How do you respond to "work for free" requests?

I'm so disappointed.  I just went out to a new client consultation and at the end got "I can't afford to pay you, but I can promise if you photograph our wedding, you will get a lot of referrals and repeat work".  What's funny is she was talking like a big shot with all that she wanted from me and my most expensive wedding package.  

I was so disappointed, but bit my tongue on what I wanted to say.  I feel my time was intentionally wasted.    How would you have handled this?  Keep in mind you drove 45 min (one way) and sat with them at restaurant for 1.15 hour, paid for lunch and after that got the line you would be compensated with what I mentioned above?  

I'd laugh and say I'm going fishing.....

Edit...and make sure the dope understands my services wouldn't be available to him again, at any cost.

How do you respond to "work for free" requests?

..."No".

honestly she did waste your time. If I was in your shoes I would have told her that. People are idiots lol.
Never thought this would be necessary, but it's too bad you didn't charge them a consultation fee. I would feel robbed if I jumped through hoops like that just to get the old "I'll pay you in positive feedback." Good freaking lord.

Times like this, I would wish for "Yelp" reviews for individuals so I could leave feedback to warn others about them. 

I would be SOOO mad

"I am sorry, but even my family pays. Family gets my help moving house, but everyone pays for my photography. My percentage free work goes to registered causes like Save the Whales. You will not go extinct or die without my help."

And the sad part of this, some other photographer will most likely buy this person a lunch and go through the same thing tomorrow.  

They are out there!  

Did you get her from a referral? You could have pointed that out and expressed your confusion over how that is supposed to work.

Or, "there must be some confusion. I don't give my work away. What, exactly, gave you the impression that I'm looking for the opportunity to work for free?"

Next time, don't pay the tab until after you get a deposit. Then you could have at least said, "separate checks!"

Gary brings up good points.  Lesson learned.  

WOW, that's messed up.  I would have a hard time biting my tongue on that one.  

I'm appalled with how they treated you

Sounds like a frustrating waste of time. I suppose it depends on the situation but sometimes I think you need to stay professional but be clear and firm if need be; I might have said something about it not being a good use of her time or yours if she knew your price range but wasn't planning to pay for your time and work.

I wonder with such an abundance of people with cameras listing themselves on FB and Craigslist as photographers, and underpricing or offering to take photos for trade or free, that some people are shopping around (or some might even be trying to play one off another, saying so-and-so will do it for $ etc.).

It might be worth taking a look at how you're presenting your info. to make sure it's clear what your pricing is etc. so people who want to shop around for cheap might be more likely to try elsewhere. And then refer back as needed to what info. they already were provided (remember where on my website it says - I charge ___?). I've found in the type work I've done (not photography related) it can help to present info. more than once and in more than one way - verbal, in writing, email, website, etc.

Maybe too instead of lunch make it for coffee someplace that doesn't have full restaurant service. Someone like this woman might be doing this with her wedding planning, getting tastings etc. for the freebies more than any intention of actually booking anything.  Hope you don't have an experience with a prospective client like this again, and at least maybe it's good you didn't book this one, might have been nothing but trouble.

How rude of them to even meet up with you when they had no $$

I'm going to agree with Icepics.  Big waste of time.