Halloween is the one time of year when a witch hat, a velvet cloak, and a basket of red apples all make perfect sense in a photo. The whole season is built for dramatic, moody pictures.
The problem is that a real Halloween photoshoot takes a lot of work. You need a costume, props, the right location, and good light. Google Gemini lets you skip most of that and still get a photo that looks like it came from a proper shoot.
Go to gemini.google.com or open the Gemini app, start a new chat, and select Pro from the model options. Then copy any prompt below and paste it in.
I left out facial details in every prompt on purpose. That way you can upload your own photo as a reference, and Gemini will keep your face while it handles the costume, the setting, and the lighting.
1. Witch Sitting on a Giant Jack-o’-Lantern
This one has a storybook feel. A witch perched on a glowing pumpkin in an autumn forest, reading a spell book like it’s a normal afternoon.
Create a whimsical Halloween photo of a young woman with long, wavy copper red hair sitting sideways on top of an oversized carved jack-o’-lantern in an autumn forest. She is holding an open antique book in both hands and looking down at the pages, with her legs crossed at the ankles and dangling off the side of the pumpkin. She is wearing a tall black witch hat with a curled tip, a black lace choker, a fitted black lace bodice with long sheer lace sleeves, a short layered black tulle skirt, black opaque tights, and black lace-up heeled ankle boots. Smaller carved jack-o’-lanterns hang from the bare tree branches around her, and the ground is covered with dry orange and brown leaves. Shoot at eye level with a medium full-body frame and a soft blurred forest background. Use soft, overcast daylight with a warm glow coming from inside the pumpkins. The color palette is burnt orange, black, and muted brown, with a dreamy fairytale mood. Use aspect ratio 4:5.
2. Candlelit Gothic Seance
If you like the darker side of Halloween, this prompt gives you a Victorian mourning look with candles, lace, and a faint ghostly figure behind you.
Create a dark gothic portrait of a young woman with a sleek black bob and blunt bangs, seated behind a table with her hands raised in front of her chest, fingertips lightly touching in a slow, ritual gesture. She is wearing a black velvet Victorian gown with a high lace collar, puffed shoulders, and intricate lace sleeves, a black lace headpiece with a sheer black veil falling behind her, black pointed nails, and a large ruby cocktail ring. On the table in front of her is an antique brass three-arm candelabra with lit white candles and an old human skull prop resting on the right side. Behind her, a faint, translucent ghostly double of the same woman fades into the darkness like a double exposure. Shoot at eye level with a centered, symmetrical composition from the waist up. Use low-key lighting with the candles as the main warm light source and deep shadows everywhere else. The color palette is black, charcoal, and warm candle gold, with an eerie, haunted mood. Use aspect ratio 9:16.
3. Halloween Candy Night on the Living Room Floor
This one is more fun than spooky. It feels like the end of a Halloween party when you’re lying in a pile of candy and still in costume.
Create a cozy Halloween lifestyle photo of a young woman with long, wavy burgundy hair lying on her back on a patterned vintage rug, surrounded by scattered wrapped Halloween candy. She is holding a piece of chocolate in one raised hand while her other arm rests on the floor near a tipped-over jack-o’-lantern trick-or-treat bucket spilling candy. She is wearing a deep burgundy velvet mini dress, an oversized black leather jacket, a black choker with a layered silver necklace, black patterned tights with a small cross print, and chunky black platform combat boots. Around her are lit pillar candles in glass holders, small pumpkins, a skull decoration, a tiny ghost figurine, fall leaves, and the edge of a sofa with a skeleton print pillow and a plaid throw blanket. Shoot from directly overhead in a flat lay style, capturing her full body and the props around her. Use warm, soft indoor lighting from the candles and a nearby lamp. The color palette is burgundy, orange, black, and warm amber, with a playful and cozy mood. Use aspect ratio 9:16.
4. Holding a Candle in the Dark Woods
A simple close-up prompt that relies on candlelight and hand styling. The black pointed nails and stacked silver rings do most of the work here.
Create an intimate close-up portrait of a woman with curly auburn hair, wearing a black hooded cloak with the hood draped over her head, standing in a dark forest at dusk. She is holding a thick lit white pillar candle close to her chest with both hands, her long fingers wrapped around it. She has long black pointed nails, several ornate silver rings stacked on her fingers, a delicate silver necklace, and a black lace top visible under the cloak. Shoot at eye level with a tight crop from the chest up, focusing on her hands and the candle. The only strong light comes from the candle flame, casting a warm glow upward while the background of trees and leaves falls into a dark, blurred green. The color palette is deep green, black, and warm candle orange, with a mysterious, quiet mood. Use aspect ratio 4:5.
5. Studio Witch Against a Burnt Orange Backdrop
This is the fashion editorial version of a witch costume. Clean studio backdrop, bold pose, and a lot of black velvet.
Create a high-fashion Halloween studio portrait of a young woman with very long, loose brown waves standing with one hand on her hip and her body slightly angled while facing the camera. She is wearing a wide-brimmed black witch hat, a fitted black velvet long-sleeve romper with a high neck and a keyhole cutout at the front, a thin black belt with a gold square buckle, black gloves, and sheer black tights. Shoot at eye level with a three-quarter length frame from the head to mid-thigh. Use soft but directional studio lighting from the front left with gentle shadows on the right side. The background is a seamless burnt orange to deep coral gradient paper backdrop. The color palette is black velvet against warm orange, with a bold, glamorous editorial mood. Use aspect ratio 4:5.
6. Red Cloak and a Basket of Apples
A dark fairytale look that mixes Little Red Riding Hood with a hint of the poisoned apple story. The red satin cloak really stands out against the forest.
Create a dark fairytale photo of a young woman with long, voluminous black curls walking slowly through a pine forest, glancing over her shoulder to the side. One hand lightly touches her hair near her collarbone and the other holds a wire basket filled with shiny red apples. She is wearing a floor-length black gown with short sleeves and a gathered waist, and a long red satin hooded cloak draped over her shoulders with the hood up, flowing down to the ground. She has a thin silver bracelet on her wrist. Shoot at eye level with a full-body frame and a shallow depth of field so the tree trunks behind her blur softly. Use soft, diffused afternoon light filtering through the trees with a gentle warm haze in the background. The ground is covered with green grass and fallen pine needles. The color palette is deep red, black, and forest green, with a mysterious storybook mood. Use aspect ratio 9:16.
7. Queen of the Ravens
This one is my favorite of the set. Ravens on both shoulders, a feathered crown, and a foggy forest make it feel like a movie poster.
Create a dramatic gothic fantasy portrait of a young woman with long, dark brown waves standing still in a foggy autumn forest with her head tilted slightly upward in a calm, meditative pose. Her hands are pressed gently against her chest, one over the other. She is wearing a tall black and bronze feathered crown decorated with dark beads, a black lace high-neck gown with beaded embroidery, large black feather shoulder pieces that look like wings, dark gemstone rings, black nails, and ornate silver cuff bracelets. A black raven is perched on each of her shoulders, and several more ravens fly through the mist behind her. Shoot at eye level from the waist up with a centered composition. Use soft, cold, diffused light coming through thick fog, with muted shadows. The background shows bare gray trees fading into white mist and a few dry leaves on the branches. The color palette is black, cool gray, and muted bronze, with a haunting, regal mood. Use aspect ratio 9:16.
8. Tarot Reader in the Grass at Twilight
A laid-back witchy look for anyone who prefers something softer than a full costume. The tarot cards and a single candle set the whole mood.
Create a moody twilight photo of a young woman with long, straight dark auburn hair and wispy bangs lying on her stomach on a grassy field, propped up on her elbows. She is holding a single tarot card up beside her head with one hand, while her other hand rests on the grass near a spread of tarot cards laid out in front of her. She is wearing a simple black slip dress, layered delicate gold necklaces, silver rings, and a thin beaded bracelet. A lit pillar candle in a glass jar sits in the foreground among the cards. Shoot from a low angle close to the ground, at her eye level, with a shallow depth of field. Use the soft purple and pink light of dusk from behind, with the candle adding a warm glow on the cards. The background shows a blurred line of dark trees and a pale evening sky. The color palette is dusky purple, dark green, and warm candle gold, with a calm, witchy mood. Use aspect ratio 4:5.
9. Moon Witch in the Golden Woods
This one leans into autumn gold instead of the usual Halloween orange. It feels calm and a little mystical rather than scary.
Create an ethereal autumn portrait of a young woman with long, straight black hair crouching low among tall wild grass and small yellow flowers in a golden forest. She is resting her chin on one hand while her other arm rests across her knee, holding a small twig of yellow flowers near her face. She is wearing a dark plum velvet hooded cloak with the hood up, a black lace blouse with flared sleeves, a silver crescent moon pendant on a long chain, and several ornate silver rings. Shoot from a low angle through the foreground flowers and grass, which appear softly blurred in front of the lens. Use warm, bright autumn sunlight filtering through yellow leaves with a soft glow and gentle lens haze. The background shows a large tree trunk and bright golden foliage. The color palette is golden yellow, plum, and black, with a dreamy, enchanted mood. Use aspect ratio 9:16.
10. Misty Forest Witch with Striped Stockings
To finish, a playful witch look with a bit of vintage flair. The striped stockings and the big hat give it a fun, slightly quirky vibe.
Create a cinematic Halloween photo of a young woman with long, straight black hair and blunt bangs standing in the middle of a misty forest path, holding the brim of a large black witch hat with both hands raised above her head. She is wearing a wide-brimmed black hat with a sheer black tulle veil, an oversized rust red satin blouse with long puffed sleeves and a loose V-neck, a short black pleated skirt, and black and white striped knee-high stockings. Shoot from a slightly low angle with a three-quarter body frame and the forest path leading behind her. Use soft, hazy backlight filtering through thick fog between the trees, with muted shadows on the ground. The background shows tall dark tree trunks, fallen leaves, and a few branches with dry autumn leaves. The color palette is rust red, black, and smoky gray, with a moody vintage film look. Use aspect ratio 9:16.
If you want the photo to look like you, upload a clear, well-lit photo of your face along with the prompt. Gemini will keep your features and build the costume and scene around you.
You can also swap out small details to make any prompt your own. Change the hair color, the costume color, or the location, and you’ll get a completely different Halloween photo from the same prompt.