FAQ

Common questions, answered plainly. Search, or scroll.

For models

Does it cost anything to be on Nielou?: No. Nielou is free for models, always — you never pay to join, to be seen, or to be booked. If anyone asks you for money to use Nielou, it isn't us.
How do I get booked?: Build your profile and set your rate, then apply to Open Offers from verified agencies with one click. The agency reviews applicants and chooses — you decide what to accept.
Do I keep my full rate?: Yes. Your published rate is what you receive, in full. Nielou's fee is added on top and paid by the agency, so nothing is taken out of your pay.
Can I be on Nielou if I'm under 18?: No. Nielou is 18+. Your date of birth is checked when you sign up, and accounts under 18 are not accepted. A supervised path for 16- and 17-year-olds, with verification by a parent or guardian, is planned — it is not open yet.
Who can see my profile?: No one, until you switch it to public. Your profile stays private by default, and you can switch back to private at any time.
What happens to my photos?: You keep the rights to your photos. Uploading grants Nielou a limited licence to display them so agencies can find you — remove a photo, or go private, and that display stops.

How do I post a shoot?: Once your agency is verified, you can post an Open Offer for models to apply to, or book a model directly at their published rate.
What are the fees?: The model's published rate goes to the model in full. Nielou's platform fee is added on top of that rate, so pricing is honest on both sides.
How does payment work?: Payments are not live yet — Nielou does not charge or hold any money today. How it is designed to work: once you select a model, payment is held in escrow, so both sides know exactly where things stand before the shoot.
What happens if I cancel a booking?: Nothing is billed today, because payments are not live yet. The terms these will run on: cancelling is free up to 7 days before the job. Inside 7 days, 50% of the agreed fee is owed to the model; inside 48 hours, 100%. Reserved time has a price. Force majeure (illness with a doctor's note, weather on outdoor shoots) becomes a reschedule credit instead — no fee.
Can I get a refund if I don't like the photos?: No — completed work is non-refundable. Modeling is a service (time, presence, professionalism), not a satisfaction guarantee on the pictures. Refunds only apply to documented no-shows or fraud, raised within the dispute window after the job.

What if I feel unsafe at a job?: You walk away — at any point, no negotiation on set. A safety cancellation never costs you money: you keep your full agreed pay, and the platform investigates the client before they can book again. Walk-away right, pay protected. Report it afterwards via hello@nielou.app with SAFETY in the subject line.
Something feels unsafe — what do I do?: Email hello@nielou.app with SAFETY in the subject line and we'll look the same day. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, contact your local emergency services first.
What are common warning signs?: Being asked to pay to work, pressure to move off-platform before a booking, no written terms, requests for nude or suggestive images (never allowed for minors), or being asked for ID or bank details before a confirmed booking.
Can someone contact me off-platform?: Keep everything on Nielou — it protects you and keeps a clean record. Off-platform contact with anyone under 18 is never permitted.

How do I get help?: Email hello@nielou.app — we're a small team and usually reply within a few days.
How do I report or block someone?: You can report or block anyone from the platform, or email hello@nielou.app and we'll take it from there — quietly.

Still stuck? Read the Model Guide or Agent Guide, or reach Support.