I am sharing something somewhat personal with my experience in the hobby and am hopeful that I do not get squashed for it.  Plus, I am fairly sure this one has not been out there often.

The subject is hobbying for trade.  In other words, I do some work for a provider, and the provider offers her services free.

I have been shooting pictures since I was 13 years old, and always had the fantasy of shooting nude models and screwing them after the session.  Since I have been in the hobby,  I have attempted, miserably I might ad, to establish myself as a photographer in the hobby.  My work is above "Guy with Camera" but below the established studio photographers in Chicago.

I have shot 3 providers in the past two years, one who has my photos on P411 currently.  In all three cases the provider approached me after she knew I had experience in portrait photography, and requested I do the work in return for a session "on the house".

In each case the sex I had with the provider was sub par compared to the experience I had with them when during a typical  session we all are used to.  It was rushed, with little enthusiasm on the part of the provider.

 
For those of you who think this happened because my work was crap,   I made it a habit of insuring the provider was happy with the photos before we jumped into bed.  Not happy with the work, no hanky panky, my policy.

I do not fault the the providers for behaving this way, not one bit. Let's face it, most often they need the cash and human nature being what it is, people work harder and perform better when they are rewarded.

So the lesson I have learned is a separation of church and state.  In other words, no work for trade deals.

Just my own experience I thought I would share.  

Someday I still would like to do the photographer/playboy centerfold fantasy - just for fun.  Have not tried that one yet

Sorry to hear the performance went down for payment.  
I occasional work with a lady who's husband used to shoot for Playboy back in the 60's early 70's.  Marilyn Monroe and many others were on the other end of his lenses.  He has since passed but she still has the boxes of negatives and proofs from those days gone by.  
I might add that she has told me that the majority of the girls were royal pain in the asses due to huge egos, drugs, alcohol and just plain ole' drama queens due to their popularity and beauty.  I point this out merely to your last statement "just for fun".  It may not turn out fun after all?

B

I did shoot one provider who was just that, a pain in the ass.

Needless to say, there was no interest on my end for "Payment"

Those negatives must be worth a small fortune!

We spent 3 hours dressing her up, tying her down, covering in whip cream, chocolate sauce, honey, milk and then washing her up. So much fun and so sexy. It helps that she was a former stripper and a great model, but it was just a great fun date. She gave me a little break on the rates but was worth every pwnny and now I have some great pics to remember our time. I'm no Annie Liebowicz, but she loved them too. The best is when she posts the pics from time to time. Makes my inner voyeur go schwing.

bartering is bartering..there are no guarantees..

On a few occasions, I have traded professional services with a provider.  I am not a photographer..

It generally has been more trouble than it is worth.  The providers usually do not follow through.  I blame my little head for making those deals.  On the surface, its seems like a good deal for both but usually one person will feel short-changed in the deal.  It is easier to just pay them and keep the relationship on that level.

The providers were provided the photos for their use (downloaded from my camera to their computer). They also had the right to delete them from my camera when we finished since I am an amateur photograph (good, but not professional for I would charge them if I were).  I enjoyed photographing models, and they received very nice photos for their use.  I don't make a living do a photography.  I haven't had a bird, dog, tree, flower, sunset, etc. pay me for taking photos, nor did I ask for sex in return, especially not from the dog.

I lived above a titty bar during my last two years in college. I cleaned up the place after they closed and got a break on rent.  

Long story short: the girls found out I was amateur photographer with my own darkroom etc. I ended up shooting some of their publicity shots.  All black and white. They all implied I would be "rewarded" for my work.  One gave me the worst blow job I ever had. That's all that ever happened.  All were pains in the ass.  

I'm sensing a theme in this thread.

Most people are not mature enough to be able to handle a relationship such as this.

A certain provider friend and I nearly always begin the session with me photographing her.   Nothing fancy just camera phone stuff.   We both get very aroused by it.   It is a lot of fun and erotic.  It is a big reason why I keep going back.  
I delete most of them and she trusts me to keep any that I want to myself, which I do