#119 - Work for free? Here's how to decide when it's worth it.

As Creatives, all we want to do is take beautiful photos and stay passionate and creative, but just when we feel like we’ve mastered our craft, honed our creative and technical skills, learned the A to Z of business, we run into a highly frustrating roadblock -  of not being valued.

We get asked to lower our rates and are ghosted when we quote fairly. We get offered products in exchange for our services all the time, but above all, we get asked to work for free.

That’s when the dilemma starts.

Should I spend hours creating content for a bottle of salt?

Will they come back and pay me next time?

Am I sabotaging an opportunity if I say no?

It’s exhausting. And drains all the joy out of the process.

Here’s the truth: these offers are not going away. There will always be brands that undervalue creative work. So do we reject every offer that doesn’t come with a paycheck?

Not necessarily.

Working for free or in exchange for products isn’t ideal, but what matters most is that if you choose to work for free, do it on your own terms.  

If you’re not getting paid, the project still needs to offer some value. 

Here’s a simple way to quickly decide whether an opportunity without monetary compensation is worth taking on. Here’s how to make that decision in minutes and free yourself from doubt, frustration, and being taken for a ride. 

Before you begin - Think about the VALUE of the project. Value looks different for everyone, so consider these 5 ways of identifying the value of the project. 

1. Ask - Will it give me experience?

Maybe you’re new and need a real-world project to build confidence.

That experience could be a new category of photography or a new food or product. You could always think of such a project as a way to build experience and confidence in handling that particular subject or style of photography. That experience could be considered high-value.

2. Ask - Will it broaden my network?

Maybe the shoot involves other brands or creatives you want to connect with. Working with them could lead to future opportunities. Access to other players in the industry and the chance to broaden your network could be considered high-value

3. Ask - Will it boost my portfolio?

Whether it’s a brand name in your portfolio or a new category of food/product, if it elevates your portfolio, takes you forward in the direction you want to move in your business, then you can be open to considering an offer that doesn’t necessarily pay in cash. 

4. Ask - Will it get my foot in the door?

Maybe you’ve been eyeing this brand or agency for a while, and this is your chance to start a relationship. If the project can be a starter to a long-term relationship with a brand, it’s most definitely a yes. 

[Just be cautious of empty promises] 

5. Will it give me purpose?

Not every project has to be strategic. An unconventional value that a project may bring to you is giving your creativity a sense of purpose, where you work for free to uplift, support and help the less privileged, like volunteering for an NGO or helping a cause that matters to you.

Free work or any work that drains your time, energy, and resources without giving you anything back? 

That's not an opportunity.  

That's a cost.

 If an experience leaves you depleted of money,  joy, or of your own standards, it’s not worth it.

 Bottom Line is that there is no universal right or wrong. The idea of value is personal and evolves with every step in our business.

If you decide to work for free, make sure you get value out of it. Whether that’s experience, purpose, exposure, or connections—  make sure it’s something that lights you up, not wears you down. Working for free can be powerful, very high-value, and catapult your business  - but only when you do it on your own terms.

For questions or thoughts, drop me an email at [email protected] or send me a DM on Instagram at @dyutima_myfoodlens