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Weddings

About

In college at the University of Maryland, Dennis Drenner was studying to be a biologist when he began taking pictures for the student newspaper and fell in love with photography. Fascinated as he was by the workings of the natural world, Dennis found the observation of our own peculiar species even more compelling. By graduation, he had decided to trade in his microscope for a camera lens.

Seventeen years later, Dennis has now photographed extensively around the United States and all over the world, always with the scientist's habit of looking for the basic truths under the surface of things, the common human stories that lie beneath our external differences.

Dennis' work has won awards in the national Pictures of the Year competition, three Maryland State Arts Council Grants, an Arthur Burns Fellowship to work at the German magazine Stern , and a Fulbright Fellowship to photograph in Pakistan. His clients include such publications as the Washington Post, New York Times, US News and World Report, The Sunday Times (London), and Der Spiegel (Germany).

Over the past five years Dennis has developed a passion for Latin America, has traveled extensively in the region and speaks fluent Spanish.

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Early on in my career, two of my newspaper colleagues asked me to photograph their weddings one summer. Imagining myself a rugged, world-traveling photo-stud, I was of course appalled. “I don’t do weddings! I don’t shoot those cheesy, staged photos! I’m not going to spend hours arranging bridesmaids!” They calmly told me that they didn’t want me to do that either. “Just take your own pictures. We like your pictures.” they said. And I was flattered, and I relented, and the rest is history.

What I quickly learned is that weddings have everything photojournalists love to shoot - emotion, pageantry, drama - all wrapped up in a neat eight-hour package with an open bar. I also learned that there are hordes of people in the world who also want my sort of pictures, candid photographs that reflect their own particular personalities and relationships rather than Martha Stewart’s idea of how things should be.

The other thing we photojournalists love is to make a difference with our photographs, to illuminate, to educate, to make people see through our eyes. And while my wedding photos are seen by far fewer people than my work published in the Washington Post for example, the effects are far deeper and longer lasting. And so is my satisfaction when a bride tells me my photos made her hands shake with emotion, or a groom says that I took the best picture of his grandfather he has ever seen, or when I run into a couple five years after the wedding and learn that photos I have nearly forgotten remain fresh and powerful in their minds and in their lives.

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Frequently asked questions

Which of the following are included in the starting price?

2nd Shooter
High-Res Images
Multi. Locations
Toning
Digital Files

Which of the following are included in the price of your most popular wedding package?

2nd Shooter
High-Res Images
Multi. Locations
One Event / Day
Toning
Digital Files

What primary photographic style do you identify with?

Contemporary
Photojournalism

What photography services do you offer?

Additional Hours
Boudoir Shoot
Engagement Shoot
High-Res Images
One Event / Day
Second Shooter

What photography items do you offer?

Albums
Digital Files
Flush Mount
Prints
Proofs

Reviews of Dennis Drenner Photographs

Travis
Travis Sent on 11/19/2018
5 out of 5 rating

Dennis is a top-notch and affordable photographer!

Dennis was perfect throughout our day. There's really not much else I can say. Just the pinnacle of professionalism, talent, and geniality. He showed up on time and got every shot we asked him to get. His still shots were thorough and awesome. And his candid shots were just amazing! I can't recommend Dennis enough!
Kelli
Kelli Sent on 11/22/2015
5 out of 5 rating
Dennis' work really speaks for itself and his personality and talent come through on his blog that's actually interesting to read even if you're not shopping for a wedding photographer. After looking at dozens of photographer's websites that all started to look the same we put them up on our flat screen tv in full screen view to look at the photos and it was Dennis' photos that just vibrated with life, like, how am I crying about this strangers wedding! Take a look and you will see how he can capture the emotion and life. My wedding photos look natural and beautiful, they're some of the best photos I've seen of many people in my family. Looking at the moments he captured will bring me so much joy for the rest of my life. He's also a seasoned photographer that's been all over the world working for major news organizations and commissioned projects so really your wedding is small potatoes for him, but he would never act like it because he has more humility in his pinky finger than most people do in their entire being. Dennis graciously gave us advise on many things from the traffic patterns in Baltimore to vendor recommendations. If I was to do it all over I would have booked Dennis first and then asked for his top five wedding venues to find a location for my ceremony and reception (blog post idea Dennis!). I would also recommend not giving Dennis a shot list. Stay away from the lists on pinterest or wedding websites of the 65 photos you must get, he's done tons of weddings, he knows to get photos of the flower arrangements and he should be given the maximum amount of creative license to do what he does, which is capture your wedding in the most luscious higher than life way. Book Dennis now, like five minutes ago, seriously why are you still reading this review go call him!!! :)
R
Rachel Sent on 11/30/2018
5 out of 5 rating

Couldn't ask for better

I must look at my wedding photos at least twice a day! Dennis did a fabulous job documenting our wedding. He was calm, kind, and a true professional during the wedding day, and he turned the final edits around so quickly, we actually were able to enjoy looking at them on our honeymoon. We love how he captured the small moments that made our wedding special. Thank you, Dennis!
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Awards

66
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2016 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2014 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2013 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2011 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2010 Winner

Professional Network & Endorsements

3 Endorsements
Heather St. Clair Events Heather St. Clair Events Wedding Planners

Dennis captures all the little details of your wedding day with his stunning photography! With a photojournalistic background, he knows when to blend in and capture the wedding as it unfolds. But he also knows when to be more assertive, guiding you and your guests for formal portraits - like the amazing group shot of 100+ people he took at our last event together. I recommend him to all my brides who are looking for a very personable, laid-back photographer who takes great pictures.

Weddings Your Way by Mary & Associates Weddings Your Way by Mary & Associates Wedding Officiants

This Baltimore wedding photographer, photojournalist and portrait photographer is truly a professional that I would recommend. He's perfect for local and destination weddings and engagement portrait sessions. He brings 20 years of professionalism to his art of photography. Mary Tankersley

Debbie Federico - Professional Makeup Artist Debbie Federico - Professional Makeup Artist Wedding Hair & Makeup

I've been a makeup artist for over 25 years, but the first wedding that I ever had featured in "Brides Magazine" was photographed by Dennis Drenner. His wedding photos are not only beautiful, but convey so much emotion. His warm personality and incredible talent allows him to quietly capture the special moments of your wedding day. You'll be able to re-live your special day through his amazing photos for years to come! I highly recommend Dennis as a photographer and know that you will really enjoy working with him.

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