Dr Photo creator John Durrant to retire after 53 years in property
Durrant's time within the industry included a substantial stint as an estate agent before setting up his photography company.
John Durrant, one of the best-known figures in the industry, is to step down from leading the business he established, Dr Photo.
Initially working as an estate agent in his teens he went on to establish Surrey firm Waterfall, Durrant and Barclay during the early noughties, later setting up a specialist photography company serving the residential and commercial sectors.
The 69-year-old is best known for Dr Photo, the first software package to enable agents to improve external and internal property photos at a click of a button, although the business – recently renamed DCTR – also offers training on how to take better photos to agents and property inspectors.
Durrant says he is to semi-retire and, although he will be stepping down from his leadership role at DCTR and handing over to son Tom (pictured), he will still be involved in the business.
“I’ve lived for the property industry for nearly 54-years, and I’ve seen how it has evolved.
“Just look, for example, at how property marketing has moved on in that time from text-only sales particulars to what DCTR is currently producing to help agents to improve images and videos of homes that are viewed on HD screens around the world.
“I look back and realise how lucky I’ve been to play my part in this and to participate in other minor ways serving the industry.
“I’ve served on the NAEA, judged property awards, won awards, created several businesses – Doctor Photo was a world’s-first – taught photography to thousands of agents and authored the 12,000-word RICS Property Photography Guidance. Not bad for the lad who left school with just O-Level Art!”
