In 1976 Barend Houtsmuller discovered photography as his way of expression. After his education at the IAC in Haarlem he receives a grant form the New York Center of Photography and the Prince Bernhard Foundation to go to the Venice Festival and workshops of the International Center of Photography. He studied with Ansel Adams, Nathan Lions, Duane Michals and Christian Vogt In 1980 he returned to the Netherlands and with 11 photographers, he founded Perspektief, gallery & magazine in Rotterdam. Most of his work is commissioned. As a free lance photographer, Houtsmuller works for may private clients, different Maginzes, E-zines, & Newspapers. He is member of the Dupho and chairman of Photo020. Work of him has been published by Bert Bakker (NL) and Feierabend Verlag (DE) He is represented by various Galleries in the Netherlands.