o, you give a client the world when all they give you is a little budget. All you want is clients and you will bend over backwards in order to get just one. That's pretty much what happens when you first start out in your career. I have done my fair share of underpaid and over-delivered work. And I have to admit I still do some but I know my worth now and some jobs just aren't worth it. And you know what? It's ok. It got me where I am today and will get me where I want to go tomorrow. Don't beat yourself up over taking jobs that are not the best paying (but it is ok to say no, trust me, you will survive!). Think of it as a chance to add something great to your portfolio that you will use to get bigger and better clients. I once did an illustration early in my career that was a basic farm scene. Nothing spectacular about the project or the budget, but I wanted to do a really good job and I know I spent way more time on it than I should just because #1: maybe they would work with me again on something bigger and #2: I needed to fill my portfolio. I have gotten 4 jobs, that I know of, that were directly from seeing that one illustration and the clients referenced it in their first contact. See, bigger and better. Don't think of it as paying your dues in the industry, think of it as gaining future clients!