Probably never. That’s the easy answer. As long as cameras exist, photographers will shoot for free and people will want to mug for the camera. When it comes to professional photo shoots, even the old adage, “you get what you pay” for doesn’t really apply. To test this theory, I recently went through the process by acting as a “talent” in need of photos and posted a note to Craigslist. In less than a few hours I was inundated with free photoshoot requests. I took several of them up on their offer and over the course of two weeks was involved in multiple photoshoots. The results ranged from simple outdoor candids by amateurs to studio shots by pros. Most results were positive, but not all.  I’ll post one example here. The bottom line is you are getting the sum total of the photographers experience and taking a chance on the opportunity to collaborate with their creativity. Call it chemistry, mood, humor, attitude emotion or whatever. I believe the best shoots are helped by all of these in addition to makeup, styling, wardrobe–but are best enhanced by a connection or kinship that you develop and share between the photographer and the subject. What do you think?