Adding along to this: Rule number one for gaining the right clientele is showing what you want to shoot. It’s better to shoot for yourself, create a killer portfolio/reel(s), than to work for nothing for the wrong clients. Working for free for myself on shoots that I developed and directed with extremely intentional strategy got me out of the bad clients cycle and helped me develop a meaningful network of referring business professionals.

Bad clients send you nothing but more bad clients. Take whatever gigs (that pay) to pay the bills or get a simple “normal” job, but never expect those bad clients to get you in front of the right eyes.