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

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.  

Jennifer Krueger wrote: How rude of them to even meet up with you when they had no $$

It's not at all clear the bride-to-be had no money. It's clear they thought they deserved special treatment and could get something for nothing.

Thousands of dollars for a freakin' dress that you wear one time. Food and beverages that are gone within hours. But let's try to save money on the one thing that you'll have forever.

garyrhook wrote:

Jennifer Krueger wrote: How rude of them to even meet up with you when they had no $$

It's not at all clear the bride-to-be had no money. It's clear they thought they deserved special treatment and could get something for nothing.

Thousands of dollars for a freakin' dress that you wear one time. Food and beverages that are gone within hours. But let's try to save money on the one thing that you'll have forever.

Society is so backwards. I've stopped letting it surprise me.

Leilanee wrote: Society is so backwards. I've stopped letting it surprise me.

Aren't you Canadian?  I'll take Canada any day.

I have 2 daughters. I've been working on level-setting for a few years now. Not sure it's helping.

garyrhook wrote:

Leilanee wrote: Society is so backwards. I've stopped letting it surprise me.

Aren't you Canadian?  I'll take Canada any day.

I have 2 daughters. I've been working on level-setting for a few years now. Not sure it's helping.

The day Canada introduced its own Black Friday, I accepted that our nation was lost.

I feel better about this, at least I know I was somewhat right to be mad.  Lesson learned.  

Oh heck no!  I would not only give her a month full, I would send her a bill for my time to and from that meeting.  At least covering my travel cost. 

That's just wrong in my opinion!  I think I would have a hard time bitting my words in this case.  

garyrhook wrote:

Jennifer Krueger wrote: How rude of them to even meet up with you when they had no $$

It's not at all clear the bride-to-be had no money. It's clear they thought they deserved special treatment and could get something for nothing.

Thousands of dollars for a freakin' dress that you wear one time. Food and beverages that are gone within hours. But let's try to save money on the one thing that you'll have forever.

Exactly!  Some people have a warped sense of priority!

She would get a bill from me

I'm amazed of how people think at times.  This is not only rude, but leaves a bad taste, and is just messed up.   

Well I am glad to see we are all of the same mindset. I have to agree with both of Gary's posts, and Sharon's. Personally I would never met with them for lunch, well at least if it was at a restaurant, their house sure. Also I would state that meeting someone outside of a certain radius from your office will require a refundable charge, that is considered a part of your intial down payment. This will flush out the turds from the punchbowl for the most part. I would have that in your ads, and on your site. You may lose some business, or inquiries, but most likely if someone really wants your services it will have no effect. The type of clients you want will have no problem with it.

Things like this are in VERY poor taste.  However, they are very common.  My spouse was just telling me about how many people call in on any given day demanding free TV for anything from 6 months to life just because they missed a single "important" show.  In case you are wondering, my spouse currently works for one of the major satellite TV providers in the nation.  Sadly, this is how people are being allowed to behave lately.

I might be tempted to ask the prospective bride what she and/or her groom do for a living and ask if I could get those services for free with promise of future business and referrals.  I'm betting it would be a rather hostile answer which might open a window for you to explain the inappropriateness of her request to her.  I don't know how well I could bite my tongue on this.  Props to the OP for managing to hold your tongue in a difficult situation.

Promises of referrals mean absolutely nothing coming from her.  She absolutely cannot guarantee what other people will do.  Even if you did pick up referral traffic, it would likely also be people looking for freebies or ultra reduced cost for high end work.