“Hi, we are a start-up hard rock band from Knäckebröhult who like your pictures! Can you do a free cover for our full-length album we might record when perhaps we get a record deal? We have no money, but we promise to tell all our friends and our four followers on facebook about your work!”
I work full time as an illustrator. I pay rent and buy food, paper, paint, etc. This means, just like in any other job, that I do need to get paid for my work.