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How likely are you to respond to a "free or say $20 fee" for a photoraphy session?

This would be an add for example online (in your local area) or in the newspaper classifieds. The ad would offer photography services from a "beginner photographer" for either free or a minimal fee to cover gas to the shoot or the CD in which you would receive your photos on and you would have the rights to print as you wished. I thought this was a great idea when I saw an add online. It would give beginner photographers experience with the public. Of course the photographer would want your permission to use your photos on their website/blog, in their portfolio or for advertisement in the future. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this matter. LET ME REPHRASE THE QUESTION..IT SHOULD READ..HOW LIKELY ARE YOU TO RESPOND TO A "FREE OR SAY $20 FEE" AD FOR A PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION. Okay, Im getting some good answers/feedback from my question but I think I still didnt make the question clear enough that everyone knows what I mean. So let me give it another shot: I have photos to show to potential clients. I just need experience and would like to post an ad for either a few free shoots or charge something like $20 to cover my basic expenses. Its not like I have a business and I am setting a low price forever. If Im not established yet I can change my prices as I grow. I was just curious if any of you would give a beginner photographer a chance to photograph you. Would you pay the $20 and take a chance.Its all for experience and you would get some pretty good pictures out of it. It was just an idea that Ive been thinking over. And I would make that very clear in the ad. thanks to all that are replying.

Public Comments

1. I think you need to pick one or the other. If you say "free or $20," well, everyone's gonna pick free. :-) And I found "or say $20" to be unclear. But I think if you made it very clear that this is a beginning photographer, it's a very symbiotic situation. The customer is getting very cheap photographic services (which may not be great) and the photographer is getting valuable experience and exposure.
2. Photographers breaking into it professionally will often do pro bono work as a means of drumming up business. Nobody is going to do this out of the goodness of their heart. If the ad is legitimate, then he or she may want to use the images for promotion. The model will be expected to sign a release. A common pairing is a new photographer and a new model, both of whom need a portfolio. In this case, the model sits for free, the photographer shoots for free. They both get images that they can use at low cost. It sounds like a fishing expedition directed at finding new models. The business goal could be anything from what I described above to somebody looking for new porn models. Find out what kind of shots they want to do.
3. Why not? Everyone has to start somewhere right? Of course, I use this carefully though. How much experience does the person offering it for free have? Did they just pick up a camera and are now declaring themselves pro? Are they trying to learn new things and try new things and they need the portfolio to do it? Have you seen what their current work looks like? As someone looking to grow further as a photographer I will offer free photoshoots (TFP/TFCD) basis to help me learn. Charging when I really don't have the experience doesn't make much sense (though in my case, since I am unemployed and desperate, I won't turn down a paid shoot). I wouldn't be against working with a new photographer who was offering free shoots. I'll look at their current work first and make a decision on whether I choose to work with them. If I think it's good, I'll shoot. If I don't I'll move on. Simple as that. No photographer grows without experience and trial and error. It's how humble they are that matters to me. The new photographer with a huge ego who thinks everyone should fawn all over his work I run from. The new photographer who feels they are good but need the practice and aren't thinking ahead of themselves are the ones I'll consider.
4. People do not trust free and think you are not a real photographer. Just because you are starting out does not mean you can not charge a fair price. Furthermore once you set your fee so low it will be impossible to get people to pay you more. You will create a client tell which will not allow you to make a living as a photographer. I recommend that you join http://www.PPA.com and get to know the industry.
5. Once you get the reputation of being cheap it's hard to shake it.