Since 1978, women are the main subject of Houtsmuller’s work, in which the esthetics and beauty prevail above eroticism. Houtsmuller's photographs seem ageless. His work has been exhibited in many countries in Europe and abroad. His work is accepted in collections like the prentenkabinet of the Amsterdam Rijksmuseum (NL), The International Polaroid Collection (USA), Bibliothèque Nationale Paris (FR) and the International Bert Hartkamp collection (NL).
His work has been published by Feierabend Verlag (Germany) and by Prometheus (NL) Houtsmuller is member of the GKf. He works and lives in Woerden, Netherlands

Barend is Winner at the 7th Black & White Spider Awards (2012) with:
Honorable Mention in Fashion
Nominees in Nude, Fine Art, Nude, People, Portrait, Nude
8,223 entries were received from 72 countries and his work received a high percentage of votes overall.
See http://www.thespiderawards.com/gallery/7th/index.php