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Congratulations to Art Ibewuike, February 2024 PFRE Photographer of the Month! The theme this month was "Living Room or Family Room". Art Ibewuike - #895 Paul-Dan Dragoman - #898 Peter Wingfield - #900 Here's what Art has to say: Thank you so much for ...

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Congratulations Iran Watson: 2012 Real Estate Photographer of The Year

In: 
Published: 18/12/2012

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Congratulations Iran! The PFRE jury has chosen Iran Watson's as the Real Estate Photographer of the year. Iran is a Realtor/Photographer in Marietta, Georgia. This was a very difficult task to pick a winner from the fantastic field of entrants!

The voting results are as follows:

  1. Iran Watson - 40
  2. Jason Roehner - 19
  3. Charles Lynch - 12
  4. Nick De Clercq - 10
  5. Steve Carroll - 5
  6. Craig Ryder - 5
  7. Ethan Tweedie - 4
  8. Anders Carlson - 3
  9. Matt Waclo - 2
  10. Scott DuBose - 0
  11. Nestor Trillo - 0
I should mention that the voting instructions to the jurors was to not just consider the photo that the entrants won their month with, since all months except November had a constrained theme, but jurors were encouraged to also look at the entrants' portfolios for judging.

Iran's description of his image from back in April as follows:

This was a shot from a small set I did for a local site Marietta.com. The was a show home so it wasn't hard to find a good comp, the entire home was very well decorated. The shot itself is pretty straight forward, I only used one handheld strobe, but shot several frames which I later combined in post. The strobed frames consisted of one with the light pointed directly into the room, one with the light bounced over head, and then maybe 5 or 6 more where a used a slip on speedgrid to accent the chairs, the ottoman, the bench, and so on. I made a composite of these frames and then blended that with an Exposure Fusion image made from a bracket of just the ambient light, no strobes. From there it was just fine tuning really. I tried to maintain the feel and direction of the ambient light while using the strobed frame to even out the exposures and clean up the WB.

As you can see from Iran's description above Iran's approach to real estate photography is very meticulous.

I think it is worth noting that Iran is both a Realtor and a real estate photographer. Iran's description of how he split's his time between real estate and real estate photography is as follows:

I list homes as well as do the photography thing at the same time.  I was licensed in GA in 2004 and have been selling homes in the Atlanta area since.  I only started my photography business a few years ago, which was almost by accident.  I did a few shoots for some agents friends, they told their friends, and it pretty much took on a life of its own.  So today I set aside a block of time every week to do photography and the rest of the time is spent tending real estate matters.  80% of real estate business is referrals and past clients.  The other 20% is mostly from people I meet doing photography.  The two compliment each other quite well actually.

I would also like to add that I really consider being chosen as PFRE photographer of the year an honor.  Truth be told, PFRE and the Flickr group are the main reasons I am where I am today.  Most of the techniques and methods I use originated from ideas discussed in this community.  To be recognized by this group means a lot.  Thank you everyone.

PFRE Photographer of the Year Winners:

Larry Lohrman

29 comments on “Congratulations Iran Watson: 2012 Real Estate Photographer of The Year”

  1. Congratulations Iran, a very well deserved acknowledgment of the high quality of the work you do.

    My son James Lynch did pretty well, but as he is only 8 years old it will be a couple of more years before he is ready to do some processing, I'm guessing its a typo!

    🙂

  2. Congratulations! Iran is a phenomenal photographer and was kind enough to offer me feedback, suggestions and encouragement when I was just starting out. Even when my incessant questions probably got a little annoying. Happy to see his awesome work acknowledged in this forum.

  3. Congrats Iran! As a Fellow REALTOR and PFRE Member from Marietta, I am so proud that you represent our area so well.

  4. VERY well-deserved. Iran is one of the rare photographers who can light, blend, and most importantly -- compose -- a shot skillfully.

  5. Great honor goes to a great photographer who is never shy to share his techniques. Congratulations Iran, I look forward to seeing lots more of your amazing images in 2013!

  6. When we lived in Georgia - Marietta just got "their new mall" 1972 - 1979. It was way out and the perimeter freeway was being finished granting access. Homes were going up faster than you could imagine. Now - I am sure I would never recognize what Marietta looked like, but based on Iran's photos - I am sure I would want to live there!

    Great job Iran and congrats for setting your standards so high and producing work that uplifts our entire industry.

  7. Congrats Iran, Great honor, you are an inspiration to all of the PRE photographers to strive for your skill level
    Bill

  8. Congratulations from another Realtor. Well deserved and the attention to photographic detail in the lighting and composition really sets a standard reflected in your other work. It is so true that photographer and realtor are complimentary skills where clients mutually benefit and result in referrals both ways.

  9. Great work Iran, your work is very consistent and pleasing to the eye and that takes a ton of work. Keep up the high standards!!!

    Warmest Regards,

    Ethan

  10. Congratulations Iran! When I first discovered this blog and the flickr group a couple of years ago your images immediately had me in awe. The other night while at the flickr group I was searching for some info. One of the results that came up from my query was a post that you had started back in Oct '07 asking whether or not it would be worth it to upgrade to a DSLR from your P&S. I had to read it at least 3 times to make sure that you were really asking that question. Amazing! You are truly an inspiration to all of us.

  11. Thanks again everyone! Your comments are very motivating, I am looking forward to what 2013 has in store for all of us in the PFRE world. I see great things on the horizon.

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!

  12. Iran, CONGRATS from Ronda and myself! When I first saw your work I told her that you are VERY VERY good. You are so task oriented and concise. You do virtually perfect work. Looking at your work I say to myself..whats the point? 🙂 I'm glad you have been recognized. GOOD JOB my friend!

  13. Iran, you are THE MAN! Great to see a fellow Atlantan get some well deserved attention. The last time you shot a listing for me is when I was really starting to get into video, and then naturally photography. I'm amazed at your images and inspired by your work ethic. Blessings to you and everybody in the PFRE community. You have taught me much this year. Merry Christmas!

  14. Congratulations Iran! This award is very well deserved. I've always been amazed by the high quality of your work, especially your expertise with blends and fusions. And you're always willing to share your methods with others. You are a true inspiration. Happy New Year!

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