30 Gemini Prompts for Stunning Retro Photos

There’s something magical about retro photos that modern digital images often miss. Those vintage color palettes, the grainy textures and the iconic fashion styles. They tell stories in ways that feel both nostalgic and timeless.

Retro photography isn’t just about looking backward. It’s about capturing emotions and aesthetics that resonate across generations. Whether it’s the glamour of the 1960s, the bold experimentation of the 1980s, or the raw authenticity of the 1990s, each era brought its own visual language.

Google’s new Nano Banana image model has completely changed how I approach photo editing. This AI model excels at transforming ordinary photos into stunning retro portraits.

To use it, go to gemini.google.com, start a new chat, attach your photo, and use any of the prompts below. You can also visit aistudio.google.com/ and select “generate media,” then choose “nano banana.”

I’ve spent weeks testing different prompts with the Nano Banana model. Here are 30 that consistently produce amazing results – 15 for women and 15 for men.

Retro Prompts for Women

I used the following photo as reference.

1960s Bollywood Glamour

A stunning retro-style portrait reminiscent of 1960s glamour. She is wearing a mustard-yellow chiffon saree with a thin gold border. Her dark hair is styled in a bouffant, and she wears large vintage cat-eye sunglasses. The background is a patterned tiled wall, and warm directional lighting with subtle film grain adds a cinematic vintage mood.

Swinging London Mod

Style the woman as a 1960s Mod fashionista. Outfit her in a mini dress with bold geometric patterns, knee-high boots, and dramatic eyeliner. Place her on a London street with a vintage car and vibrant retro tones.

Neon 80s Icon

Reimagine the woman as an 80s fashion star. Dress her in bold neon clothing with oversized shoulder pads and chunky earrings. Place her in front of glowing neon lights with a dramatic retro look.

Power Suit Confidence

Create a bold, high-contrast portrait of a woman in a power suit with shoulder pads. Her hair is big and styled, and her makeup is vibrant. The background is a minimalist, geometric studio set with strong, directional lighting, conveying confidence and ambition.

Golden Hour Elegance

A retro-inspired portrait of a woman in a silk saree with traditional jewelry. Soft, golden-hour sunlight creates a warm backlit glow against a blurred vintage garden backdrop. Subtle sepia tones and a cinematic feel evoke the elegance of 1950s Indian cinema.

1940s Classic Beauty

Style the woman as a 1940s classic beauty. Give her soft curls, red lipstick, and a polka dot dress. Place her in front of a classic car with muted film tones for a timeless retro portrait, full body shot.

Disco Fever Glamour

Convert this into a glamorous disco portrait. Dress her in a sparkling jumpsuit with platform shoes. Place her under a glittering disco ball with colorful retro lighting, giving the photo a groovy 70s vibe.

70s Street Style

Transform this woman into a 1970s street fashion icon. Dress her in bell-bottom jeans, a tucked-in turtleneck, and large round sunglasses. Place her on a vintage city street with muted film grain tones.

90s Grunge Aesthetic

A raw, unfiltered portrait of a woman with messy hair. She’s wearing a slip dress layered over a baby tee, with combat boots. The setting is a gritty, urban alleyway with peeling paint and graffiti. The photo should have a grainy, slightly underexposed look, as if taken on a disposable camera.

80s Aerobics Energy

A fun, energetic portrait of a woman in a brightly colored leotard, leggings, and leg warmers. Her hair is in a high side ponytail with a scrunchie. She’s in the middle of an aerobic pose in a pastel-colored studio with geometric shapes in the background. The lighting should be bright and even, capturing the fitness craze of the 80s.

90s Minimalist Cool

A minimalist, chic portrait of a woman with a natural, “less is more” makeup look. She’s wearing a simple white tank top and high-waisted “mom” jeans. The photo is taken against a plain, textured wall in a city. The lighting is natural and soft, capturing the effortless cool of 90s fashion.

Parisian 60s Chic

Reimagine the woman as a 1960s Parisian fashionista. Dress her in a striped top, beret, and pencil skirt. Place her in a cobblestone Paris street with a vintage café in the background.

70s Studio Portrait

Turn the woman into a 1970s glamour studio portrait. Dress her in a flowing patterned dress with large hoop earrings. Pose her against a velvet backdrop with soft, grainy retro tones.

1930s Vintage Bride

Style the woman as a 1930s bride. Dress her in a lace wedding gown with a long veil and vintage bouquet. Place her in an old chapel with soft sepia tones.

60s Roadside Romance

Reimagine the woman in a 1960s roadside aesthetic. Dress her in a polka dot dress with cat-eye sunglasses. Pose her beside a vintage convertible on a desert road, retro tones added.

Retro Prompts for Men

For the following prompts I used this photo as reference.

1970s Cinematic Cool

Convert this photo into a cinematic 1970s portrait. Dress him in a tailored brown suit with a wide collar shirt slightly unbuttoned. Add tinted aviator sunglasses. Place him against a vintage car with a soft golden-hour glow, giving the photo a grainy retro film look.

Rebel with a Motorcycle

Create a dynamic shot of a man in a leather jacket, leaning against a vintage motorcycle. The setting is a dusty, open road at sunset. The lighting should be warm and golden, highlighting the chrome of the bike and the rugged texture of the jacket. The overall feel should be one of freedom and rebellion.

90s Grunge Musician

Create a grainy, slightly out-of-focus portrait of a man in a flannel shirt over a band t-shirt and ripped jeans. He is in a cluttered, dimly lit garage or music studio, holding an electric guitar. The mood is raw, angsty, and creative.

Miami Vice Vibes

Reimagine the man in a retro 1980s Miami look. Dress him in a pastel-colored oversized blazer with rolled sleeves, paired with a white T-shirt and gold chain. Place him on a palm-tree-lined boulevard at sunset, with neon lights glowing in the background.

1940s War Hero

Style this man as a 1940s wartime portrait. Dress him in a vintage army uniform with badges. Pose him confidently in front of an old military aircraft. Add muted, slightly faded tones for a classic retro feel.

70s Dance Floor King

Capture the vibrant energy of the 70s with a portrait of a man in a brightly colored, wide-collared shirt and bell-bottoms. He is mid-dance pose under a disco ball, with dynamic, colorful lighting creating a sense of movement and joy.

Retro Fitness Star

Turn the man into a fitness retro star. Dress him in short shorts, striped tube socks, and a headband. Place him in a retro gym with wooden floors, vintage weights, and posters on the wall. Give the photo a bold, saturated retro tone.

1930s Hollywood Glamour

Convert this portrait into a glamorous 1930s Hollywood headshot. Dress him in a tuxedo with a bow tie, slick hair, and sharp shadows across the face. Place him under dramatic studio lighting for a timeless black-and-white retro effect.

70s Casual Street Style

Reimagine the man in a casual 1970s street style. Outfit him in bell-bottom jeans, a patterned button-up shirt, and platform shoes. Place him in an urban street with vintage billboards and cars in the background, with a soft film grain overlay.

80s Preppy Sailor

A bright, high-key portrait of a man in a pastel-colored polo shirt with a popped collar, khaki shorts, and boat shoes. He’s posed on the deck of a sailboat with a clear blue sky and sparkling water in the background. The aesthetic should be clean and vibrant, reminiscent of a classic 80s fashion advertisement.

90s Hip-Hop Culture

Generate a portrait with the bold, expressive style of 90s hip-hop culture. The man is wearing a brightly colored oversized windbreaker, baggy jeans, and a baseball cap turned backward. The setting is an urban basketball court with graffiti art in the background. The lighting should be direct and slightly harsh, creating a dynamic and energetic feel.

80s Neon Nights

A stylish, neon-lit portrait of a man in a linen blazer over a pastel t-shirt, with loafers and no socks. He’s leaning against a classic 80s sports car at dusk, with the neon signs of a city street reflecting on the car’s surface. The color palette should be dominated by pinks, teals, and purples.

70s Surfer Icon

Turn the man into a 1970s surfer icon. Outfit him in board shorts and a loose open shirt. Place him barefoot with a vintage surfboard against a golden sunset beach. Add warm tones and faded retro vibes.

Desert Traveler Aesthetic

Style the man as a 1970s traveler. Dress him an open floral shirt, and round sunglasses. Pose him leaning on a retro van in the desert, with warm retro filters.

Polaroid Bohemian

Create a Polaroid-style portrait. The man should be wearing a denim jacket and aviator sunglasses. The photo should be shot in the warm, faded colors of natural golden-hour sunlight with a soft background bokeh effect. The vibe is a casual, bohemian aesthetic with a hint of retro film grain.

Tips for Best Results

• Start with high-quality source photos. The Nano Banana model works better when it has clear details to work with.
• Be specific about the era you want. Each decade had distinct characteristics, and the more specific you are, the better the results.
• Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try different combinations of prompts or modify them slightly to match your vision.
• The lighting descriptions in these prompts are crucial. They help the AI understand not just what to add, but how to make it feel authentic to the era.

These prompts give you a solid foundation, but don’t stop there. Consider the story you want your photo to tell.

Think about the personality of your subject and which era best matches their energy. A confident, bold person might work perfectly with an 80s power suit aesthetic, while someone with a more laid-back vibe could shine in a 70s bohemian setting.

Pay attention to the original composition of your photo too. Some prompts work better with portrait orientation, while others shine with full-body shots.

The Nano Banana model has opened up incredible possibilities for creative photo editing. These 30 prompts are just the beginning – use them as inspiration to create your own unique vintage masterpieces.