The photographs of your family, your wedding, your children, and other important events can be a treasure of intensely memorable feelings and a joy to revisit throughout your life - but only if your photographer has the talent and skill to focus, shoot and capture those defining moments. While many people immediately think of newborn babies and weddings, a professional photographer can preserve any memory that is important to you. Many parents have photographs created at different stages in their child’s development, creating a "portrait history." Graduation, religious ceremonies, family reunions, pet portraits, birthdays and anniversaries are some of the reasons people hire a professional photographer. Businesses, large and small, use professional images to advertise their products - whether in print, broadcast, catalogs or direct mail. Other business needs include executive portraits and press release photos. Membership in a professional association http://www.ppa.com, certification or a photography degree shows a certain level of commitment to the profession. These types of credentials can help you determine which photographer is right for you. Every day professionals help record the most important moments in life. And while every situation brings new challenges - you can be assured that the professional has the creativity and skills to deliver the best possible images for you. The images created by professional photographers touch every aspect of your life and give you a beautiful way to preserve those memories.

• With nearly 20 years experience of living and photographing at the beach, Certified Professional Photographer David Koster provides you with the skills, patience, knowledge, and training to create a custom photographic piece of art you will truly treasure.
• We create quality portraiture all year long, in color or black and white, from finished prints and cards, to fine-art canvas wall portraits.
• We offer a wide selection of popular contemporary, and traditional, products, displays, and framing.
• Families get the very best portrait session. Our approach helps you relax, and enjoy the experience.
• We work quickly to create a large variety of images for your selections.
• There are many options and locations for your portrait including the beach, golf course, home, backyard, porch, boat, studio or someplace special to you.
• We know the best areas for photography, and the best times of day for each area under varying weather conditions.
• We use advanced satellite and radar monitoring of the weather to assure your window of opportunity for your best portrait session.
• We are licensed, and insured and have the required beach photography permits.
• We are members of many chambers of commerce, professional photography organizations and the Better Business Bureau where we are well known in the community with a good reputation.
• You will be able to preview and select your portraits the following day in our state of the art studio.
• David Koster is schooled in photography, and the only experienced Certified Professional Photographer located at the Beach in Southern Delaware.
• Mr. Koster's training and experience guarantees you will be satisfied, and you won't get better photography anywhere else.
• Your satisfaction with our work is fully guaranteed for memories that you will treasure for a lifetime.

PPA Certified: http://www.ppa.com/findaphotographer A Symbol You Can Trust When you hire a photographer, you want the best. Unfortunately, anyone can claim to be a professional photographer - so ensuring that you get the best photographer for the job can be a difficult task. To make it easier for you to find a truly professional photographer, Professional Photographers of America offers the PPA Certified program. As the leading certifying agency and association for imaging professionals, PPA’s Certification program is recognized throughout the industry as a sign of excellence. When you see a photographer displaying the PPA Certified seal, you can be assured that he or she is among the less than 3% of all imaging professionals who have successfully completed and maintained our requirements. What is PPA Certified? PPA Certified is a designation granted by Professional Photographers of America, the world’s leading certification agency of, and largest Association for, imaging professionals. Those who have earned PPA Certification have passed a comprehensive written examination measuring their technical expertise, and have successfully submitted their work to a panel of judges for review and approval. Every five years, a PPA Certified must renew his or her credentials by participating in continuing education programs and periodically submitting work for critical evaluation. This helps assure you that PPA Certified photographers maintain their level of expertise and continue to develop new skills and techniques. Your Assurance of Quality Every day PPA Certified professionals help record the most important moments in life. And while every situation brings new challenges - you can be assured that the PPA Certified professional has the creativity and skills to deliver the best possible images for you. Whether you’re looking for a wedding, portrait, commercial or electronic imager - or even someone to restore precious photographs to their original condition, there is a PPA Certified professional who can meet your needs. Be assured that whenever you enter a studio that displays the PPA Certified http://www.certifiedphotographer.com emblem, you will be dealing with a professional who is dedicated to providing you with the highest level of professionalism and expertise available.

A Local Photographer has more experience with the area including locations, conditions, traffic, recommendations and other what if situations. His studio is also nearby for extra equipment and supplies. Viewing and ordering can be quick and easy while you are still in town. You won’t have to wonder how your portraits turned out. According to the Small Business, 60% of the profits from locally-owned businesses stay right here to help keep our beach communities strong. David Koster is the only Certified Professional Photographer located at the beach in Delaware. His children go to school nearby and he has family at the beach too. He is also a member of all the area Chamber of Commerce’s with a good reputation in the community. Don’t worry, he is here to stay and help you.

Make your appointment for the first day that your entire group will be available. It is nice to have everyone's portrait taken before they get sun burned. This may also allow for backup days due to weather or other reasons, if the photographer is still available. Your portrait session may take up to an hour. Try to schedule your photo session during the beginning of your vacation so that we may view your images together before you leave town. Please send your agreement/release form  and session fee as soon as possible, before your date is taken. Contact us for availability first.

You can be photographed any time of day, but everyone will look better in the later part of the day. We usually start within two hours before sunset. This is usually the best light of the day. You will also squint less and reduce shadows at this time. Each day and moment will have its own colors, lighting and shadows. The exact time will vary according to the time of year, weather, and clouds in the sky. Cloudy days give nice, soft lighting and allow more time of the day to photograph. We usually get in touch on the afternoon on the day of your session to determine an exact time after we look at the current satellite and radar images to work around the weather. Please keep your schedule open for time changes due to weather and lighting conditions.

Your session will usually take about 30-90 minutes, depending on everyone's cooperation, size of the group, and weather conditions. We may have to wait for the right light as the sun is setting. Make sure everyone (especially the children) has had a good nap and eat dinner or at least a good snack before your session. You may save desert for a reward after the session. They will look much happier.

Images are usually available to view the next day in our studio. We have appointments so you will have the studio without interruptions. You may place your order at this time where we will project your images on the wall in different sizes so you can see in full detail what looks best for you. This will also help us determine the best expressions for each pose. The photographer is also there to give suggestions and help with the possibilities. Most families take up to two hours viewing their images and deciding their order. It may be helpful to make arrangements for small children that might become restless and distracting. Kids Cottage http://www.kidscottage.com/ is right down across the highway. Please make sure all the decision makers will be there to place their order together at the same time to help each other decide.

Similar styles and colors look the best. You can also coordinate colors to match where you will hang your portrait at home. Try to keep it simple. View the portrait gallery http://www.photosinthesand.com/gallery/ for some ideas. You will see styles you like and dislike. Different people have different taste. Solid colors, khakis, denim, light or pastel, earth tones, blue, white, and tan look very appealing in a natural environment. White shirts may be the easiest to match in a larger family. Light and white fabric may be more "see through" with the sunlight and flash. Wear only high quality tight woven fabric. Avoid sleeveless tops, long sleeves and pants are preferable and more pleasing in a portrait. These will also help if the biting bugs are blowing our way. Button up and V neck shirts look very flattering as opposed to a swoop neck that can add weight to your look in a portrait. Longer dresses with a slip can also be nice for some girls. Avoid patterns, they are distracting as well. Dress to your personality. Please take time in deciding and coordinating your attire, if you do not like your outfit you may not be happy with your portrait. Keep your makeup light, and don't overdo it. Gentlemen should wear a brown or dark belt with their shirt tucked in and have had a recent shave. If shoes must be worn, brown looks best. Khaki pants with a light blue button up shirt are most preferable. You want to look a people’s faces and expressions in your portrait by blending in with your surroundings and not to be distracted by mismatched or out of place clothing choices. Contrast can also add weight to you in a portrait, so blend in together.

It is very casual in the sand. Shoes are up to you. Most people take them off. If shoes must be worn, brown looks best.

These items can cause glare and distortion. If you prefer to have glasses in your portrait, have the lenses removed from them or from an extra pair. Touch ups will cost extra if there is too much glare. Your eyes may appear as big white spots. Transitioning glasses will darken and distract from the face. Try to keep your jewelry to a minimum. It can be distracting as well. Remove your sunglasses well before you head to the beach. Your eyes need time to adjust to minimize squinting.

It is usually breezy on the beach. Your hair may not stay perfect. Hairspray will help. You may also tie your hair back if it is too windy. Visit a local salon before your session. Make sure the guys have a recent shave and trim. A five o'clock shadow cannot be touched up.

We use advanced satellite and radar monitoring of the weather to assure your window of opportunity. It rarely rains the whole day. We get beautiful portraits on cloudy days when the lighting is very soft, similar to a studio setup. You will squint less and the shadows won’t be as harsh. Most people prefer their expressions on a cloudier day. We can still photograph in a light rain, drizzle, misty, and foggy conditions but can usually time it between showers. If you are real lucky, a rainbow may appear in your background. We usually photograph about an hour before sunset on sunny days. If it is cloudy or rainy, your session may be earlier depending on the weather. We are determined and experienced to give you the best portrait during the best conditions of the day. Sunrise is also an alternative if the weather does not cooperate. Please leave your day open for schedule changes if necessary. There are options. If we have the next day available, we will gladly reschedule or we may be able to photograph before an already scheduled session. As a last resort, we could even do something inside. It is a good idea to book your session early in your stay, just in case.

You usually have more than enough usable images to choose from. More often people don’t know what to do with all the good shots. Besides hanging them on your wall, albums and image box collections are a popular choice. Some people want the best expression of everyone at the exact same time. Our digital artist can switch eyes, heads or even bodies to help. You won’t even notice anything out of place. We can break down into smaller groups and individuals if time and light allow. If you have any ideas or particular poses in mind, I will be more than happy to accommodate. We usually photograph the whole family together, individual families, couples, individuals, parents, children, grandchildren, siblings and a few senior poses all included during your session. If we are just photographing an individual family or children only, there will be more variety and selections to choose from.

We usually use one of the state park beaches as a background and can meet in the parking lot next to a beach entrance. The best spot may be determined by weather conditions, your location and the traffic that day. If you want to meet at an easy to find area, you can meet me at the parking lot beside the Rehoboth Beach- Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce Railroad Station Visitor’s Center. 501 Rehoboth Avenue Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. http://www.mapquest.com/maps It’s next to the light house in the circle on Rehoboth Ave. and Columbia Ave. if you are in town. There is Grove Park and the Rehoboth Beach Museum there too. Royal Farm is across one side of the street and a 7 Eleven is across the other side. Then you can follow me up to a great spot on the beach or I can meet you at your favorite spot. I drive a Pewter GMC Yukon Denali XL with "Portraits In The Sand" displayed on the sides and back of the truck. If you get lost or are running late, please call Dave’s cell phone 302-841-7303.

We can only go by the sand dunes in designated areas. Possible locations may include some dune fence and grass or a rock jetty. We never walk on the dunes or grass, we carefully pose in front of them. The State of Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control have granted a special permit to Portraits In The Sand for our portraits. The dune line is very fragile and provides habitat for many species, including some that are endangered. Beach grass helps build and stabilize the dunes. Walking on or near beach grass can damage its brittle stalks and root system. We need the dunes for everyone to enjoy as their background. Also, without the dunes, the ocean would soon erode through many properties and even the highway. Sand dunes are essential for protection against damaging coastal storms. When sand dunes are destroyed, storm waves can rush inland, flood properties and put lives at risk. Stabilized dunes absorb wave energy and act as major sand storage areas which replenish sand to eroded beaches during a storm. Beach grass helps to build and stabilize dunes by trapping windblown sand. As the grass traps the sand, it builds the dune higher and wider, which makes it more protective of the structures behind it.

If we use one of these locations for your portrait, there is a State Park daily entrance fee http://www.destateparks.com/fee of $4 for vehicles with DE tags and $8 for out of state vehicles. Car pool if you can and please use the self pay envelope at the entrance booth if the attendant is not there. Rangers do check vehicles and will leave you a ticket if you don’t display your receipt. You might want to visit any of the seashore state park areas earlier in the day since you pass is good for the whole day at any of these park locations.

Many families choose to have their portrait taken in a more convenient or favorite location. http://www.portraitsinthesand.com/portrait-photo-gallery/portraits There are many options and locations for your portrait including the beach, golf course, home, backyard, porch, boat, studio or someplace special to you. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Portraits-In-The-Sand-Photography (Travel outside the beach area is extra. Usually $1 per mile plus meals and accommodations.) We can accommodate most reasonable requests.

Research shows that approximately 20 percent of the population has a disability of some kind. Understanding the challenges is fundamental to a successful portrait and with the education and skills it can be a positive experience for everyone involved. The key to success is to understand your subject along with experience, persistence, patience, talent and skills. There are also easier locations to photograph, along with wheel chair accessibility. Parents of children with special needs know that even day-to-day activities require effort that most people don't realize and often hesitate at the thought of a professional portrait session. David Koster CPP of Portraits In The Sand has recently achieved the SKPA full accreditation. Special Kids Photography of America http://www.specialkidsphotography.com is a program of compassion and excellence to benefit families of special children. We have taken steps to familiarize ourselves with the differing needs of people with special needs and their families. Portraits In The Sand is there to help them from the first step and honored to work with some very special people.

Bring your best smile:) You may also bring your child's favorite toy or stuffed animal friend. You should even bring a toy and some treats for your pet too. If you are having a longer session, you can bring a family heirloom, vehicle, props, a favorite item from a hobby, vehicle, boat, motorcycle, sand bucket and toys, sports equipment, extra outfits, hats, shoes, or bathing suits.

Orders should be placed by the end of October. It may take up to 60 days or so to complete your custom order. We can rush orders, but it may require an additional fee. Most people order all their gifts and cards at the viewing session the day after their portrait session.

Sorry, no other cameras are allowed to be used during the session. The photographer has spent many years of time and training in order to provide you with a great portrait. You will have plenty of great images to choose from. His camera and equipment are top of the line. The subjects also need to have their full attention on the photographer, not distracted by other snap shooters to have their head or eyes turned in the wrong direction. This can also waste a lot of time, which is limited, as the sun is setting. We do offer a session where you may use your own camera for an extra price.

The flies and gnats can be bad sometimes. They bite too. Usually on a warm humid day with a westerly wind they are the worst. Wear some good insect repellent and long sleeves and pants will help also.

Some people really have some fun pictures at the end of their session playing in the water. Don’t forget to bring a change of clothes and an extra towel.

We offer different finishes and sizes for different tastes and budgets. There are wallet sizes and holiday cards, wall portraits up to 100 inches on canvas gallery wraps and everything in between.  Most of the Images are printed on Kodak’s finest photographic paper (not ink jets) with a protective coating and mounted on a matt board for proper display. Enhancements and toning are done to each of these custom prints. 8”x10” prints start at $99 with wall sizes starting around $500. Wall sizes are usually on a canvas or fine art paper mounted to a hard masonite board and include extra touchups including blemishes, wrinkles, waistlines and necklines. Most families choose a wall portrait as a focal point in their living room area, accented with smaller prints of different poses and groupings around the room and for other areas of their home and office spending between $500 and a few thousand dollars for each individual family for their order. Payment is due at the time the order is placed. We accept cash, checks, credit cards and payment plans. A fine portrait will also make a lasting and enduring gift for yourself, your family, and generations to come. Remember, there is no sales tax in Delaware yet. We offer a satisfaction guaranteed backed up with the skills, knowledge, experience, reputation, and credentials to provide you with a portrait you will love. *Please call or schedule a visit to our studio for specific pricing and samples of these fine pieces.

Your family is the most important thing in the world according to Psychologists. We should display them as the largest image in the room to show them their importance, even larger than your television screen. This also builds self esteem for children as they grow up and helps to bond the family together. Another photographer was doing an informal survey of families and divorce rates. He discovered that families with their wall portrait displayed in a living area had the lowest amount of separation. A properly sized portrait can be most enjoyed where you can see everyone’s faces and expressions from anywhere in the room, just like we hang a clock on the wall and not a wrist watch. This most prized possession will be enjoyed for generations to come.

The depth and brilliance of a canvas print is wonderful. This print reflects light in different directions as opposed to a regular flat print giving it more of a three dimensional appearance and reduced glare. It does not look like a painting, it is a photograph. The print is adhered to the canvas material under hundreds of pounds of pressure. Then it is mounted to a masonite, hard board for extra durability. Finally, an extra spray is added for more protection. The only thing left to do is to frame the portrait. Glass is not recommended. Most people have their portraits canvassed if they will be hanging it on their wall. Some people really have some fun pictures at the end of their session playing in the water. Don’t forget to bring a change of clothes and a towel.

has many more layers and steps involved than our standard canvas. Your unique wall portrait is finished meticulously with artwork to enhance your portrait. There is so much more depth and dimension that this piece stands out far beyond anything else. You really have to see this one. Experience the ultimate in print finishing. You will be justly proud of this investment of your family’s pictorial mural. It is indeed the heirloom to be admired for generations and will become more valuable each day. This is truly one of  the finest canvas product in the world and an investment your family will always cherish. Order this one today!