ChatGPT Prompts for Pictures of Yourself (With Real Examples)

ChatGPT can now turn one ordinary selfie into a professional headshot, a golden-hour portrait or a holiday photo. The catch: if you ask badly, it quietly changes your face. Here are 12 prompts that work, with real examples, and the simple line that keeps you looking like you.

How it works

1. Open ChatGPT and start a new chat.
2. Upload a clear, well-lit photo of yourself, with your face visible (no sunglasses).
3. Paste one of the prompts below and send it.
4. If something is off, reply with a short fix instead of starting again (see the fixes further down).

The line that keeps your face

Add this to the end of every prompt:

Keep my face, facial features, skin tone and hairstyle exactly as in my photo. Photorealistic, natural skin texture, no beauty filter.

Without it, ChatGPT often smooths your skin, changes your skin tone or "improves" your features until the photo no longer looks like you.

12 prompts to try

Professional headshot

"Turn my photo into a professional corporate headshot. Navy blazer over a white shirt, soft grey studio background, soft key light from the left, confident friendly smile, 85mm lens, shallow depth of field."

Aesthetic window portrait

"Create an aesthetic Instagram portrait of me sitting by a large sunlit window, sheer curtains, warm morning light falling across my face, cozy cream knitwear, soft muted colours, candid look away from the camera."

Golden hour

"Create a golden-hour portrait of me in a wheat field, backlit by the setting sun, warm rim light around my hair, linen shirt, natural relaxed smile."

Paris café

"Create a photo of me at a Parisian-style outdoor café table with a croissant and espresso, striped awning, morning light, relaxed elegant outfit."

Santorini

"Create a travel photo of me in Santorini, Greece, standing on a white terrace with blue domes and the sea behind me, bright sunny day, summer outfit."

Old money

"Create an old-money aesthetic photo of me in a cream cable-knit sweater draped over my shoulders, standing on a manicured lawn of a country estate, soft overcast light."

Rainy neon street

"Create a photo of me walking down a rainy city street at night holding a clear umbrella, neon reflections on wet pavement, cinematic colours."

Cinematic movie still

"Turn my photo into a cinematic movie still: widescreen framing, teal and orange colour grade, me standing in a rainy neon-lit alley at night, dramatic mood."

90s film camera

"Make my photo look like it was taken on a 35mm film camera in the 1990s: warm faded colours, soft grain, light leaks, slightly soft focus, casual 90s outfit."

Black and white

"Create a black-and-white portrait of me with high contrast, deep shadows, light falling only on half my face, intense thoughtful expression."

Couples photo

"Using our photo, create a romantic golden-hour couples photo of us walking hand in hand on a beach, soft warm backlight, flowing clothes. Keep both of our faces, features and skin tones exactly as in the photo."

Watercolour portrait

"Turn my photo into a soft watercolour portrait with loose brush strokes, pastel colours and white paper texture. Keep my likeness clearly recognisable."

Quick fixes when it goes wrong

• Face changed: "Keep my face exactly identical to my original photo: same eyes, nose, lips, jawline and skin tone. Try again."
• Looks fake or airbrushed: "Make it look like a real photo: natural skin texture with visible pores, no airbrushing."
• Wrong skin tone: "Keep my skin tone exactly as in my original photo. Do not lighten or darken it."
• Odd hands: "Fix the hands so they look natural, with five fingers each in a relaxed position."

Be smart about it

• Only use photos of yourself, or of people who have said yes.
• Some platforms ask you to label AI-edited photos. Follow their rules when you post.
• Results change between runs and tool versions, so if one attempt looks off, try again.

Want 188 more?

Our ChatGPT Photo Prompts book has 200 prompts in 20 styles, from professional headshots and outfit swaps to seasonal, birthday, fitness, couples and personal-brand photos. It includes real before-and-after examples, fix-it phrases, mix-and-match boosters and a searchable prompt spreadsheet. Prefer to try first? Get 10 free prompts.