Turning a regular photo into an editorial-style portrait used to take a professional camera, the right lighting, and someone behind the lens who knew what they were doing. Gemini can now do most of that work with a single prompt and a photo of you.
Google’s Nano Banana model is especially good at this. It handles lighting, skin tones, and fabric texture in a way that looks like an actual photo shoot rather than an obvious AI image.
To try it, go to gemini.google.com or open the Gemini app on your phone. Start a new conversation, select Pro from the model options, and upload a clear photo of yourself. Paste in any prompt below and Gemini will use your photo as the base for the new portrait.
Here are 21 prompts to get you started. Each one includes specific posing, lighting, and background details so the result looks intentional instead of random.
1. Golden Hour Backlit Portrait
Backlighting is one of the easiest ways to make a portrait feel cinematic.
Create a close-up portrait of a young woman standing in an open meadow at golden hour, facing slightly away from the sun so the light rims her hair and shoulders in a warm glow. She stands with her chin tilted down slightly and her eyes looking up toward the camera, one hand gently brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. She wears a flowy ivory sundress with thin straps and delicate layered necklaces. Her hair falls in soft loose waves, catching the light at the edges. Shoot at eye level with a shallow depth of field. The background shows a blurred field of tall golden grass fading into a warm orange and pink sky. The mood is soft, romantic, and sun-drenched with warm amber tones throughout. Use aspect ratio 4:5.
2. Black and White Studio Portrait
Stripping out color puts all the attention on expression and light.
Create a dramatic black and white studio portrait of a young man seated on a simple wooden stool against a plain charcoal-gray backdrop. He leans forward slightly with his forearms resting on his knees, hands loosely clasped, and his gaze locked directly on the camera with a calm, serious expression. He wears a fitted black crewneck sweater with the sleeves pushed up to the forearms. His hair is short and neatly styled, with light stubble along his jawline. The camera is positioned at eye level, straight on, with a tight crop from the chest up. A single studio softbox lights him from one side, creating deep shadow on the opposite side of his face for a moody, high-contrast look. The photo style is minimal and editorial, entirely in black and white with rich blacks and soft highlights. Use aspect ratio 4:5.
3. Rainy City Window Portrait
This one leans into mood, using rain and glass for texture.
Create a moody indoor portrait of a young woman sitting on a windowsill in a dim apartment, knees pulled up to her chest, one arm wrapped around her legs and the other resting on the glass. Rain streaks down the window beside her, blurring the city lights outside into soft bokeh circles. She wears an oversized cream knit sweater and gray sweatpants, with her hair loosely tied in a low bun and a few strands falling around her face. Her expression is quiet and reflective, looking out toward the window rather than at the camera. The camera is positioned at a slight side angle, capturing her profile against the glow from outside. Lighting is low and cool-toned, coming mostly from the city lights and a small warm lamp just out of frame. The mood is calm, cinematic, and a little melancholic, in soft blues and warm ambers. Use aspect ratio 4:5.
4. Quiet Luxury Estate Portrait
The old money aesthetic is all about restraint, not logos.
Create an editorial portrait of a man standing at the top of a stone staircase outside a large estate home, one hand resting on the stone railing and the other tucked into his trouser pocket. His posture is upright and relaxed, shoulders back, looking off to the side with a calm, composed expression. He wears a fitted navy blazer over a white button-down shirt, with slim beige trousers, brown leather loafers, and no socks. His hair is neatly combed to the side. The camera is positioned slightly below him, looking up to add presence, with the grand stone facade and manicured hedges softly blurred behind him. Lighting is soft, overcast daylight that keeps colors muted and natural. The photo style is quiet, refined, and understated, in a neutral palette of cream, navy, and stone gray. Use aspect ratio 4:5.
5. Dark Academia Library Portrait
Warm lamp light and old books make for an instantly moody frame.
Create a portrait of a young woman sitting cross-legged on the floor of an old library, surrounded by tall wooden bookshelves packed with worn hardcover books. She holds an open book in her lap, looking down at the pages with a soft, thoughtful expression, one hand resting on the open spine. She wears a fitted brown turtleneck sweater with a plaid wool blazer over it, paired with dark green trousers. Her hair is parted in the middle and falls naturally past her shoulders, with small gold hoop earrings visible. The camera is positioned slightly above her, angled down at a three-quarter view. Lighting comes from a warm brass desk lamp just out of frame, casting golden light across her face while the rest of the room falls into soft shadow. The mood is scholarly and intimate, in deep browns, greens, and warm amber tones. Use aspect ratio 4:5.
6. Clean Girl Minimalist Mirror Portrait
This is the simplest setup on the list, and one of the most flattering.
Create a clean, minimal mirror selfie portrait of a young woman standing in a bright, uncluttered bathroom with white tile walls. She holds her phone up at chest height with one hand, angled slightly, while her other arm rests naturally at her side. She wears a fitted white ribbed tank top and low-rise light denim jeans, with her hair slicked back into a sleek low bun and minimal gold jewelry. Her skin looks fresh and dewy with light, natural makeup. The camera angle is a straight-on mirror reflection at chest height. Lighting is bright, soft, and diffused, like natural daylight coming through a nearby window, with no harsh shadows. The photo style is clean, minimal, and effortless, in a soft neutral palette of white, beige, and light gray. Use aspect ratio 9:16.
7. Editorial Color Gel Studio Portrait
Colored gel lighting turns a plain studio shot into something bold.
Create a bold editorial studio portrait of a young man standing against a plain black backdrop, body angled slightly to the side with his chin lifted and eyes looking straight into the camera. His posture is confident and still, one hand loosely tucked into his jacket pocket. He wears an oversized black satin bomber jacket over a plain white t-shirt. His hair is short and textured on top. The camera is positioned at eye level, tight crop from the waist up. Lighting comes from two colored gels, magenta on one side of his face and deep blue on the other, blending into purple where they overlap, with the rest of the frame falling into shadow. The photo style is high-fashion and graphic, with saturated, punchy color and sharp contrast. Use aspect ratio 1:1.
8. Vintage Film Grain Portrait
This one is built to look like it came off a roll of film, not a phone.
Create a vintage-style portrait of a young woman leaning against a faded brick wall on a quiet street, one foot propped against the wall behind her and her arms crossed loosely. She looks off to the side with a relaxed, candid half-smile, as if caught mid-conversation. She wears high-waisted straight-leg jeans, a fitted ribbed brown turtleneck, and gold hoop earrings, with her hair in loose curtain bangs. The camera is at eye level, shot straight on with a slight tilt for a candid feel. Lighting is soft, overcast daylight with warm undertones. The photo style mimics 35mm film, with visible grain, slightly faded colors, soft contrast, and a warm, nostalgic tone throughout. Use aspect ratio 4:5.
9. Cozy Autumn Sweater Portrait
Fall colors do a lot of the work in this one.
Create a warm autumn portrait of a young woman sitting on a wooden porch step surrounded by scattered orange and red maple leaves, knees drawn up and arms wrapped around them, head tilted slightly with a soft smile. She wears a chunky cream cable-knit sweater, brown corduroy pants, and suede ankle boots, with her hair in loose waves and a knit beanie pushed back off her forehead. The camera is positioned slightly below eye level, angled up gently. Lighting is soft afternoon sun filtering through overhead branches, casting dappled light and warm shadows across the scene. The background shows a blurred yard scattered with fallen leaves and the edge of a wooden fence. The mood is cozy and nostalgic, in warm oranges, browns, and muted golds. Use aspect ratio 4:5.
10. Beach Sunset Silhouette Portrait
Silhouettes work best with a strong light source and a simple pose.
Create a wide beach portrait of a man standing at the edge of the shoreline as waves roll in around his ankles, arms relaxed at his sides and head turned slightly to look out at the horizon. He wears a loose linen shirt, mostly unbuttoned, with rolled-up linen pants, his hair slightly damp from the sea breeze. The sun sits low on the horizon directly behind him, turning him into a soft silhouette rimmed with bright orange light. The camera is positioned at a low angle, close to the waterline, shooting across the beach toward the sunset. The sky is filled with deep orange, pink, and purple gradients reflecting off the wet sand. The photo style is cinematic and wide, emphasizing scale and warm color. Use aspect ratio 16:9.
11. Neon City Night Portrait
Neon signage adds color without needing any extra lighting gear.
Create a night portrait of a young woman standing on a city sidewalk under glowing neon signs in pink and blue, one hand tucked into her jacket pocket and the other holding a small clutch bag at her side. She looks directly into the camera with a confident, relaxed expression, weight shifted onto one hip. She wears an oversized black leather jacket over a fitted black slip dress, with silver hoop earrings and dark smoky eye makeup. Her hair is straight and sleek. The camera is at eye level, shot straight on with the neon signs softly blurred in the background. Lighting comes entirely from the neon glow, casting pink and blue reflections across her face and the wet pavement below. The photo style is moody and cinematic, with rich saturated color. Use aspect ratio 4:5.
12. Cottagecore Garden Portrait
This one is soft, floral, and a little storybook.
Create a soft, romantic portrait of a young woman standing in an overgrown cottage garden filled with wildflowers, holding a small bundle of freshly picked daisies close to her chest with both hands. She looks down gently at the flowers with a peaceful smile. She wears a flowing white cotton dress with puffed sleeves and delicate lace trim, with her hair loosely braided and a few loose flowers tucked into it. The camera is positioned at eye level, slightly close, with a shallow depth of field that blurs the wildflowers and a small wooden garden fence in the background. Lighting is soft, diffused morning light with a gentle haze. The mood is dreamy and gentle, in soft pastel greens, whites, and muted yellows. Use aspect ratio 4:5.
13. Professional Headshot Portrait
Useful for LinkedIn, a website bio, or anywhere you need a polished headshot.
Create a professional headshot portrait of a young man standing against a smooth, softly lit gray backdrop, shoulders squared to the camera and arms relaxed at his sides. His expression is warm and approachable, with a slight, confident smile and direct eye contact with the camera. He wears a well-fitted navy suit jacket over a light blue button-down shirt, no tie, with his hair neatly styled. The camera is at eye level, cropped from the mid-chest up. Lighting is soft and even, using a large diffused key light with gentle fill to avoid harsh shadows, giving a clean, corporate look. The photo style is polished and professional, in neutral tones with natural skin color and sharp focus. Use aspect ratio 1:1.
14. Winter Snowfall Portrait
Falling snow adds movement without needing any extra editing.
Create a winter portrait of a young woman standing in a quiet snow-covered park as light snow falls around her, hands tucked into the pockets of her coat and shoulders slightly hunched against the cold. She looks toward the camera with a soft, content expression, cheeks lightly flushed pink. She wears a long camel-colored wool coat, a chunky knit scarf, and a beanie, with loose strands of hair dusted with snowflakes. The camera is at eye level, medium close-up, with softly falling snow visible in the foreground and background. The background shows blurred bare trees and a pale gray winter sky. Lighting is soft and diffused, typical of an overcast snowy day. The mood is calm and crisp, in cool whites, grays, and warm camel tones. Use aspect ratio 4:5.
15. Retro 90s Disposable Camera Portrait
The direct flash and slight grain are what sell this look.
Create a retro-style portrait of a young man standing in a dimly lit hallway, leaning one shoulder against the wall with his hands in his pockets and a relaxed, slightly amused smile directed at the camera. He wears a graphic band t-shirt tucked into loose-fit jeans, with a silver chain necklace and tousled hair. The camera angle is straight on, close range, as if someone is holding a small point-and-shoot camera at arm’s length. Lighting comes from a direct on-camera flash, creating slightly harsh, bright light on his face with soft shadows behind him and a slight vignette at the edges. The photo style mimics a 1990s disposable camera, with visible grain, a warm color cast, and a slightly washed-out look. Use aspect ratio 4:5.
16. Renaissance Painterly Portrait
This one borrows lighting from classical oil painting.
Create a painterly portrait of a young woman seated in a dim room, turned slightly to the side with her hands folded gently in her lap and her face turned toward a single light source, gaze calm and direct. She wears a deep emerald green velvet gown with fitted sleeves and a modest neckline, with her hair swept back into a low, soft updo. The camera angle is a classic three-quarter view at chest height. Lighting is dramatic chiaroscuro, a single warm light source from one side illuminating her face and chest while the background falls into deep shadow, similar to a Renaissance oil painting. The background is a plain, dark, textured wall with no visible detail. The color palette is rich and muted, dominated by deep greens, browns, and warm skin tones. Use aspect ratio 4:5.
17. Coffee Shop Candid Portrait
A window seat with good light is one of the easiest settings to recreate.
Create a candid portrait of a young man sitting at a small wooden table by a coffee shop window, both hands wrapped around a ceramic coffee cup, looking down at it with a relaxed, thoughtful expression. He wears a soft olive-green flannel shirt over a plain white tee, with slightly tousled hair and a light beard. The camera is positioned across the table at eye level, capturing him from the chest up with a shallow depth of field that blurs the background. Soft natural light pours in from the window beside him, catching the steam rising from the cup. The background shows a softly blurred coffee shop interior with warm string lights and wooden shelving. The mood is calm and unposed, in warm neutral tones. Use aspect ratio 4:5.
18. Desert Golden Hour Portrait
Red rock and open sky give this one a wide, cinematic feel.
Create a wide portrait of a young woman standing on a red desert rock formation at golden hour, arms raised slightly at her sides as a light breeze catches the fabric of her dress, head tilted back with her eyes closed. She wears a flowing rust-orange maxi dress with thin straps, with her hair loose and wind-blown. The camera is positioned at a low angle, shooting slightly upward to place her against the vast open sky. Lighting is warm and golden, with the low sun casting long shadows across the textured red rock. The background shows layered desert mesas fading into a soft orange and lavender sky. The photo style is cinematic and expansive, with rich warm tones and a sense of scale. Use aspect ratio 16:9.
19. Elegant Tuxedo Evening Portrait
This one works well for anything black-tie or formal.
Create a formal evening portrait of a man standing in a dimly lit ballroom, one hand adjusting his cufflink and the other resting in his trouser pocket, chin slightly lowered as he looks up at the camera with a composed, confident expression. He wears a fitted black tuxedo with a satin lapel, a crisp white shirt, and a black bow tie, with his hair neatly slicked back. The camera is at eye level, medium close-up, straight on. Lighting is warm and low, coming from an out-of-frame chandelier that creates soft golden highlights on his face and shoulders while the background falls into soft shadow. The background shows blurred string lights and the edge of an ornate gold-framed mirror. The mood is refined and cinematic, in deep blacks and warm golden tones. Use aspect ratio 4:5.
20. Misty Forest Portrait
Fog does most of the atmosphere here, so the pose can stay simple.
Create a moody portrait of a man standing among tall pine trees in a foggy forest, one hand resting against the bark of a nearby tree, looking off into the distance with a calm, still expression. He wears a dark green flannel jacket over a plain black shirt, with rugged brown boots and slightly damp, tousled hair. The camera is positioned at eye level, slightly to the side, with layers of mist visible between the trees behind him. Lighting is soft and diffused, filtering through the fog to create a flat, even glow with no harsh shadows. The background shows tall pine trunks fading into thick white mist. The mood is quiet and atmospheric, in muted greens, grays, and soft whites. Use aspect ratio 4:5.
21. Polaroid Candid Portrait
This closes out the list with a fun, low-key finish.
Create a candid polaroid-style portrait of a young woman sitting on a porch step, one leg tucked under her and the other bent with her arm resting on her knee, laughing naturally with her eyes slightly closed as if caught off guard. She wears a simple yellow sundress and white sneakers, with her hair in loose pigtail braids. The camera angle is straight on, close range, as if a friend snapped the photo quickly. Lighting is bright, direct midday sun, slightly overexposed with soft, faded colors. The photo style mimics an instant film photo, with a slightly washed-out look, soft focus at the edges, and a warm, candid, unposed feel. Use aspect ratio 1:1.
Feel free to adjust any of these. Swap the clothing, change the setting, or tweak the lighting until it matches what you’re picturing. If a prompt describes a woman and you’re a guy, or the other way around, just swap the pronouns and a couple of details, the pose and lighting still work.
Upload a clear, well-lit photo of yourself before you start. It gives Gemini more to work with and gets you a portrait that actually looks like you, not just a generic AI face.