Do models have to pay to sign up?

No. PODIANE never charges models a sign-up fee, a course fee or a photo fee. A commission applies only when a booking is actually agreed, and it is paid by the company hiring.

Updated 2026-08-30

Why this question matters

Asking an aspiring model for money up front is the standard shape of fraud in this industry. It arrives as a “portfolio shoot fee”, a “registration fee” or an “academy course” — and the work never follows.

In legitimate casting, the model does not pay. That single rule prevents most of the harm done in this business.

How PODIANE charges

Signing up, building a profile, generating a comp card and applying to castings are all free.

A commission applies only when a booking is actually agreed. Messaging is never charged. Charging for contact makes companies ration their messages, and the cost of that lands on models as fewer opportunities.

If someone asks you for money

A brand that asks for payment inside the platform can be reported, and that brand is suspended.

If someone you met outside the platform asks for money up front, under any name, do not pay it.