I have refrained from writing back to photographers who complain on Craigslist about a poster who is seeking free photography, largely because Craigslist isn't a discussion forum. But for the love of everything that's holy, please, please, please stop haranguing other posters and whining publically. Yes, someone is asking for a professional service to be given for free, or in mildly insulting exchange for "recommendations" or "future opportunities" or trade. It happens about 10 times a day in my neck of the woods. Compared to the 50 posts by "pro" photographers seeking free models who are "confident." Jump all over them if you're feeling jumpy.
The truth is that giving your work away for free isn't always a bad idea, and only the photographer knows when it's appropriate (to expand their portfolio, gain experience, practice, etc.). If the poster thinks they can get the quality they want for free, then most likely they weren't going to pay a respectable wage for the images-- so you haven't lost any business. There's no competition between photographers who shoot for free and those who only do paid gigs. They are two completely different markets. Little fish, Big fish. If you don't know which you are, we can probably guess.
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