My subscription-free photo editor is growing up. Here's what I've learned and what's next.
Hey Indie Hackers,
A while back, I posted here about my project, Nenis. It started from a simple frustration: I just wanted to fix a few old family photos without getting locked into a monthly subscription. The response was incredible and confirmed I wasn't alone in wanting a powerful, pay-as-you-go alternative for creative tools.
Since then, I've been heads-down, listening to feedback and figuring out what "powerful but simple" really means. The journey so far has been a lesson in itself.
From "Fixing" to "Creating"
The initial tools were all about fixing problems: removing backgrounds, restoring scratches, and upscaling blurry images. And that's been great. But the most interesting feedback I got was from users who started using these "fix-it" tools in unexpected, creative ways.
Someone used the background remover to create a collage for their kid's birthday card. Another used the restoration tool on a new photo just to give it a cool, vintage vibe.
It was a lightbulb moment: people don't just want to fix what's broken; they want a playground to explore their creativity.
The Next Step: A Creative Playground
That insight led directly to the biggest update I've shipped yet. I've added a new set of AI Filters that let you completely reimagine your photos.
It's not about subtle tweaks anymore. It’s about taking a photo you already have and asking, "What if this was a scene from a Studio Ghibli movie?" or "What if this was a Lego set?"
Here’s a glimpse of what it can do:
This feels like the natural evolution of the project. It’s still built on the same core principles—no subscriptions, credits that never expire—but now it's not just a utility. It's a tool for pure, creative fun.
The Journey Continues
Building this in the open and hearing from this community has been the most rewarding part. It's pushed the project in directions I never expected.
If you're curious to see how it's grown, I'd love for you to check it out. Every new user still gets 50 free credits to play with all the tools, including the new AI Filters. It's more than enough to get a feel for what's possible.
You can try it here: https://nenis.ai
What started as a simple tool to fix my own problem is slowly becoming a full creative suite, and it's thanks to the feedback from communities like this one.
Thanks for reading and for being part of the journey. What do you all think of this direction?
