gemini prompts for realistic photos

20 Gemini Nano Banana Pro Prompts for Realistic Portrait Photos

ByMohammed Rashid Posted on

I’ve spent the last few days testing Google’s latest image model, Nano Banana Pro, and I’m genuinely impressed by how it handles portraits. Unlike many AI image generators that produce overly polished, plastic-looking faces, this model actually captures what real people look like.

Real portraits have imperfections. They have pores, texture, the way light hits skin differently depending on the time of day. They show fatigue under eyes after a long shift, sun damage on aging skin, or the sheen of sweat after physical exertion. They capture messy hair, wrinkles that tell stories, and the small moments that make someone unmistakably human.

That’s what these 20 prompts are designed to do. Each one asks for something specific: a particular lighting setup, a real-world setting, details that ground the image in authenticity. The goal isn’t to create a model-perfect face. It’s to create a person.

How to Use These Prompts

Getting started is straightforward. Head to gemini.google.com and create a new conversation. Choose “Thinking with 3 Pro” and paste in one of the prompts below. If you want to refine the results, you can upload a reference photo alongside the prompt to guide the model closer to what you’re imagining.

One tip: these prompts are specific on purpose. I’ve included details like camera types, lighting conditions, and aspect ratios because they matter. When you give the model this kind of information, it produces more consistent, more realistic results.

Young Woman, NYC Street, Golden Hour

Create a hyper-realistic, close-up portrait of a young African American woman standing on a busy New York City street during golden hour. She has natural, curly hair caught slightly in a breeze and is wearing a textured beige trench coat. The focus should be sharp on her eyes, capturing the reflection of the streetlights. Her skin should show natural texture, including pores and slight imperfections, avoiding any airbrushed look. The background should be a creamy, blurred bokeh of yellow taxis and city lights. Shot on a Sony A7R IV with an 85mm f/1.4 lens. Aspect ratio: 3:4.

Create a hyper-realistic, close-up portrait of a young African American woman standing on a busy New York City street during golden hour. She has natural, curly hair caught slightly in a breeze and is wearing a textured beige trench coat. The focus should be sharp on her eyes, capturing the reflection of the streetlights. Her skin should show natural texture, including pores and slight imperfections, avoiding any airbrushed look. The background should be a creamy, blurred bokeh of yellow taxis and city lights. Shot on a Sony A7R IV with an 85mm f/1.4 lens. Aspect ratio: 3:4.

South Asian Woman, Night Market, Flash Photography

Create a candid, flash-photography style portrait of a South Asian woman in her 20s at a night market. The lighting should look like a direct, on-camera flash, causing a sharp contrast between the subject and the dark background. She is laughing mid-conversation, looking slightly off-camera. Her skin should have a natural sheen (not oily, but realistic humidity). She is wearing a denim jacket over a colorful shirt. The background is dark but hints at colorful food stalls. The aesthetic is raw and documentary-style, not studio quality. Aspect ratio: 2:3.

Create a candid, flash-photography style portrait of a South Asian woman in her 20s at a night market. The lighting should look like a direct, on-camera flash, causing a sharp contrast between the subject and the dark background. She is laughing mid-conversation, looking slightly off-camera. Her skin should have a natural sheen (not oily, but realistic humidity). She is wearing a denim jacket over a colorful shirt. The background is dark but hints at colorful food stalls. The aesthetic is raw and documentary-style, not studio quality. Aspect ratio: 2:3.

Older Woman, Park Bench, Dappled Light

Create a realistic portrait of an older woman with silver hair cropped short, sitting on a park bench under the harsh midday sun. The shadows from a nearby tree branch are cast across her face, creating a dappled light effect. She is wearing sunglasses pushed up onto her head and a floral blouse. The image captures the texture of her aging neck and hands resting on her lap. The background is a vibrant green park, slightly out of focus. The image should have high contrast and vivid, true-to-life colors like Fujifilm Velvia stock. Aspect ratio: 9:16.

Create a realistic portrait of an older woman with silver hair cropped short, sitting on a park bench under the harsh midday sun. The shadows from a nearby tree branch are cast across her face, creating a dappled light effect. She is wearing sunglasses pushed up onto her head and a floral blouse. The image captures the texture of her aging neck and hands resting on her lap. The background is a vibrant green park, slightly out of focus. The image should have high contrast and vivid, true-to-life colors like Fujifilm Velvia stock. Aspect ratio: 9:16.

Young Man, Natural Window Light

Create a realistic portrait of a young man in his late twenties, aspect ratio 2:3. He stands facing the camera with a calm and confident expression. Use soft natural window light that highlights the texture of his skin and hair. He wears a simple charcoal grey T shirt and a light stubble beard. The background should be a softly blurred indoor setting with warm tones that give a natural home environment feel. Keep the colors lifelike with no stylized effects.

Create a realistic portrait of a young man in his late twenties, aspect ratio 2:3. He stands facing the camera with a calm and confident expression. Use soft natural window light that highlights the texture of his skin and hair. He wears a simple charcoal grey T shirt and a light stubble beard. The background should be a softly blurred indoor setting with warm tones that give a natural home environment feel. Keep the colors lifelike with no stylized effects.

Japanese Businessman, Late Night Office

Create a gritty, realistic portrait of a Japanese businessman in his 40s sitting at a desk in a glass-walled office. It is late at night, and the lighting is provided by cool-toned overhead fluorescent tubes, casting realistic, slightly unflattering shadows under his eyes to show fatigue. He has a loose tie and the top button of his white shirt is undone. The camera focus is razor-sharp on his face, showing stubble texture and skin pores. The background is a blur of city lights through the office window. The image should look like a high-ISO photograph taken on a Nikon D850. Aspect ratio: 3:2.

Create a gritty, realistic portrait of a Japanese businessman in his 40s sitting at a desk in a glass-walled office. It is late at night, and the lighting is provided by cool-toned overhead fluorescent tubes, casting realistic, slightly unflattering shadows under his eyes to show fatigue. He has a loose tie and the top button of his white shirt is undone. The camera focus is razor-sharp on his face, showing stubble texture and skin pores. The background is a blur of city lights through the office window. The image should look like a high-ISO photograph taken on a Nikon D850. Aspect ratio: 3:2.

British Woman, Bus Stop in Rain

Create a realistic portrait of a young British woman waiting at a bus stop in the rain. She is wearing a yellow raincoat and a grey beanie. The lighting is flat and grey (overcast day). Her skin is pale, with a natural, un-makeuped look. The focus should be on her eyes, with the raindrops in the foreground slightly blurring parts of the image for realism. Aspect ratio: 4:5.

Create a realistic portrait of a young British woman waiting at a bus stop in the rain. She is wearing a yellow raincoat and a grey beanie. The lighting is flat and grey (overcast day). Her skin is pale, with a natural, un-makeuped look. The focus should be on her eyes, with the raindrops in the foreground slightly blurring parts of the image for realism. Aspect ratio: 4:5.

Hispanic Boxer, Boxing Ring Corner

Create a raw, high-intensity realistic portrait of a Hispanic male boxer resting in the corner of a boxing ring. He is sweating profusely; beads of sweat are clearly visible running down his forehead and chest. He is wearing a mouthguard (partially visible) and boxing gloves. The lighting is dramatic top-down arena lighting, creating deep shadows in his eye sockets and highlighting the definition of his muscles and the texture of his wet skin. The background is dark and out of focus, implying a gym crowd. No airbrushing; capture the grit. Shot on a Hasselblad X1D. Aspect ratio: 1:1.

Create a raw, high-intensity realistic portrait of a Hispanic male boxer resting in the corner of a boxing ring. He is sweating profusely; beads of sweat are clearly visible running down his forehead and chest. He is wearing a mouthguard (partially visible) and boxing gloves. The lighting is dramatic top-down arena lighting, creating deep shadows in his eye sockets and highlighting the definition of his muscles and the texture of his wet skin. The background is dark and out of focus, implying a gym crowd. No airbrushing; capture the grit. Shot on a Hasselblad X1D. Aspect ratio: 1:1.

Woman with Freckles, Beach at Noon

Create a hyper-realistic close-up portrait of a woman with freckles and green eyes lying on a beach towel, looking up at the camera. It is high noon, and the sun is direct and harsh, causing her to squint slightly. One hand is raised to shield her eyes, casting a sharp shadow across her forehead. You can see the texture of sand stuck to her arm and the fine “peach fuzz” hair on her face. Her skin should look sun-kissed but not plastic; visible sun damage and uneven skin tone are required for realism. Aspect ratio: 16:9.

Create a hyper-realistic close-up portrait of a woman with freckles and green eyes lying on a beach towel, looking up at the camera. It is high noon, and the sun is direct and harsh, causing her to squint slightly. One hand is raised to shield her eyes, casting a sharp shadow across her forehead. You can see the texture of sand stuck to her arm and the fine "peach fuzz" hair on her face. Her skin should look sun-kissed but not plastic; visible sun damage and uneven skin tone are required for realism. Aspect ratio: 16:9.

Man Driving Pickup Truck, Golden Hour

Create a documentary-style portrait of a bearded man in his 50s driving an old pickup truck. The shot is taken from the passenger seat looking at the driver. The lighting is coming from the driver’s side window (golden hour sunlight), illuminating the left side of his face and his arm resting on the door. He is wearing a worn-out baseball cap and a plaid shirt. The focus is on his profile. The background through the windshield shows a blurred rural highway. Dust particles are visible floating in the shaft of sunlight inside the car. Aspect ratio: 2:3.

Create a documentary-style portrait of a bearded man in his 50s driving an old pickup truck. The shot is taken from the passenger seat looking at the driver. The lighting is coming from the driver's side window (golden hour sunlight), illuminating the left side of his face and his arm resting on the door. He is wearing a worn-out baseball cap and a plaid shirt. The focus is on his profile. The background through the windshield shows a blurred rural highway. Dust particles are visible floating in the shaft of sunlight inside the car. Aspect ratio: 2:3.

Teenager, Subway Train with Headphones

Create a candid, realistic portrait of a teenager listening to headphones on a subway train. They are leaning against the metal pole, looking at their phone, unaware of the camera. The lighting is a mix of the grim, greenish interior subway lights and the black darkness of the tunnel outside the window. The reflection of the subway car interior is faintly visible in the window behind them. The image should have slight film grain to mimic high-speed film stock like Ilford Delta 3200. Aspect ratio: 9:16.

Create a candid, realistic portrait of a teenager listening to headphones on a subway train. They are leaning against the metal pole, looking at their phone, unaware of the camera. The lighting is a mix of the grim, greenish interior subway lights and the black darkness of the tunnel outside the window. The reflection of the subway car interior is faintly visible in the window behind them. The image should have slight film grain to mimic high-speed film stock like Ilford Delta 3200. Aspect ratio: 9:16.

Man by Campfire, Night

Create a realistic, low-light portrait of a man in his late 20s sitting around a campfire at night. The only light source is the fire below the frame, casting a warm, flickering orange glow upwards onto his chin and nose, leaving his eyes in partial shadow. He is wearing a beanie and a thick fleece jacket. Capture the texture of his unshaven stubble and the slight redness in his cheeks from the heat. The background is pitch black with a hint of pine trees. The image should have a high dynamic range but maintain deep, grainy blacks to look like a high-ISO photograph. Aspect ratio: 4:5.

Create a realistic, low-light portrait of a man in his late 20s sitting around a campfire at night. The only light source is the fire below the frame, casting a warm, flickering orange glow upwards onto his chin and nose, leaving his eyes in partial shadow. He is wearing a beanie and a thick fleece jacket. Capture the texture of his unshaven stubble and the slight redness in his cheeks from the heat. The background is pitch black with a hint of pine trees. The image should have a high dynamic range but maintain deep, grainy blacks to look like a high-ISO photograph. Aspect ratio: 4:5.

Young Woman, Minimal Studio Setup

Create a realistic portrait of a young woman in her early twenties, aspect ratio 2:3. She stands near a plain wall with neutral tones. Her hair is tied back in a casual low bun and she wears a simple white top. Capture her with soft diffused lighting that shows natural skin texture. Her expression is gentle and relaxed. The background should stay minimal to keep attention on her facial features.

Create a realistic portrait of a young woman in her early twenties, aspect ratio 2:3. She stands near a plain wall with neutral tones. Her hair is tied back in a casual low bun and she wears a simple white top. Capture her with soft diffused lighting that shows natural skin texture. Her expression is gentle and relaxed. The background should stay minimal to keep attention on her facial features.

Female Mechanic, Auto Repair Shop

Create a gritty, environmental portrait of a female mechanic taking a break in an auto repair shop. She is wiping her forehead with the back of her hand, leaving a smear of black grease on her temple. She wears blue coveralls that are stained with oil. The lighting is a mix of daylight from the open garage door and harsh strip lighting overhead, creating a cool, industrial color palette. Her skin has a visible sheen of sweat. Focus sharply on her eyes to capture a look of exhaustion but determination. No beauty retouching; emphasize the dirt and texture. Aspect ratio: 16:9.

Create a gritty, environmental portrait of a female mechanic taking a break in an auto repair shop. She is wiping her forehead with the back of her hand, leaving a smear of black grease on her temple. She wears blue coveralls that are stained with oil. The lighting is a mix of daylight from the open garage door and harsh strip lighting overhead, creating a cool, industrial color palette. Her skin has a visible sheen of sweat. Focus sharply on her eyes to capture a look of exhaustion but determination. No beauty retouching; emphasize the dirt and texture. Aspect ratio: 16:9.

Teenage Boy, Overcast Schoolyard

Create a realistic portrait of a teenage boy, aspect ratio 2:3. Place him outdoors under soft overcast light that gives a balanced natural tone. He wears a dark hoodie and looks straight at the camera with a natural half smile. The background should be a blurred schoolyard that gives context without distracting from his face.

Create a realistic portrait of a teenage boy, aspect ratio 2:3. Place him outdoors under soft overcast light that gives a balanced natural tone. He wears a dark hoodie and looks straight at the camera with a natural half smile. The background should be a blurred schoolyard that gives context without distracting from his face.

Woman on Porch Step, Morning with Tea

Create a gentle, realistic morning portrait of a woman in her 40s sitting on a wooden porch step. She is holding a ceramic mug with both hands, steam rising from it. She is not wearing any makeup; her hair is in a messy top-knot, and she is wearing an oversized grey knitted cardigan. The lighting is soft, morning sunlight coming from behind her (backlit), creating a “halo” effect on her hair but leaving her face in soft shadow. Use a reflector fill look so her face is visible but low contrast. Aspect ratio: 1:1.

Create a gentle, realistic morning portrait of a woman in her 40s sitting on a wooden porch step. She is holding a ceramic mug with both hands, steam rising from it. She is not wearing any makeup; her hair is in a messy top-knot, and she is wearing an oversized grey knitted cardigan. The lighting is soft, morning sunlight coming from behind her (backlit), creating a "halo" effect on her hair but leaving her face in soft shadow. Use a reflector fill look so her face is visible but low contrast. Aspect ratio: 1:1.

Male Student in University Library

Create a close-up, photorealistic portrait of an African American male student studying in a university library stack. He is looking down at a book (out of frame). The lighting is dim, provided only by a small brass desk lamp, which illuminates his face warmly while the rest of the room falls into shadow. He wears thick-rimmed glasses and a hoodie. The camera focus is extremely shallow, locked on his eyelashes and the bridge of his nose. You can see the texture of the paper dust in the air. The background consists of blurry rows of books. Aspect ratio: 9:16.

Create a close-up, photorealistic portrait of an African American male student studying in a university library stack. He is looking down at a book (out of frame). The lighting is dim, provided only by a small brass desk lamp, which illuminates his face warmly while the rest of the room falls into shadow. He wears thick-rimmed glasses and a hoodie. The camera focus is extremely shallow, locked on his eyelashes and the bridge of his nose. You can see the texture of the paper dust in the air. The background consists of blurry rows of books. Aspect ratio: 9:16.

Man in Office, Professional Setting

Create a realistic portrait of a man in his forties, aspect ratio 2:3. He stands in an office environment with natural overhead lighting. He wears a dark blue suit without a tie and has a calm professional expression. Capture true to life skin tones and fabric texture. The background should be a blurred office corridor or workspace that fits the realistic look.

Create a realistic portrait of a man in his forties, aspect ratio 2:3. He stands in an office environment with natural overhead lighting. He wears a dark blue suit without a tie and has a calm professional expression. Capture true to life skin tones and fabric texture. The background should be a blurred office corridor or workspace that fits the realistic look.

Mountaineer in Snow, Close-up

Create an extreme close-up, hyper-realistic portrait of a mountaineer in a snowy environment. The subject is wrapped in a thick parka with a fur hood. The focus is entirely on the eyes and nose. There are tiny ice crystals frozen onto their eyelashes and eyebrows. The skin is windburned and ruddy from the cold. The lighting is the incredibly bright, diffuse white light typical of a snowy day, reflecting in their irises. No background is visible other than the blur of white snow and fur. Capture the texture of chapped lips. Aspect ratio: 1:1.

Create an extreme close-up, hyper-realistic portrait of a mountaineer in a snowy environment. The subject is wrapped in a thick parka with a fur hood. The focus is entirely on the eyes and nose. There are tiny ice crystals frozen onto their eyelashes and eyebrows. The skin is windburned and ruddy from the cold. The lighting is the incredibly bright, diffuse white light typical of a snowy day, reflecting in their irises. No background is visible other than the blur of white snow and fur. Capture the texture of chapped lips. Aspect ratio: 1:1.

Teenager, TV Light in Dark Room

Create a moody, low-light portrait of a teenager sitting on a sofa in a dark living room. The only light source is the cool blue flickering light coming from a television screen (off-camera) in front of them. This blue light highlights the skin and the reflection in their glasses. The rest of the room falls into deep shadow. They are wearing pajamas and looking intense or focused. The skin texture should show teenage complexion, perhaps with slight acne or uneven tone, to ensure authenticity. Aspect ratio: 9:16.

Create a moody, low-light portrait of a teenager sitting on a sofa in a dark living room. The only light source is the cool blue flickering light coming from a television screen (off-camera) in front of them. This blue light highlights the skin and the reflection in their glasses. The rest of the room falls into deep shadow. They are wearing pajamas and looking intense or focused. The skin texture should show teenage complexion, perhaps with slight acne or uneven tone, to ensure authenticity. Aspect ratio: 9:16.

Elderly Woman, Window Light Indoors

Create a realistic portrait of an elderly woman, aspect ratio 2:3. Capture her indoors near a window with gentle daylight. She wears a floral blouse and her silver hair is neatly combed back. Her smile is warm and genuine. Show the fine lines on her face clearly to maintain authenticity. The background should be a softly blurred home interior that feels warm and real.

Create a realistic portrait of an elderly woman, aspect ratio 2:3. Capture her indoors near a window with gentle daylight. She wears a floral blouse and her silver hair is neatly combed back. Her smile is warm and genuine. Show the fine lines on her face clearly to maintain authenticity. The background should be a softly blurred home interior that feels warm and real.

These 20 prompts work because they respect what makes a portrait real. They ask for lighting conditions that exist in the actual world.

They include details that matter, like the sheen of sweat or the texture of aging skin. They avoid the temptation to smooth everything over and make everyone look like a magazine cover.

When you use Nano Banana Pro with these prompts, you’re not asking for perfection. You’re asking for truth. And that’s what makes a portrait worth looking at.

I'm Rashid, an avid AI and tech enthusiast with a newfound passion for AI artistry. Through Imagine with Rashid, I explore the burgeoning world of digital creativity, sharing my adventures and insights at the intersection of technology and art.

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