15 ChatGPT Prompts for Chilling Halloween Photos
Halloween is the perfect time to get creative with photography. Whether you want spooky portraits, dark fantasy scenes, or horror-inspired shots, ChatGPT can help you generate exactly what you’re picturing.
I’ve been experimenting with AI image generation for Halloween content, and I’ve found that the more detailed your prompt, the better the results. The key is being specific about mood, lighting, clothing, and the small details that make an image feel real.
Head over to chatgpt.com, copy one of these prompts below, and let it work its magic. If you already have a photo you want to transform, just add “Transform this photo into” before any of these prompts, attach your image, and watch it become something entirely different.
I’ve tested all 15 of these, and each one delivers a distinct Halloween vibe.
Candle-Lit Stare
A tight, claustrophobic shot of a woman in a darkened room, lit only by a single, flickering candle she holds below her chin. She stares directly into the camera with unnerving, all-white or all-black contact lenses.
Stitched Doll Fantasy
A dark, gothic fantasy portrait of a mysterious woman with pale blue skin illuminated by eerie blue lighting. Her face and chest are marked with large, visible black stitches that resemble Frankenstein-style seams, creating a hauntingly beautiful stitched-doll appearance. She has long, wavy jet-black hair cascading over her shoulders, and wears dark, dramatic makeup — smoky eyes, black tears running down from her lower lashes, and deep burgundy lips. The woman is dressed in a black lace and leather corset, accentuating her form, and she extends one hand toward the viewer as if casting a spell or commanding energy. The background swirls with mist and blue smoke, enhancing the supernatural and cinematic mood. The lighting is moody and high contrast, with strong blue tones and deep shadows, evoking a dark fantasy or Halloween-inspired aesthetic.
Skull Contemplation
A dramatic portrait photo of a gothic woman holding a human skull close to her face, gazing at it with intense emotion, as if in deep conversation or contemplation. She has long, wavy black hair with striking platinum blonde streaks, styled in a half-up, half-down look. Her makeup is bold and glamorous, featuring shimmering eyeshadow, sharp eyeliner, and dark red lipstick. She wears a black, glittering sequined dress that catches the light subtly, paired with elegant black gloves. The background features an urban graffiti-covered brick wall, illuminated by colorful lighting — a mix of pink and blue hues that create a neon-inspired atmosphere. The lighting softly reflects off her outfit and hair, giving the image a cinematic, moody vibe reminiscent of modern gothic or cyber-noir portrait photography. The skull she holds is aged ivory in color, detailed and realistic, contrasting against her dark gloves.
Black Widow Queen
A gothic-inspired portrait photo of a woman posed gracefully in front of a large spiderweb backdrop with a giant black spider looming behind her. She wears a floor-length, black sequined gown that shimmers subtly under dramatic studio lighting. Her long, wavy blonde hair cascades elegantly over one shoulder, and her makeup features bold dark lipstick and defined eyes, giving her a mysterious yet regal aura. The scene is set against a moody gray-black background, with the spiderweb’s white threads sharply outlined for visual contrast. The woman’s confident pose—kneeling slightly with one hand raised and the other resting elegantly on her knee—evokes the essence of a modern gothic queen or an embodiment of a “Black Widow” archetype. The lighting is soft but directional, creating a cinematic shadow play that highlights the texture of her dress and the ominous presence of the spider.
Retro Horror Bike Ride
A cinematic retro-inspired scene of a young woman riding a bicycle down an empty suburban street at dusk, under a blood-red sky filled with ominous clouds. Her expression is tense and alert, as if she senses danger behind her. She wears a black varsity-style jacket over a hoodie, ripped jeans, and worn sneakers, with earphones trailing from her ears. Her long wavy hair fades from dark at the roots to vivid reddish-pink at the tips, catching the dim light of the sunset. In the background looms a colossal, shadowy spider towering over the houses, its spindly legs stretching across the street and rooftops, backlit by the eerie crimson glow of the sky. The scene has a gritty, cinematic look reminiscent of 1980s sci-fi horror movies—like a mix of Stranger Things and War of the Worlds. The lighting is dramatic and moody, with warm orange-red highlights and deep shadows. Subtle film grain and dust particles float in the air, adding a nostalgic, vintage film texture. The overall atmosphere is suspenseful and surreal, blending suburban realism with dark fantasy horror.
Slasher Mask Mystery
A moody, cinematic portrait photo of a woman holding a vintage hockey mask over half her face, evoking a mysterious and horror-inspired allure. Her long, wavy hair fades from deep brunette at the roots to a dusty rose at the ends, softly illuminated against a dark, blurred background. Her visible eye is framed with dramatic smoky eyeshadow and long lashes, while her lips painted in a muted terracotta tone, release a faint wisp of smoke, adding a sense of tension and attitude. She wears layered gold necklaces and a striped black-and-red top beneath a cozy gray sweater, combining casual streetwear with gothic chic. The mask she holds is aged ivory with worn red markings and black ventilation holes, reminiscent of a slasher movie icon, contrasting sharply with her refined appearance. The overall composition exudes a blend of beauty and menace, modern, stylish, and slightly rebellious.
Vampire’s Bath
A sensual, gothic cinematic portrait photo of a vampire woman emerging from a dark bath filled with red and black rose petals. Her wet, vibrant copper-orange hair clings to her shoulders as she gazes directly at the viewer with a confident, predatory smile that reveals sharp fangs. Her skin glows with a subtle sheen under dramatic low lighting, creating deep contrasts and reflections on the water’s surface. The background is dark and elegant, suggesting a luxurious but shadowy interior, perhaps an old mansion or candlelit chamber. The atmosphere feels intimate and dangerous, with steam or mist faintly rising from the bath, adding a sense of warmth and mystery. The color palette is rich and moody: deep blacks, blood reds, and warm amber highlights that catch the contours of her face and hair. The overall mood captures the allure of immortality and danger, beauty laced with menace.
Possessed Horror
A haunting black-and-white portrait photo of a gothic woman with a possessed, otherworldly expression. Her eyes are rolled back to reveal only the whites, creating a chilling, supernatural effect. Dark lipstick frames her open mouth as a large insect, such as a cockroach or beetle, emerges from her lips, while another crawls across her cheek. Her expression is eerie yet entranced, as if under a dark spell or in the midst of transformation. The lighting is stark and moody, casting dramatic shadows that emphasize the contours of her face and the wet, glistening texture of the insects. Subtle details, like a small nose ring and minimal jewelry, add realism and depth. A faint spiderweb pattern overlays the corners of the image, framing the composition and enhancing the gothic horror tone. The overall atmosphere feels like a blend of vintage horror photography and fine-art surrealism, a portrait of beauty corrupted by decay.
Scarecrow Spirit
A hauntingly beautiful portrait photo of a gothic scarecrow woman standing amidst a tall, dried cornfield under an overcast autumn sky. Her expression is both lifeless and mesmerizing, with pale skin, dark smudged eye makeup, and crimson lips that contrast sharply against the muted sepia tones of the field. Straw spills from her hair and clothing, blending her form into the corn stalks as if she were born of the harvest itself. She wears a tattered, earth-toned garment that looks aged and weathered, paired with a wide-brimmed black hat frayed at the edges. A single piece of straw dangles from her lips, adding a cinematic, unsettling calm to her demeanor. The lighting is soft and diffused, with the golden-brown hues of the cornfield surrounding her in a hazy, melancholic glow. The overall aesthetic evokes gothic folklore and rural horror, a modern take on the mythic scarecrow spirit.
Dark Clown Seduction
A haunting close-up portrait photo of a female clown with a darkly seductive twist, inspired by gothic and horror aesthetics. Her skin is pale white, contrasted by vivid crimson makeup, a smeared red nose, lips outlined sharply with a sinister curve that extends toward her cheeks, and delicate red lines that trace from her eyes down her face. Her amber eyes are intense and captivating, framed by long, dramatic lashes. Her hair is a deep red with streaks of magenta that catch the light softly, complementing the sinister vibrancy of her makeup. In the blurred foreground, a red balloon drifts partially into frame, adding mystery and depth while evoking a subtle sense of menace. The lighting is soft but dramatic, focused on her face, creating a painterly glow against a blurred, shadowy background. The overall composition blends horror and beauty, a tragic jester caught between allure and madness.
Zombie Office Worker
A darkly comedic, cinematic photo of a zombie office worker slumped over a modern corporate desk, typing wearily on a computer keyboard. The undead employee wears a tattered dress shirt with rolled-up sleeves, a loosened tie, and visible wounds on the neck and face. His skin is pale and decayed, with dark, sunken eyes surrounded by smudged black makeup, evoking exhaustion and decay in equal measure. The office setting is stark and sterile, bright fluorescent light filters through large windows, illuminating a row of empty desks and computers, creating a jarring contrast between the clean corporate environment and the grotesque, deteriorating worker. The zombie’s expression is blank and lifeless, embodying the monotony of modern work culture in a darkly satirical way. Subtle details like coffee stains, scattered papers, and a phone cord tangled on the desk add realism and irony, reinforcing the theme of corporate burnout turned literal.
Ghostly Victorian Haunt
A ghostly, cinematic portrait photo of a young woman standing before an old, decaying Victorian house enveloped in mist and twilight. She wears a flowing, pale blue gown with lace sleeves and ruffled cuffs, the fabric softly illuminated by the faint glow of a porch lantern. Her long, wavy hair cascades over her shoulders as she turns to glance back, her expression distant and melancholic, as if haunted by memories of the place behind her. The setting exudes gothic mystery: peeling woodwork, overgrown grass, and a staircase leading into shadow. The air is thick with fog, diffusing the evening light and creating an ethereal haze around her silhouette. The mood feels timeless, a blend of romance and tragedy, evoking the spirit of a spectral bride or a lingering ghost from a forgotten era.
Spellcasting Sorceress
Photo of a powerful and menacing sorceress stands at the edge of a glowing cobblestone path in a fantastical village, clutching an ancient broom made of gnarled wood and twine. Her skin glows faintly with an unnatural green hue, reflecting the eerie light of a storm brewing overhead. Dressed in flowing black robes and a sharply pointed hat, she exudes both elegance and menace. Her expression is fierce and commanding, as swirling magical energy gathers around her, sparks of red, gold, and emerald light illuminating the misty air. Behind her, small thatched cottages bow under the force of her spell, their colorful rooftops and windows flickering as if alive. The environment feels both whimsical and dangerous, blending fairytale wonder with dark fantasy intensity.
Swamp Witch
A haunting gothic portrait photo of a mysterious woman standing waist-deep in a dark, misty swamp. She wears a long flowing black dress with intricate lace details, her long jet-black hair cascading over her shoulders. Her makeup is dramatic with pale skin and bold black lipstick, creating a witchy, ethereal presence. Bare trees with twisted branches loom in the background under a gloomy overcast sky, adding to the eerie and cinematic Halloween atmosphere. The mood is moody, dramatic, and cinematic with soft focus and high detail.
Red Riding Hood’s Return
A gothic fairytale portrait photo of a mysterious woman standing in an autumn forest, cloaked in deep crimson robes and lace. Her long dark hair cascades over her shoulders, partly concealed beneath a tattered red hood that drapes elegantly around her face. She holds a small pumpkin nestled among withered branches and twigs, symbolizing both harvest and decay. Her makeup is dramatic yet ethereal, dark red lips, smoky eyes, and faint freckles that add a hint of innocence to her otherwise haunting presence. The surrounding trees are bare, their brittle leaves tinted in shades of rust and umber, and the muted light of dusk filters through the forest, casting a golden-brown haze that accentuates the red tones of her cloak. The atmosphere is both romantic and eerie, as if she is a guardian spirit of the woods or a cursed maiden waiting in eternal autumn. The composition blends gothic elegance with fairytale melancholy, evoking themes of transformation, mystery, and forgotten magic.
These prompts are just the starting point. Tweak the details if something doesn’t feel right, add different lighting, change the setting, adjust the mood. The more you play around, the better you’ll get at writing prompts that actually deliver what’s in your head.
Halloween content doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs to feel real, moody, and a little bit unsettling. These 15 prompts do exactly that. Go ahead and try them out.
