Maybe all the non-paying jobs are having an effect on rates generally? I just took a quick look at creative services ads on LA Craigslist and found two photographers willing to do headshots for under $100 ($50 and $90 respectively), and a video production company offering to do music videos (from pre- to post-) for as little as $300:
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb...915826763.html