20 Google Gemini Prompts for New York Street Photos
New York City is one of the most photographed places on the planet. From the yellow cabs to the towering skyscrapers, every corner tells a story. But here’s the thing: you don’t need to fly to NYC to capture that iconic street energy anymore.
I’ve been using Google Gemini’s latest image model, Nano Banana Pro, to create realistic New York street photos. And honestly the results are impressive. This model has become my go-to for generating authentic city shots that look like they were taken by an actual street photographer.
The process is simple. Head over to gemini.google.com or open the Gemini app. Start a new conversation and select ‘Pro’ from the options. Then paste one of the prompts below. You can even upload your own photo as a reference if you want to put yourself in the scene.
I’ve put together 20 detailed prompts that cover different aspects of New York street photography. Each one is specific enough to give you consistent, high-quality results.
Confident SoHo Stroll
Create a full-body street style photograph of a confident young woman in her late 20s walking on a cobblestone street in SoHo, NYC. She wears an oversized camel wool coat, black leather pants, white sneakers, and carries a small designer crossbody bag. Her posture is relaxed with one hand in her coat pocket, mid-stride with windswept hair. Shot from a low angle at street level, the background features iconic cast-iron buildings with fire escapes, a vintage parked taxi, and soft golden hour sunlight casting long shadows. The scene includes blurred pedestrians in the distance and steam rising from a subway grate. Shallow depth of field with the subject in sharp focus. Use aspect ratio 1:1.

Empty Times Square at Dawn
Create a serene photograph of Times Square completely empty at dawn before the city wakes. The famous intersection stretches forward with no people or moving vehicles. Massive digital billboards display frozen advertisements in bright colors against the pale blue pre-sunrise sky. Scattered yellow taxi cabs are parked along the curbs. Wet pavement from overnight cleaning reflects the billboard lights perfectly. Shot from street level looking north, the perspective emphasizes the canyon of buildings. Soft pink and purple clouds visible between skyscrapers. Quiet, almost surreal atmosphere. Use aspect ratio 1:1.

Rainy Times Square Evening
Create a cinematic street photograph of a stylish man in his 30s standing at a crosswalk in Times Square during a rainy evening. He wears a fitted black trench coat, dark jeans, and holds a transparent umbrella above his head. His gaze is directed slightly off-camera with a contemplative expression. Shot from a medium distance at eye level, the wet pavement reflects neon billboard lights in vibrant pinks, blues, and yellows. Blurred yellow taxis and crowds with umbrellas fill the background. Raindrops visible in the air catch the colorful lights. Moody atmosphere with rich contrast between shadows and illuminated signs. Use aspect ratio 1:1.

Brooklyn Bridge Morning Run
Create a lifestyle photograph of a young professional woman jogging on the Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian path during early morning golden hour. She wears fitted black leggings, a cropped gray athletic top, and wireless earbuds. Her ponytail swings mid-motion, expression focused and determined. Shot from a three-quarter angle slightly ahead of her, the iconic bridge cables create geometric patterns overhead. The Manhattan skyline glows soft orange and pink in the background with One World Trade Center prominent. A few other joggers and cyclists appear blurred in the distance. Crisp morning light with lens flare near the edge of frame. Use aspect ratio 1:1.

Chinatown Alley at Night
Create a moody photograph of a narrow alley in Chinatown during a nighttime rain shower. Red paper lanterns hang overhead on strings, their glow reflecting on the wet cobblestones below. Neon signs in Chinese characters illuminate the scene in pink, green, and orange. Steam rises from a restaurant vent. Stacked wooden crates and metal barrels line the walls. Fire escapes zigzag up the brick buildings on either side. Puddles create perfect mirror reflections of all the lights. Shot from one end of the alley looking through to the busy street beyond. No people visible, creating a mysterious, cinematic atmosphere. Use aspect ratio 1:1.

East Village Coffee Run
Create a candid street photograph of a creative young man in his mid-20s exiting a corner coffee shop in the East Village. He wears a vintage band t-shirt under an unbuttoned flannel, cuffed raw denim jeans, and worn-in boots. He holds a to-go coffee cup and has a tote bag slung over one shoulder. His posture is casual, looking down at his phone with a slight smile. Shot from across the narrow street at a slight diagonal angle, the background shows colorful graffiti murals, a fire hydrant, vintage signage, and brownstone buildings with plants on window sills. Soft overcast lighting creates even tones. Use aspect ratio 1:1.

Bow Bridge in Autumn
Create a dreamy photograph of the iconic Bow Bridge in Central Park during peak autumn foliage. The elegant white cast-iron bridge arches over the calm Lake, its reflection creating a perfect mirror image in the still water. Trees explode in vibrant oranges, reds, and yellows surrounding the scene. The San Remo towers rise in the distant background through a gap in the trees. Fallen leaves float on the water surface near the shore. Morning mist hovers slightly above the lake. Shot from the eastern shore at water level, the composition centers the bridge perfectly. Soft diffused morning light creates a painterly quality. Use aspect ratio 1:1.

Grand Central Terminal Rush
Create a dramatic photograph of a businesswoman in her 40s walking purposefully through the main concourse of Grand Central Terminal. She wears a tailored navy power suit, pointed heels, and carries a structured leather briefcase. Her chin is lifted, expression confident, mid-stride with coat slightly flowing behind her. Shot from a low angle looking upward, the magnificent celestial ceiling with zodiac constellations is visible above. Sunbeams stream through the tall arched windows creating dramatic light rays. Motion-blurred commuters rush past on either side. The American flag hangs in the background. Golden warm interior lighting contrasts with the bright window light. Use aspect ratio 1:1.

Snowy Taxi Scene
Create a nostalgic photograph of a classic yellow taxi cab parked on an empty Midtown street during a heavy snowfall. The vintage Crown Victoria model sits covered in a thick layer of fresh snow, its yellow paint peeking through. Snowflakes fall densely, visible against the dark building facades. Street lights create warm orange glows with halos from the precipitation. Shop awnings sag with accumulated snow. Fire hydrant nearly buried beside the car. Footprints in the snow lead away from the driver’s door. Shot from a three-quarter front angle at street level. The scene evokes classic NYC winter movies, quiet and romantic. Use aspect ratio 1:1.

Subway Platform Wait
Create an editorial-style photograph of a young man waiting on a subway platform at an underground NYC station. He wears an oversized vintage denim jacket covered in pins and patches, baggy cargo pants, and chunky retro sneakers. He leans casually against a tiled pillar with arms crossed, headphones around his neck, looking directly at camera with cool confidence. Shot straight-on at eye level, the background shows the curved tunnel, incoming train headlights creating a glow, vintage mosaic tiles with station name, and motion-blurred passengers. Harsh fluorescent lighting mixed with warm train lights creates interesting color contrast. Use aspect ratio 1:1.

Flatiron Building Power Walk
Create a dynamic street photograph of a confident businesswoman in her early 30s walking briskly past the iconic Flatiron Building during morning rush hour. She wears a structured white blazer, high-waisted black trousers, pointed-toe heels, and oversized black sunglasses. Her sleek low bun is perfectly styled, and she carries a laptop bag over one shoulder while holding a phone to her ear. Her stride is powerful and purposeful, coat slightly billowing. Shot from a low angle with the triangular Flatiron Building looming dramatically in the background, pedestrians blur past on either side. Morning sunlight creates sharp shadows on the pavement. A hot dog cart and newsstand add authentic NYC elements. Use aspect ratio 1:1.

Midnight Diner Scene
Create a cinematic photograph of a classic chrome diner on a quiet Midtown side street at midnight. The retro establishment glows with warm interior light, neon signs reading “OPEN 24 HOURS” and “COFFEE” in red and blue. The polished stainless steel exterior reflects the city lights. Through the large windows, red vinyl booths and a long counter with spinning stools are visible, but completely empty. A menu board with changeable letters lists classic items. A wet street from recent rain creates mirror-like reflections of all the neon. Steam rises from a nearby grate. Shot from across the street at a slight angle, the scene evokes Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks. Moody, nostalgic, timeless NYC atmosphere. Use aspect ratio 1:1.

High Line Golden Hour
Create a lifestyle photograph of a young creative woman sitting on one of the wooden lounge chairs on the High Line park during golden hour. She wears a flowy midi dress in terracotta, white canvas sneakers, and delicate gold jewelry. She sits with legs casually crossed, sketchbook open on her lap, gazing thoughtfully at the Hudson River view. Her natural curly hair catches the warm backlight. Shot from a slight distance at a three-quarter angle, the background shows the elevated park’s wild grasses and native plants, the industrial railway architecture, glass buildings of Hudson Yards, and the river glowing orange in the sunset. Other visitors walk past as soft silhouettes. Use aspect ratio 1:1.

Classic Newsstand at Dawn
Create a detailed photograph of a classic NYC corner newsstand at dawn before opening. The small wooden structure overflows with newspapers, magazines, candy bars, lottery tickets, and cigarette cartons arranged in organized chaos. Headlines visible on stacked papers. Postcards of NYC landmarks clip to strings. A hand-written sign advertises “COLD DRINKS” in marker. Christmas lights wound around the frame remain unlit. Shutters partially rolled up reveal the cramped interior. The newsstand sits on a corner with a classic green street sign visible. Soft pink dawn light illuminates the scene. A cup of coffee sits forgotten on the counter. Shot from eye level capturing the charming clutter and authentic NYC character. Use aspect ratio 1:1.

Wall Street Rush
Create an intense street photograph of a young finance professional in his late 20s checking his watch while speed-walking down Wall Street. He wears a perfectly tailored charcoal suit, slim tie, polished oxford shoes, and carries a leather messenger bag. His expression shows focused determination with slight tension. Shot from a frontal angle at eye level while walking backward, the background features the grand columns of the New York Stock Exchange, American flags draped on the building, other suited professionals rushing past, and the narrow canyon of historic financial buildings. Early morning light streams between buildings creating dramatic contrast. Motion blur on passing figures emphasizes the urgency. Use aspect ratio 1:1.

Brooklyn Heights Promenade Fog
Create an atmospheric photograph of the Brooklyn Heights Promenade engulfed in thick morning fog. The elegant wooden benches and ornate iron railings fade into the white mist. The Manhattan skyline across the East River is barely visible as ghostly silhouettes of skyscrapers, the Freedom Tower just a faint gray shape. Vintage lamp posts glow with soft halos in the fog. Fallen leaves scatter across the brick walkway. A forgotten umbrella leans against one bench. The Brooklyn Bridge barely visible to the left dissolves into the atmosphere. Shot looking along the promenade toward Manhattan, the mood is quiet, mysterious, and romantic. No people, only the sense of a city slowly waking. Use aspect ratio 1:1.

Williamsburg Street Mural
Create an artistic street photograph of a creative young woman with colorful dyed hair posing casually against a massive street mural in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She wears vintage high-waisted mom jeans, a cropped graphic tee, platform Doc Martens, and layered silver necklaces. She leans back against the vibrant abstract mural with one knee bent, foot flat on the wall, scrolling through her phone with a relaxed expression. Shot straight-on at full body length, the colorful mural creates a dynamic backdrop of geometric shapes and bold colors. The industrial warehouse setting is visible at the edges with loading docks and metal doors. Overcast light provides even, flattering illumination. Use aspect ratio 1:1.

Riverside Park Autumn
Create a stunning photograph of Riverside Park during peak fall foliage overlooking the Hudson River. A graceful curved walking path lined with vintage lamp posts winds through towering American Elm trees exploding in gold and amber. Fallen leaves carpet the ground in warm colors. An elegant old wooden bench sits empty facing the river view. The Hudson sparkles silver beyond the tree line. The George Washington Bridge is faintly visible in the distant haze to the north. A few sailboats dot the water. The New Jersey Palisades cliff face glows in the afternoon light across the river. Shot from the path level with the bench as a focal point, the scene captures the peaceful, contemplative side of NYC. Warm, golden afternoon light filters through the canopy. Use aspect ratio 1:1.

Upper East Side Dog Walk
Create an elegant street photograph of a sophisticated woman in her 40s walking a well-groomed dog on Madison Avenue in the Upper East Side. She wears a camel cashmere wrap coat, silk scarf tied at the neck, slim dark jeans, and ballet flats. Large designer sunglasses cover her eyes, and a Birkin bag hangs from her arm. The dog is a French Bulldog. Shot from across the avenue at eye level, the background shows upscale boutique storefronts with elegant window displays, doormen in uniform at building entrances, and perfectly manicured street trees with small fences. Soft morning light flatters the refined scene. Use aspect ratio 1:1.

Staten Island Ferry View
Create a breathtaking photograph from the back deck of the Staten Island Ferry looking back at the receding Manhattan skyline at blue hour. The dramatic cluster of Financial District skyscrapers sparkles with thousands of lit office windows. The Freedom Tower rises tallest, its spire illuminated. The wake of the ferry creates white foam trails leading back toward the shore. The Statue of Liberty is visible to the right in the harbor, her torch glowing. Seagulls fly alongside the boat. The sky transitions from deep blue at the top to warm orange at the horizon where the sun has just set. The Brooklyn Bridge spans the East River to the left. No passengers visible, just the iconic view. Use aspect ratio 1:1.

These 20 prompts give you a solid starting point for creating authentic New York street photography with Google Gemini. I’ve tested each one multiple times, and they consistently produce realistic results that capture the city’s energy.
The beauty of using AI for this is the flexibility. You can generate the same scene in different weather conditions, times of day, or with different people. Want to see how that SoHo street looks in winter instead of golden hour? Just adjust the prompt.
If you’re stuck on which prompt to try first, I’d suggest starting with the Brooklyn Bridge morning run or the Chinatown alley. Both capture that classic NYC vibe and work well as standalone images or as part of a larger series.
What I love most about this approach is how accessible it makes high-quality street photography. You don’t need expensive camera gear or a plane ticket to NYC. You just need a good prompt and a few minutes.
Try these out and see what you can create. And if you come up with your own variations or find combinations that work particularly well, keep experimenting. That’s where the real magic happens.