Hey there, milspouse photographer! If you’re preparing for an assignment at Dover AFB, then this location guide is for you. Megan Acosta has since moved, but has lots of insight to share in this Dover, DE Photography Spotlight!

What are your top three favorite locations for sessions? Briefly share about each.

Delaware Beaches

Beaches are highly-desirable for photos in Delaware, so you’ll want to get familiar with winds, tides, flies, and horseshoe crabs!

My favorite beach to shoot at is Bowers Beach because it is close to the base. Bowers Beach and Slaughter Beach are both pretty private and not generally deemed “swimming beaches,” but great for photos. Bowers is a smaller beach that is really close to the installation and also has some interesting fields on the way to the beach that you can explore.

Killens Pond State Park

I also love to photograph at Killens Pond State Park. You can get a Military State Park Pass for free if you have a Delaware license and at a discount if you have an out-of-state license as far as I remember. It has a gorgeous little lake and great fall foliage.

Dover AFB Flight Line

The flight line is amazing for photos! You’ll need a flight line escort and whomever your escort is can generally talk to the appropriate folks about what airplanes are available/okay to photograph whatever day you are planning. It does take some forethought though, you can’t just pop out there!

Are there any particularly busy seasons for photographers in this area? Any events an incoming photographer should know about?

Just your typical spring and fall in my opinion! The beaches are pretty packed and HOT in the summer. Squadrons typically start trying to put flight line photo events together in the spring, so reach out to those squadron key spouses if you are interested in helping and gaining some new clientele.

What should an incoming photographer know about permits in this area?

You’ll need a photography business license, but the only places I can think of that require permits are the state parks (just for entrance) and places like the Winterthur Gardens. Flight line photos require an escort and light planning, but every pilot I ever worked with did that backend for me because they knew who to ask!

What is the biggest piece of advice you’d give to an incoming photographer?

Join the Dover AFB spouses page and watch for people asking for photographers, it is very active! You can also ask the flying squadrons if they need photographers for flight-line photos to build your clientele!

Where can other milspouse photographers connect with you?

Website: https://www.meganleighacosta.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/meganleighacosta

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Are you a milspouse photographer interested in contributing? I’d love to have your insight! Please send me an email at erin@erinthompsonphoto.com and I’ll be in touch with the details!

If you enjoyed this Dover, DE photography spotlight, be sure to check out other featured location guides and tips for moving your business!