Photographer · Frederick, MD · reviewed since 2016
iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%100+58.7Reliability 26%99+25.8Value 15%100+15.2Experts Score= 100Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.100SCORE
AGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#5 of 201 photographersiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 98%
5.0★★★★★222 Google reviews · 24 photos
100%five-star reviews
5.00★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
0%1–2★ in 2 yearsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Google reviewers rate Brad Barnwell Photography LLC five stars based on 222 reviews, with no owner responses recorded. Clients frequently photograph weddings, engagements, family portraits, and headshots, praising the photographer for being punctual, communicative, and accommodating. Recurring themes include his ability to make subjects comfortable, particularly children, and his quick turnaround for delivering sneak peeks and final images. Reviewers also note reasonable pricing and his helpful guidance in planning sessions and selecting locations.
Google rating: 5.0 out of 5 from 222 reviews (100% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 222 Google reviews (215 with written comments, 34 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 0% of reviews.
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: satisfaction and craft & service; weakest: reliability.
This companyPhotographers median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Brad Barnwell Photography LLC: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 99.A
100
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Brad Barnwell Photography LLC: 99/100 on this factor. Category median: 99.A
99
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Brad Barnwell Photography LLC: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Brad Barnwell Photography LLC: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Brad Barnwell Photography LLC: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 62.–
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Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
222 Google reviews we collected
5.0of 5
5 stars222100%
4 stars00%
3 stars00%
2 stars00%
1 star00%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 215 written reviews
97%praise
Praise36197%
Complaints103%
PriceiGoogle asks reviewers whether the price was great, reasonable or overpriced; these are their answers.
Price verdicts customers left with their Google review
100%fair
Great price1387%
Reasonable213%
Overpriced00%
Not sure00%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Staff & attitude11130%
Would recommend9225%
Speed & response5415%
Quality & results5214%
Communication339%
Honesty & trust195%
Price & value103%
What customers talk about
We read 215 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“Brad was communicative, personable, and kind throughout the entire process.”
“We would highly recommend Brad if you’re looking for a friendly, professional, high quality photographer in the Maryland area.”
“If you're looking for someone who is not only incredibly talented but also kind, patient, and attentive to every detail, we can't recommend Brad highly enough.”
“Brad gave us sneak peaks of the full session very quickly and was also very helpful in handling our dog during our engagement shoot.”
“Brad did an excellent job for my partner and I’s engagement shoot and will be photographing our wedding next year.”
“Great communication, fast turnaround, awesome studio, photos 1000/10.”
“Every photo we've seen is crisp, vibrant, and filled with genuine life.”
“His rate is very reasonable for the incredible quality of his work and equipment.”
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Reviews for your job
Customers hired Brad Barnwell Photography LLC for 5 kinds of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.
Kade6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · Edited 6 days ago★★★★★
Brad did an excellent job for my partner and I’s engagement shoot and will be photographing our wedding next year.
Brad was communicative, personable, and kind throughout the entire process. Brad gave us sneak peaks of the full session very quickly and was also very helpful in handling our dog during our engagement…
Great priceWedding and engagement
Brian1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a week ago★★★★★
Brad is amazing at what he does and his work. We used him for our wedding and the engagement photo shoot really showed how great he is at working with anyone. He put us at ease knowing we were going to be taken of on the wedding day so we can enjoy. He knew the best spots in Downtown Frederick for pictures and open…
Hannah5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 weeks ago★★★★★
Hands down the best photographer I’ve ever experienced! Brad did my bestfriends wedding and I am blown away with the way he ran the show. Not to mention his picture sneak peeks throughout the day looked absolutely stunning. More photographers need to bring the energy he brought to the entire day and to the dance floor! OBSESSED!
Dorothy6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 4 weeks ago★★★★★
We just took extended family photos with Brad (after also working with him previously for wedding photos and baby photos) and had the best experience! The photos are fantastic; it’s very special to have these multi family and multigenerational shots. Brad was patient, flexible, positive, and so great with the kids!
Great priceFamily and group
Andrew1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 months ago★★★★★
Brad really went above and beyond to help my proposal go as smooth as possible. He is knowledgeable in his field and even took the time to scope out the location beforehand. His rate is very reasonable for the incredible quality of his work and equipment. I would highly recommend for any event or occasion, you will not be disappointed.
Reasonable priceWedding and engagement
Timothy6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 4 months ago★★★★★
Brad was fantastic to work with for our 1st family photo shoot. He was very energetic and helped keep our 7month old daughter smiling for all of our photos. Highly recommend!
Brad did an excellent job for my partner and I’s engagement shoot and will be photographing our wedding next year.
Brad was communicative, personable, and kind throughout the entire process. Brad gave us sneak peaks of the full session very quickly and was also very helpful in handling our dog during our engagement shoot.
We would highly recommend Brad if you’re looking for a friendly, professional, high quality photographer in the Maryland area.
Edit: After our wedding day I truly cannot emphasize how great it was to work with Brad. Brad did such an amazing job on our wedding day. He was prompt, had excellent communication, respectful of all of our wishes, and provided quite a few proofs not even one day after the wedding. All of our wedding party members told us how great Brad is and how impressed they were with his professionalism and skills. Choose Brad!!
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Wedding and engagement
Brian Wolfe1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews Brian has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Brad is amazing at what he does and his work. We used him for our wedding and the engagement photo shoot really showed how great he is at working with anyone. He put us at ease knowing we were going to be taken of on the wedding day so we can enjoy. He knew the best spots in Downtown Frederick for pictures and open to explore our ideas. He was fun, helpful, kind, knowledgeable, and attentive. Our guests raved about him during the wedding and made them feel welcomed. We are glad we used him to capture these moments and will use him again!
Hannah Slowey5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Hannah has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Hands down the best photographer I’ve ever experienced! Brad did my bestfriends wedding and I am blown away with the way he ran the show. Not to mention his picture sneak peeks throughout the day looked absolutely stunning. More photographers need to bring the energy he brought to the entire day and to the dance floor! OBSESSED!
Dorothy Cook6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Dorothy has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We just took extended family photos with Brad (after also working with him previously for wedding photos and baby photos) and had the best experience! The photos are fantastic; it’s very special to have these multi family and multigenerational shots. Brad was patient, flexible, positive, and so great with the kids!
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Family and group
Richard SaccoLocal Guide · 29 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Richard has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Hiring Brad as our wedding photographer was easily one of the best decisions we made for our big day. Beyond simply capturing the essential milestones and fleeting, candid emotions of the day, Brad has an incredible artistic eye. When we stepped away for a few moments, he utilized the surrounding landscapes to frame us in breathtaking, beautifully posed shots that truly feel like works of art.
Managing wedding guests and wrangling family members for group photos can easily become chaotic, but Brad handled our crowd with absolute professionalism, patience, and effective leadership. Thanks to his organization and strict adherence to our shot list, he kept everyone moving efficiently so we didn't waste precious time away from our celebration.
Based on the sneak peeks and samples he has shared with us so far, the image quality is already exceeding our highest expectations. Every photo we've seen is crisp, vibrant, and filled with genuine life. If you want a photographer who combines technical mastery, creative vision, and stellar crowd management, Brad is the absolute best.
Andrew Holladay1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews Andrew has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Brad really went above and beyond to help my proposal go as smooth as possible. He is knowledgeable in his field and even took the time to scope out the location beforehand. His rate is very reasonable for the incredible quality of his work and equipment. I would highly recommend for any event or occasion, you will not be disappointed.
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Wedding and engagement
Joan Gilbert9 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Joan has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Choosing just a few photos to include with this review was nearly impossible because we loved so many of them!
Brad doesn't just take beautiful photos, he genuinely cares about the people he's photographing, and that shines through in every part of the experience. We never felt rushed. Instead, he thoughtfully guided us throughout the session, noticing the little things that make a big difference. He even had my dad take the phone out of his front pocket so it wouldn't show through in the photos, and he caught stray hairs or anything else that needed a quick adjustment before taking the shot.
He was wonderful with our entire family, especially the youngest kids. He brought a giant bubble gun to keep them entertained, which made for genuine smiles and made the whole experience so much more enjoyable.
On top of all that, he delivered our gallery incredibly fast. I was amazed by how quickly we received our photos. Our family is spread all over the world, so these pictures mean more than I can put into words. They will be treasured for a lifetime.
If you're looking for someone who is not only incredibly talented but also kind, patient, and attentive to every detail, we can't recommend Brad highly enough.
Services: Family and group
Timothy Kuntz6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Timothy has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Brad was fantastic to work with for our 1st family photo shoot. He was very energetic and helped keep our 7month old daughter smiling for all of our photos. Highly recommend!
Bailey Wilson3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Bailey has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Book the session!!!!! If you have kids, they will absolutely love Brad. He is so personable and fun! Great communication, fast turnaround, awesome studio, photos 1000/10.
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Family and group
Ryan Something4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Ryan has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We had an amazing experience working with Brad for our engagement photos and proposal. From the very beginning, he went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect. What really stood out was how helpful and invested he was throughout the entire process. He even took the time before the proposal day to tour the venue with me so we could walk through everything and create a solid plan for the big moment. That extra effort gave me so much confidence and relieved a lot of stress for me.
During the proposal he made sure to blend with crowd so to not tip anything off. The photos turned out incredible and perfectly captured such a special moment in our lives. You can tell he genuinely cares about his clients and wants every detail to be right. I would absolutely recommend him to anyone looking for a photographer.
