How to Create Stunning Food Photos Using ChatGPT

Food photography has become one of the hottest trends in visual content creation. Whether you’re a food blogger, restaurant owner, or social media enthusiast, having eye-catching food images can make all the difference in attracting your audience.

I’ve been using ChatGPT to create stunning food images, and I want to share what I’ve learned. The key is having a solid template prompt that you can customize for any dish.

After testing dozens of different approaches, I found one template that consistently produces professional-quality results. It works great with ChatGPT, and I’ve even used the same template successfully with Midjourney.

Table of Contents

The Food Photography Template Prompt

Here’s the template I use for all my food photography:

This template might look complex, but each part serves a specific purpose. Let me break it down for you.

“high-resolution food photography” – This sets the quality standard right from the start. It tells the AI you want crisp, detailed images suitable for professional use.
“floating in mid-air, suspended with dynamic motion” – This creates visual interest and makes your food photos stand out. Instead of static shots, you get images with movement and energy.
“vibrant colors” – Food should look fresh and appetizing. This ensures your colors pop and grab attention.
“surrounded by [garnishes, spices, or splashes]” – This adds context and visual storytelling. Flying spices, sauce splashes, or floating garnishes create a complete scene.
“dramatic lighting” – Good lighting makes or breaks food photography. This ensures your images have depth and visual appeal.
“ultra-realistic textures” – This makes viewers feel like they can reach out and touch the food. It’s what makes AI-generated images look believable.
“professional food advertising style” – This gives your images a polished, commercial look that’s perfect for marketing or social media.
“sharp focus, with subtle shadows beneath for depth” – These finishing touches add realism and make your floating food look grounded in space.

7 ChatGPT Prompt Examples

Here are seven examples showing how I use this template for different dishes:

1. Dynamic Taco Shot

Prompt: Create high-resolution food photography of tacos filled with grilled beef, salsa, and cilantro floating in mid-air, suspended with dynamic motion, vibrant colors, surrounded by chili flakes, lime wedges, and shredded cheese, dramatic lighting, ultra-realistic textures, set against a vibrant red-orange gradient background, professional food advertising style, sharp focus, with subtle shadows beneath for depth.

Create high-resolution food photography of tacos filled with grilled beef, salsa, and cilantro floating in mid-air, suspended with dynamic motion, vibrant colors, surrounded by chili flakes, lime wedges, and shredded cheese, dramatic lighting, ultra-realistic textures, set against a vibrant red-orange gradient background, professional food advertising style, sharp focus, with subtle shadows beneath for depth.

2. Floating Ramen Bowl

Prompt: Create high-resolution food photography of a bowl of ramen with noodles, egg, pork slices, and seaweed floating in mid-air, suspended with dynamic motion, vibrant colors, surrounded by broth splashes, green onions, and sesame seeds, dramatic lighting, ultra-realistic textures, set against a deep black gradient background, professional food advertising style, sharp focus, with subtle shadows beneath for depth.

Create high-resolution food photography of a bowl of ramen with noodles, egg, pork slices, and seaweed floating in mid-air, suspended with dynamic motion, vibrant colors, surrounded by broth splashes, green onions, and sesame seeds, dramatic lighting, ultra-realistic textures, set against a deep black gradient background, professional food advertising style, sharp focus, with subtle shadows beneath for depth.

3. Iced Coffee Splash

Prompt: Create high-resolution food photography of an iced coffee splash with ice cubes, cream swirls, and coffee droplets floating in mid-air, suspended with dynamic motion, vibrant colors, surrounded by roasted coffee beans and caramel ribbons, dramatic lighting, ultra-realistic textures, set against a rich mocha brown background, professional food advertising style, sharp focus, with subtle shadows beneath for depth.

Create high-resolution food photography of an iced coffee splash with ice cubes, cream swirls, and coffee droplets floating in mid-air, suspended with dynamic motion, vibrant colors, surrounded by roasted coffee beans and caramel ribbons, dramatic lighting, ultra-realistic textures, set against a rich mocha brown background, professional food advertising style, sharp focus, with subtle shadows beneath for depth.

4. Summer Watermelon Slice

Prompt: Create high-resolution food photography of a juicy watermelon slice with seeds and rind floating in mid-air, suspended with dynamic motion, vibrant colors, surrounded by splashes of watermelon juice and mint leaves, dramatic lighting, ultra-realistic textures, set against a fresh summer green background, professional food advertising style, sharp focus, with subtle shadows beneath for depth.

Create high-resolution food photography of a juicy watermelon slice with seeds and rind floating in mid-air, suspended with dynamic motion, vibrant colors, surrounded by splashes of watermelon juice and mint leaves, dramatic lighting, ultra-realistic textures, set against a fresh summer green background, professional food advertising style, sharp focus, with subtle shadows beneath for depth.

5. Decadent Brownie Stack

Prompt: Create high-resolution food photography of a chocolate brownie stack with fudge drizzle and crushed nuts floating in mid-air, suspended with dynamic motion, vibrant colors, surrounded by cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and caramel splashes, dramatic lighting, ultra-realistic textures, set against a deep brown background, professional food advertising style, sharp focus, with subtle shadows beneath for depth.

Create high-resolution food photography of a chocolate brownie stack with fudge drizzle and crushed nuts floating in mid-air, suspended with dynamic motion, vibrant colors, surrounded by cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and caramel splashes, dramatic lighting, ultra-realistic textures, set against a deep brown background, professional food advertising style, sharp focus, with subtle shadows beneath for depth.

6. Healthy Breakfast Bowl

Prompt: Create high-resolution food photography of a breakfast bowl with granola, banana slices, blueberries, and almond butter floating in mid-air, suspended with dynamic motion, vibrant colors, surrounded by oats, seeds, and fruit chunks, dramatic lighting, ultra-realistic textures, set against a sunrise peach background, professional food advertising style, sharp focus, with subtle shadows beneath for depth.

Create high-resolution food photography of a breakfast bowl with granola, banana slices, blueberries, and almond butter floating in mid-air, suspended with dynamic motion, vibrant colors, surrounded by oats, seeds, and fruit chunks, dramatic lighting, ultra-realistic textures, set against a sunrise peach background, professional food advertising style, sharp focus, with subtle shadows beneath for depth.

7. Classic Club Sandwich

Prompt: Create high-resolution food photography of a classic club sandwich with turkey, bacon, lettuce, and tomato layers floating in mid-air, suspended with dynamic motion, vibrant colors, surrounded by crumbs, mustard drops, and herb sprinkles, dramatic lighting, ultra-realistic textures, set against a sky blue background, professional food advertising style, sharp focus, with subtle shadows beneath for depth.

Create high-resolution food photography of a classic club sandwich with turkey, bacon, lettuce, and tomato layers floating in mid-air, suspended with dynamic motion, vibrant colors, surrounded by crumbs, mustard drops, and herb sprinkles, dramatic lighting, ultra-realistic textures, set against a sky blue background, professional food advertising style, sharp focus, with subtle shadows beneath for depth.

Add Text for Advertisement Style

Once I mastered basic food photography, I wanted to create actual advertisements. The solution was simple – add text elements to the template.

Here’s my modified template for creating food ads:

Create high-resolution food photography of [specific dish or ingredients with details] floating in mid-air, suspended with dynamic motion, vibrant colors, surrounded by [garnishes, spices, or splashes], dramatic lighting, ultra-realistic textures, set against a [color or gradient] background. Include bold, stylish text that says “[Ad Text or Slogan]” at the [placement], using a [font style, e.g., modern sans-serif, handwritten script, glowing neon] font. Design it like a professional food advertisement poster, with clean composition, sharp focus, and subtle shadows beneath for depth.

The key additions are:

Specific text placement instructions
Font style specifications
Clear advertisement poster formatting

5 Advertisement Examples

1. Bold Burger Ad

Prompt: High-resolution food photography of a cheeseburger with melted cheddar, crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato, and sesame bun floating in mid-air, suspended with dynamic motion, vibrant colors, surrounded by sesame seeds and ketchup splashes, dramatic lighting, ultra-realistic textures, set against a smoky charcoal gradient background. Include bold, stylish text that says “Bite into Boldness” at the top center, using a modern sans-serif font. Design it like a professional food advertisement poster, with clean composition, sharp focus, and subtle shadows beneath for depth.

High-resolution food photography of a cheeseburger with melted cheddar, crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato, and sesame bun floating in mid-air, suspended with dynamic motion, vibrant colors, surrounded by sesame seeds and ketchup splashes, dramatic lighting, ultra-realistic textures, set against a smoky charcoal gradient background. Include bold, stylish text that says "Bite into Boldness" at the top center, using a modern sans-serif font. Design it like a professional food advertisement poster, with clean composition, sharp focus, and subtle shadows beneath for depth.

2. Spicy Wings Campaign

Prompt: High-resolution food photography of spicy chicken wings glazed with sauce, floating in mid-air, suspended with dynamic motion, vibrant colors, surrounded by chili flakes, garlic bits, and sauce splashes, dramatic lighting, ultra-realistic textures, set against a fiery red gradient background. Include bold, stylish text that says “Turn Up the Heat!” at the top right, using a glowing neon font. Design it like a professional food advertisement poster, with clean composition, sharp focus, and subtle shadows beneath for depth.

High-resolution food photography of spicy chicken wings glazed with sauce, floating in mid-air, suspended with dynamic motion, vibrant colors, surrounded by chili flakes, garlic bits, and sauce splashes, dramatic lighting, ultra-realistic textures, set against a fiery red gradient background. Include bold, stylish text that says "Turn Up the Heat!" at the top right, using a glowing neon font. Design it like a professional food advertisement poster, with clean composition, sharp focus, and subtle shadows beneath for depth.

3. Fun Milkshake Ad

Prompt: High-resolution food photography of a chocolate milkshake with whipped cream and sprinkles floating in mid-air, suspended with dynamic motion, vibrant colors, surrounded by candy bits and cocoa powder, dramatic lighting, ultra-realistic textures, set against a light pastel purple background. Include bold, stylish text that says “Shake Things Up!” at the bottom center, using a fun handwritten script font. Design it like a professional food advertisement poster, with clean composition, sharp focus, and subtle shadows beneath for depth.

High-resolution food photography of a chocolate milkshake with whipped cream and sprinkles floating in mid-air, suspended with dynamic motion, vibrant colors, surrounded by candy bits and cocoa powder, dramatic lighting, ultra-realistic textures, set against a light pastel purple background. Include bold, stylish text that says "Shake Things Up!" at the bottom center, using a fun handwritten script font. Design it like a professional food advertisement poster, with clean composition, sharp focus, and subtle shadows beneath for depth.

4. Elegant Sushi Promotion

Prompt: High-resolution food photography of sushi rolls with tuna, avocado, and rice, floating in mid-air, suspended with dynamic motion, vibrant colors, surrounded by soy sauce droplets, sesame seeds, and wasabi smears, dramatic lighting, ultra-realistic textures, set against a cool slate gray background. Include bold, stylish text that says “Fresh, Rolled, Ready” at the top left, using a minimalist sans-serif font. Design it like a professional food advertisement poster, with clean composition, sharp focus, and subtle shadows beneath for depth.

High-resolution food photography of sushi rolls with tuna, avocado, and rice, floating in mid-air, suspended with dynamic motion, vibrant colors, surrounded by soy sauce droplets, sesame seeds, and wasabi smears, dramatic lighting, ultra-realistic textures, set against a cool slate gray background. Include bold, stylish text that says "Fresh, Rolled, Ready" at the top left, using a minimalist sans-serif font. Design it like a professional food advertisement poster, with clean composition, sharp focus, and subtle shadows beneath for depth.

5. Playful Nachos Ad

Prompt: High-resolution food photography of crispy nachos with jalapeños, cheese, and salsa floating in mid-air, suspended with dynamic motion, vibrant colors, surrounded by sour cream splashes and pepper flakes, dramatic lighting, ultra-realistic textures, set against a bold yellow-orange gradient background. Include bold, stylish text that says “Crunch. Melt. Repeat.” at the top left, using a bold handwritten script font. Design it like a professional food advertisement poster, with clean composition, sharp focus, and subtle shadows beneath for depth.

High-resolution food photography of crispy nachos with jalapeños, cheese, and salsa floating in mid-air, suspended with dynamic motion, vibrant colors, surrounded by sour cream splashes and pepper flakes, dramatic lighting, ultra-realistic textures, set against a bold yellow-orange gradient background. Include bold, stylish text that says "Crunch. Melt. Repeat." at the top left, using a bold handwritten script font. Design it like a professional food advertisement poster, with clean composition, sharp focus, and subtle shadows beneath for depth.

Tips for Better Results

Start with detailed descriptions. The more specific you are about ingredients, textures, and colors, the better your results will be.

Experiment with backgrounds. Different colored backgrounds can completely change the mood of your image. Dark backgrounds create drama, while light backgrounds feel fresh and clean.

Pay attention to text placement. For advertisements, make sure your text doesn’t compete with the main food element. Top corners and bottom center usually work well.

AI food photography has opened up incredible possibilities for content creators. You can now produce professional-quality images without expensive equipment or years of photography experience.

The templates I’ve shared here are just starting points. Feel free to modify them based on your specific needs. Try different backgrounds, experiment with various garnishes, and play around with text styles.

How to Create Stunning Food Photos Using ChatGPT

The Food Photography Template Prompt