If you’re a real estate photographer, you may have noticed CoStar’s recent recruiting blitz. The company—best known for owning brands like Apartments.com, Homes.com, and LoopNet—has been running ads offering full-time photography jobs with benefits, vehicles, and professional gear.
At first glance, it might sound like a dream opportunity: a steady paycheck, corporate perks, and the security of a big-name company.
But before you make the jump, it’s worth looking closer at what’s really happening behind the scenes.
The Corporate Pitch vs. The Reality
CoStar’s ads promise consistency—9 to 5 hours, company cars, and a clear career path.
However, many former photographers describe a very different experience once they’re inside the company.
Public reviews on Indeed and Glassdoor tell a story of long hours, unrealistic production targets, and constant micromanagement. Several photographers mention that they were “required to travel for days or weeks at a time” and “expected to shoot non-stop to meet daily metrics.”
One reviewer summed it up bluntly:
“The only pro is the pay. You’ll work over 40 hours every week just to hit your quota.”
On Reddit, another former team member posted about a “second wave of layoffs” inside CoStar’s media division, describing heavy workloads and “post-production being handed off to others,” putting even more strain on field photographers.
A Company Known for Controversy
CoStar’s internal culture and leadership have been heavily scrutinized in recent years.
CEO Andy Florance has developed a reputation for being aggressive toward competitors and even his own employees.
Just in the last year, CoStar has faced multiple public controversies, including:
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Layoffs and rapid re-hiring sprees – In February 2025, Axios reported that CoStar laid off roughly 120 employees in Richmond on the same day it announced plans to hire 1,000 new staff. That kind of turnover raises red flags about long-term job stability.
Read the Axios report › -
Aggressive litigation culture – The company has a history of lawsuits against competitors, former employees, and even media outlets.
In July 2025, Reuters reported CoStar sued Zillow over alleged copyright violations. Just a few months earlier, CoStar was also hit with a trade secrets lawsuit of its own over “dueling real estate websites.”
See Reuters coverage ›
While litigation is part of doing business for many large corporations, CoStar’s track record paints a clear picture: this is a company that plays hardball—inside and outside the courtroom.
What Photographers Say About Working There
Several former CoStar photographers are now part of the HomeJab network.
Their feedback is remarkably consistent:
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Rigid non-competes that prevent you from shooting for other clients.
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No ownership of your content—you can’t use your own photos for your portfolio.
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Surveillance and strict tracking of company vehicles and devices.
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High turnover among photographers and editors.
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Frequent changes to policies, schedules, and management expectations.
As one photographer put it in our community Discord:
“There’s a reason the smart ones all left that nightmare gig.”
The Bigger Picture: Freedom vs. Control
At HomeJab, you’re an independent creative. You decide when you work, how many jobs you take, and where you want to grow.
You’re building your own business—not someone else’s corporate empire.
With CoStar, you become part of a large, rigid system that values metrics over artistry. Your daily schedule, assignments, and even your creative process are dictated from above. If corporate priorities change, your job can disappear overnight.
For some people, that trade-off might be worth it. But for most talented photographers, it’s the very freedom and flexibility of independent work that keeps them passionate about what they do.
Before You Say Yes to Any Corporate Offer, Ask:
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What are the shoot quotas and performance metrics?
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How much travel is required, and will I be away from home for long stretches?
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What happens if the company restructures or the market slows down?
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Do I have the right to use my own work in my portfolio?
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Am I signing a non-compete that could prevent me from freelancing later?
Those are tough questions—but ones every professional photographer should ask before giving up their independence.
Why Photographers Stay with HomeJab
At HomeJab, we’re proud to be different:
✅ Flexibility – Work when you want, where you want.
✅ Transparency – You know exactly how jobs are assigned and paid.
✅ Support – Our full-time customer team handles scheduling and logistics.
✅ Respect – You’re treated as a creative professional, not a cog in a machine.
✅ Growth – Keep your creative freedom while expanding your client base nationwide.
We’ve built our reputation on quality, reliability, and photographer-first values. With over 1,000 active photographers and a 4.8-star customer rating, we’re proof that treating photographers right pays off for everyone.
