging content for birthday parties, gender reveals, baby showers, and other special occasions.

“I’d always done this for everyone in my life, friends and family, so it just makes sense to share that with others.”

Dori’s inspiration for Dreamy Deets stemmed from her own wedding planning experience.

“While hiring photographers and vendors for my wedding, I realized something was missing—authentic content creation that I longed to offer.  I wanted someone to take over my phone for the day and capture hundreds of behind-the-scenes moments—candid interactions with my groom, my mom, and my bridesmaids. Photographers and videographers simply can’t capture every detail, and I didn’t want my wedding party constantly stepping out of the moment to take pictures. Yet, I couldn’t find anyone offering this service in Quincy.”

Realizing a gap in the market, she decided to fill it herself.

“If I wanted this, someone else in Quincy probably did too. I needed to do it, and then, in the blink of an eye, a name came to me. Once I had the name, I instantly visualized a logo, and my creative side kicked into high gear—mapping and planning every detail. It all fell into place like clockwork. Within two days, I had set up Instagram, made the announcement, and laid the groundwork.”

Drawing from her own high school journey, Dori offers insightful advice for current students. She learned firsthand that balancing fun with academics and embracing every moment can truly transform your experience.

“Don’t take yourself too seriously. In high school, I spent so much time worrying about what others thought of me. But the truth is, no one is paying as much attention to you as you are to yourself. It’s just not worth your time to stress over things like whether you wore the same dress last week. Just get dressed and go to school! Looking back, I realize how much unnecessary energy I spent on those worries. Instead, focus on enjoying the experience. Participate in dress-up days, engage in the fun and goofy activities in your classes, and be present in the moment. I know it’s easier said than done when you’re sixteen, but trust me, those little things are what you’ll remember most.

“That said, also make sure to take your academics seriously. Your GPA and grades do matter, especially if you plan on going to college. Many schools will ask about your GPA on applications, and it plays a huge role in scholarships. If your GPA isn’t strong, it could limit your opportunities.

“Finally, get involved. Finding a sense of community made all the difference for me in high school. Being in band and other activities gave me a reason to look forward to school every day. I had friends, a group of people I connected with, and a support system. I can’t imagine going through high school without that. So, if you’re feeling lost or disconnected, look for ways to get involved—it truly changes everything.”

For more inquiries or to book Dori’s services, please visit Dori at Dreamy Deets on either Instagram @dreamydeets or on Facebook. Dori is available to travel and has worked on events in Quincy, Springfield, Illinois, and in Missouri. With a passion for storytelling and a talent for capturing genuine moments, she helps couples and families preserve their most treasured memories—one frame at a time.

As Dori explains, “I’m a busy gal, but it’s super fun and doesn’t feel like work at all. It channels my creative energy perfectly. I love taking photos for myself, my friends, and my family. I’ve always felt that there was something more I could do, something I could offer that would fulfill me in a way nothing else could.”