here's a great thread illustrating much of what we've discussed here. this guy is basically doing everything you should NOT do.
http://www.eccie.net/showthread.php?t=1083885
Originally Posted by john_deere
The sad part is he actually got responses and that's what messes up a lot of women - in and out of this business - when it comes to photography. They see free and the words professional camera and jump all over it and it usually ends up going bad fast. Saying you have professional lights and cameras and whatever does not make you a photographer - it just means you spent some money. Lord knows it does not make you a professional photographer. "His" work definitely does not make him a professional - half of "his examples" have another photographers tag line on them and there are so many different styles of shooting thrown in I can't say if he shot it or not but, yeah, it does not make him a professional.
Those words, free and professional, thrown together are like moths to a flame for bargain shoppers and unfortunately he'll get some takers and it won't be long before they are on a thread somewhere complaining how this "professional photographer" screwed them over and they will not work with a pro again.
There are some free offers you can take some photographers up on but ladies need to research and screen these guys just like they do with their clients. Hell, contact past clients of the photographer and see what they have to say, see what they think about his work, his professionalism, etc. before you book with a "ohh baby let's have fun and I got a big camera and a light so I'm a pro and I'll make you look great" guy.