gemini selfie prompt

How to Create Selfie Photos Using Gemini

Creating selfie photos with Gemini is trickier than you’d think. I’ve spent time figuring this out, and the problem is pretty straightforward: when you just type “selfie” in your prompt, Gemini often generates an image of someone holding up a phone to take a picture. That’s not what most of us want.

What we actually want is that selfie point-of-view—where it feels like you’re the one taking the photo. The solution? You need to be strategic with your words when building your prompt. It’s all about giving Gemini the right instructions.

Google’s Nano Banana Model

Before we get into prompt building, I should mention Google Gemini’s new Nano Banana image model. If you haven’t tried it yet, it’s worth your time. This model is surprisingly good at editing your existing photos.

Whether you want to adjust lighting, change backgrounds, or refine details, it handles these tasks smoothly. It’s another reason to get comfortable with Gemini’s image generation tools.

The Secret to Better Selfie Prompts

The key difference between a mediocre selfie prompt and a great one comes down to specificity and clarity. You need to tell Gemini exactly what you’re looking for without leaving room for misinterpretation.

Here’s what works: I built a template that consistently delivers the selfie perspective we want. Let me walk you through it.

This is the formula I use:

Create an iPhone selfie photo, taken from a first-person perspective. [subject with details]. Don’t show the phone. Don’t show any text.

Let me break down why each part matters:

  • “Create an iPhone selfie photo” — This frames what you’re asking for. Using “iPhone” specifically helps ground the request in something concrete.
  • “taken from a first-person perspective” — This is crucial. This phrase tells Gemini you want the camera angle to be from the subject’s viewpoint, not someone else looking at the subject. It’s the difference between taking a selfie and taking a photo of someone taking a selfie.
  • “[subject with details]” — This is where your creativity goes. Describe the person, their clothes, the setting, the lighting, their expression. The more specific you are, the better the result.
  • “Don’t show the phone” — This prevents Gemini from including a visible phone in the frame, which breaks the selfie illusion.
  • “Don’t show any text” — This stops any random text from appearing in the image, which can ruin an otherwise good photo.

10 Selfie Prompts to Try

Now that you understand the template, here are 10 real prompts I’ve tested. Each one follows the formula and produces a solid selfie image. Try them out and see what works for you.

1. Cozy Café Selfie

Create an iPhone selfie photo, taken from a first-person perspective. A woman sitting at a cozy café table by the window, wearing a beige trench coat and holding a warm cup of coffee with latte art. Soft daylight filters through the window, highlighting her gentle smile and golden earrings. Don’t show the phone. Don’t show any text.

Create an iPhone selfie photo, taken from a first-person perspective. A woman sitting at a cozy café table by the window, wearing a beige trench coat and holding a warm cup of coffee with latte art. Soft daylight filters through the window, highlighting her gentle smile and golden earrings. Don't show the phone. Don't show any text.

2. Sunset Beach Selfie

Create an iPhone selfie photo, taken from a first-person perspective. A man standing on a windy beach wearing a white linen shirt with the ocean waves and sunset sky behind him. His hair is tousled by the breeze and his eyes catch the golden light. Don’t show the phone. Don’t show any text.

Create an iPhone selfie photo, taken from a first-person perspective. A man standing on a windy beach wearing a white linen shirt with the ocean waves and sunset sky behind him. His hair is tousled by the breeze and his eyes catch the golden light. Don't show the phone. Don't show any text.

3. Rainy Night Car Selfie

Create an iPhone selfie photo, taken from a first-person perspective. A young woman in a car during nighttime rain, soft reflections of neon lights glowing on the window and her face. She’s wearing a leather jacket and has a thoughtful expression. Don’t show the phone. Don’t show any text.

Create an iPhone selfie photo, taken from a first-person perspective. A young woman in a car during nighttime rain, soft reflections of neon lights glowing on the window and her face. She's wearing a leather jacket and has a thoughtful expression. Don't show the phone. Don't show any text.

4. City Rooftop Selfie

Create an iPhone selfie photo, taken from a first-person perspective. A man sitting on a city rooftop at golden hour, wearing a casual denim jacket and black sunglasses. The skyline glows behind him with warm orange tones. Don’t show the phone. Don’t show any text.

Create an iPhone selfie photo, taken from a first-person perspective. A man sitting on a city rooftop at golden hour, wearing a casual denim jacket and black sunglasses. The skyline glows behind him with warm orange tones. Don't show the phone. Don't show any text.

5. Alpaca Meet Selfie

Create an iPhone selfie photo, taken from a first-person perspective. A person laughing as a curious alpaca leans in close to the camera, its fluffy face filling part of the frame. Taken in a bright mountain valley with soft sunlight. Don’t show the phone. Don’t show any text.

Create an iPhone selfie photo, taken from a first-person perspective. A person laughing as a curious alpaca leans in close to the camera, its fluffy face filling part of the frame. Taken in a bright mountain valley with soft sunlight. Don't show the phone. Don't show any text.

6. Panda Friend Selfie

Create an iPhone selfie photo, taken from a first-person perspective. A person taking a selfie with a panda munching bamboo right beside them. Misty green forest and soft diffused daylight. Don’t show the phone. Don’t show any text.

Create an iPhone selfie photo, taken from a first-person perspective. A person taking a selfie with a panda munching bamboo right beside them. Misty green forest and soft diffused daylight. Don't show the phone. Don't show any text.

7. Friendly Alien Selfie

Create an iPhone selfie photo, taken from a first-person perspective. A person smiling nervously while a friendly alien with large glowing eyes poses with a peace sign. Soft neon lights and a futuristic city background. Don’t show the phone. Don’t show any text.

Create an iPhone selfie photo, taken from a first-person perspective. A person smiling nervously while a friendly alien with large glowing eyes poses with a peace sign. Soft neon lights and a futuristic city background. Don't show the phone. Don't show any text.

8. Tiger Encounter Selfie

Create an iPhone selfie photo, taken from a first-person perspective. A person looking absolutely terrified as a tiger stands right behind them, staring directly at the camera with piercing eyes. The person’s eyes are wide open, mouth slightly dropped, and there’s visible tension in their face. Taken in a dense jungle with soft natural light filtering through trees. Don’t show the phone. Don’t show any text.

Create an iPhone selfie photo, taken from a first-person perspective. A person looking absolutely terrified as a tiger stands right behind them, staring directly at the camera with piercing eyes. The person's eyes are wide open, mouth slightly dropped, and there's visible tension in their face. Taken in a dense jungle with soft natural light filtering through trees. Don't show the phone. Don't show any text.

9. Mountain Friends Selfie

Create an iPhone selfie photo, taken from a first-person perspective. Three friends smiling brightly under golden sunlight at a scenic viewpoint, with mountains in the background. Everyone looks happy and relaxed, wind slightly moving their hair. Don’t show the phone. Don’t show any text.

Create an iPhone selfie photo, taken from a first-person perspective. Three friends smiling brightly under golden sunlight at a scenic viewpoint, with mountains in the background. Everyone looks happy and relaxed, wind slightly moving their hair. Don't show the phone. Don't show any text.

10. Silly Faces Group Selfie

Create an iPhone selfie photo, taken from a first-person perspective. A group of friends making silly faces close to the camera – one person sticking their tongue out, another crossing eyes, others laughing. Warm daylight and blurred park background. Don’t show the phone. Don’t show any text.

Create an iPhone selfie photo, taken from a first-person perspective. A group of friends making silly faces close to the camera - one person sticking their tongue out, another crossing eyes, others laughing. Warm daylight and blurred park background. Don't show the phone. Don't show any text.

The beauty of this template is that it’s flexible. Mix and match elements, change the settings, swap out the subjects, and make them your own. The more you practice, the better you’ll get at describing exactly what you want.

Start with these prompts, then use what you learn to create something completely new.

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