Stop Working for Free? The Hard Truth Every Creative Needs to Hear

By Stephen Kawakami — Dynamic Range Podcast

Every creative reaches that moment where they have to face the question: Should I work for free?

It’s one of those topics that divides people. Some say never. Others swear it’s how they got their start.

After years of building a business, leading a team, and balancing creative passion with real-world bills, here’s my honest take: there’s a time to say yes and a time to say no. Knowing the difference can make or break your career.

The Three Questions I Always Ask

Before I agree to any unpaid project, I filter it through three questions.

1. Can I afford it?

Not just financially, but mentally and emotionally. If I’m already stretched thin with client work or family time, another “free” project usually costs more than it gives.

2. Will it grow me?

When I started out, I used free projects to learn lighting setups, camera techniques, and real-world experience. Now I only say yes if it pushes my creativity or challenges my skill set.

3. Does it have purpose?

Some projects align with causes or relationships that matter deeply to me. When there’s purpose behind it, it’s often worth more than the paycheck.

If at least two of those questions are a yes, I’ll consider it. If it’s all take and no give, I move on.

Free Work Built My Business

When my family moved to Tennessee, I didn’t have a single client. I shot two projects for free; one for a local coffee shop and one for a missions organization.

Those two projects opened every door that followed. Every client I have today can be traced back to one of them.

Working for free can be powerful when it’s done strategically. It’s not about being taken advantage of. It’s about creating opportunity where none exists yet.

Bartering and Boundaries

Trading services can also create incredible value. I’ve swapped video work for landscaping, fitness coaching, and even home improvements.

The key is clarity. Write it down, set expectations, and agree on the value of what’s being traded. Free work still has worth. Treat it like it does.

When Free Work Becomes a Trap

If you say yes to every “quick favor” or every “we don’t have a budget but…” request, you’ll burn out.

Not every opportunity is your assignment. There’s a difference between serving out of purpose and saying yes out of pressure. I had to learn that lesson the hard way.

The Real Reward

As I’m writing this, the Dynamic Range podcast is something I do for free. There are no sponsors or ads. I do it because I love helping other creatives grow.

Some of the most fulfilling work I’ve ever done didn’t come with a paycheck. It came with purpose. It came with connection. It came with clarity.

If you’ve read this far, my encouragement is simple: don’t say yes out of fear. Say yes with intention. When you do that, free work stops being a burden and starts becoming a bridge.

Listen to the Full Episode

You can listen to Dynamic Range Episode 5 on Spotify or YouTube. To see the gear I use for the podcast, visit crowned.one/setup.