Would you give up your business for a full time job offer from a brokerage?
I’m at a pretty major career crossroads and would love some advice from people with experience in real estate, photography, or career decisions.
I’m 24 years old. Right now I have a full-time day job that gives me the flexibility to run my real estate media business on the side. Combined, I’m on track to make around $80,000-$90,000 this year.
My photography business has been growing every year, and this has honestly been my best year yet.
Recently, I was offered a full-time Marketing Director position with a large real estate brokerage. The salary starts at $100,000, plus benefits, PTO, and a 401(k). The downside is I’d have to give up my real estate photography business because of a non-compete. I’d still be able to shoot weddings, events, portraits, etc., but I couldn’t continue photographing homes for other real estate clients.
One thing that’s been weighing on me is the future of real estate photography.
Where do you honestly see this industry in the next 5–10 years? AI editing is advancing rapidly, virtual staging is becoming more common, cameras keep getting better, and more agents seem to be creating their own content. Do you think independent real estate photographers will continue to thrive, or do you see demand declining as technology improves?
Part of me wonders if I should take advantage of the opportunity while my business is doing well and use that momentum to step into a stable six-figure career, rather than waiting to see what the industry looks like several years from now.
If you were in my position:
Would you stay the course and keep growing the business?
Or would you take the $100k marketing position?
And how concerned are you about AI changing the future of real estate photography?
I’d really appreciate hearing from people who have been in the industry or have faced a similar decision.
Posted Jul 3, 2026, 6:11 PM UTC