Close-up of two people holding hands; one person's hand with a ring resting on the other person's thigh.

Authentic, Documentary-Style Photography for Those Important and Real Moments.

Multi-Winner of Metro Philadelphia’s Best Photographer

Hi, I’m Dan Barends, nice to meet you!

Whether you're planning an unscripted wedding celebration in an industrial Philly loft, updating your professional profile, or capturing a live corporate or private event, get a veteran eye behind the lens without the typical industry runaround.

Let's Schedule A Photoshoot

Photography I offer

A bride in a white wedding gown sitting on a cushioned bench in front of a rustic brick wall, holding a colorful bouquet of flowers, with a large mirror nearby reflecting a window.

Weddings & Engagements

Let’s turn your engagement or wedding into a joyful, laughter-filled photo adventure. Book your session now and let’s create stunning memories together!

Starts at $4,100

A woman with long red hair smiling outdoors in a green dress with a V-neckline in a park setting with trees and grass.

Portraits & Headshots

Ready to celebrate yourself or your loved ones? From grads to headshots to family portrait sessions, let’s pick the perfect spot and capture you at your best. Schedule your photo shoot today!

Starts at $175/hr

A sports mascot dressed as a maroon-colored animal, possibly a bobcat, stands in front of a marching band with many sousaphones. The mascot has yellow eyes, a large nose, and a maroon mouth, and is wearing a maroon sports jersey with white accents. The marching band members are dressed in maroon and white uniforms with the word 'TEMPLE' on their backs, and some are playing brass instruments. The scene appears to be a parade or school event, with a stadium and crowd in the background.

Starts at $150/hr

Events

Throwing a party, gala, or big event? Invite me to capture all the excitement and candid moments. I can’t wait to capture your celebrations!

Let's Do This!

A little about me

Dan Barends holds camera in front of face

Dan Barends Photography is a local Philadelphia Wedding, Portrait & Headshot, and Event Photography business focused on creating great experiences for clients. Looking for a professional photographer to bring your special moments to life? Connect with me today!

Learn more about Dan

Let’s create some memories, together!

Ready to capture your special moments? Check your date availability and view transparent pricing and schedule a personalized photography session with me today. Let's create memories you'll cherish forever.

For wedding clients: I will send you my scheduling platform to book a 30-minute video call to go over details.

A black and white photo of a couple hugging and smiling in a park with autumn leaves on the ground, trees, and tall buildings in the background.

Dan is a great photographer, really easy to work with, extremely professional and sincerely kind.

Timmy Mac

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the top questions I get about my photography services.

I Have Another Question!

  • I offer wedding and engagement photography, headshots, and event photography services. For weddings and engagements, offer a bundle price if you do both. I also offer a discount for headshots if you bring multiple people to the photoshoot.

  • For your full gallery of finalized photos:

    Headshots: 1 week

    Family Portraits: 3 weeks

    Events: 2 week

    Engagements: 3 weeks

    Weddings: 8 weeks

  • Yes. When we have our 30-minute intro call to book your wedding date and also go over shot lists, I will make sure to take all ideas down. I love to make sure the couples I work with enjoy themselves, but also feel free to take their wedding day photos into their own hands. I am there for suggestions and guidance, but want these photos to be authentic for YOUR day. So, let’s have some fun!

  • My style is a blend of documentary storytelling and clean, editorial framing. My goal is that your photos look exactly how the moment felt in real life. I focus on natural light, genuine motion, and true-to-life colors rather than heavy overlays or passing filter trends.

  • I believe in radical transparency. Wedding collections start at $3,000, with zero hidden fees or confusing structural traps. When you're ready, you can book a direct 30-minute video call with me to walk through your venue timeline, discuss custom shot lists, and make sure we’re a great fit before signing anything.

  • Weddings move fast, especially once the reception hits and the venue lights go down. Because of my extensive live music and audio engineering background, I am entirely comfortable moving quickly in high-pressure, low-light environments without missing a beat. You get calm, adaptable execution while everyone else is stressing over the timeline.

  • Absolutely. During our pre-wedding strategy call, we will go over your ideas and must-have moments. I am there to provide professional guidance and keep the day flowing, but these are your memories—collaborating on what matters most to you is part of the process.

  • Yes! For weddings and engagements, I offer custom bundle pricing if you book both together. For portraits and corporate headshots, I also offer scaled discounts if you are bringing multiple team members or a group to the session.