Bryan, you make some good points, and yes getting started in any business is tough. When I started the home inspection business it took a long time latch on to some good clients. Since I had already retired from my normal career have a decent income, and wife was still working, I could afford to wait for those who would pay well.
The new people that are trying this to make a living are going to have a rough road ahead of them, and I do understand why they take the low paying jobs. You can't tell me that a realtor that is listing a million plus dollar home can't afford to pay a photographer a respectable fee, they can, but as long as someone is willing to do it for little or nothing, guess who they are going to use. You are also correct, they normally get what they pay for.
My advice to the people wanting into this business, don't quite your day job until you are well established.