You don't have to be an agent to understand this.
Ostensibly...
There are plenty of things that can go wrong with this scenario. One could use professional services to lower their official commission
Wrong. Commissions are agreed on by the selling broker and seller. The agents do not determine commissions. An agent cannot tell another agent they'll pay less "official commission" because commission and is determined at time the listing agreement is signed.
What you're semi-correctly thinking you're describing isn't unethical; It's a kick back, and it is
illegal. Doesn't matter if you have a license or not.
as to avoid paying higher brokerage fees.
See above.
Also many associations including my local association doesn't allow supra access for professional services. You are only supposed to use that access for showing homes to potential buyers.
So? You just don't walk into a house you don't have permission to be in. Just like any realtor who has a Supra key doesn't just walk into houses they're not showing or previewing. That's called breaking and entering. If you had an RE license and were taking photos, you'd schedule a session to photograph the property...like is done every single day licensee or not. Oh and boards don't determine who can or can't enter a home; the home owners do.
If you will have an interest in any property that you provide your professional service on you are supposed to notify all parties that you are a realtor.
Huh? If you're the listing agent or broker, and taking pictures for the listing, that's normal. If you're not the listing agent or broker, but hired to take pictures, there is no agency, and there is no requirement legally or ethically, to notify anyone. If you brought a buyer to the table, you'll be bound to an agency agreement with the buyer. If you're the listing agent, and bring a buyer to the table, you'll be in dual agency with both.
You're likely confusing the actual notion of professional services.You don't have to notify anyone you're a realtor if you're not engaging in agency. The listing agent needs to notify the seller of anyone providing services in conjunction with selling the property. This is regardless of they're a licensee:
"Realtors® shall not undertake to provide specialized professional services concerning a type of property or service that is outside their field of competence unless they engage the assistance of one who is competent on such types of property or service, or unless the facts are fully disclosed to the client. Any persons engaged to provide such assistance shall be so identified to the client and their contribution to the assignment should be set forth."
If the photographer is a licensee, and decides to bring a buyer to the table, the agency will be disclosed, ipso facto.
Also if you are an active realtor you can overhear confidential information that you shouldn't be privy too. This information could be used unfairly if you decide to bring a buyer to the table.
Uh, ok. Same could happen if you are in Starbucks behind the listing agent on the phone with the seller. The onus is on the listing agent not to divulge confidential information about the seller. The onus is on the buyer's agent not to divulge confidential info about the buyer. In exclusive agency scenarios, agents have no obligation to the opposite party.
Here, you should read this. You need to clear up a lot should you decide to become an agent someday.
Yes, I do understand fully.
Lol.