ChatGPT Photo Prompts sounds simple, but most people still prompt images like they are describing a painting. The result is usually the same: faces that look too smooth, lighting that feels off, and scenes that do not feel like something a real camera captured.
The fix is to prompt like a photographer, not like a stylist. That means you control the camera decisions and lighting decisions that drive realism: composition, lens look, depth of field, light direction, and small details that make an image feel natural instead of generated.
Below are 10 copy-and-paste image prompts built to work across today's top text-to-image models, including Nano Banana Pro, GPT Image 1.5, and other popular generators. If you want to test them faster, run each prompt inside the QuestStudio Image Lab and compare the results across multiple models side by side, using the exact same prompt.
The Prompts (Copy & Paste)
Portrait
Golden Hour
1. Candid Street Portrait, Golden Hour
Photorealistic candid street portrait of a [28-year-old man / 26-year-old woman], relaxed expression, natural skin texture, subtle imperfections, standing on a quiet city sidewalk near a corner café. Golden hour sunlight from camera-left with soft rim light on hair, warm reflections from nearby windows, gentle shadows. Shot on a full-frame camera, 85mm lens, f/1.8, shallow depth of field, creamy background bokeh, subject sharp from eyes to lips. Documentary street photography vibe, realistic color, slight film grain, no beauty retouching. Composition: rule of thirds, eye-level, medium close-up. Aspect ratio 4:5.
Product
Ecommerce
2. Product Photo, Real Ecommerce Shoot
Photorealistic studio product photo of a [matte black water bottle / skincare jar / smartwatch] on a seamless backdrop. Three-point lighting setup: large softbox key light from top-left, subtle fill from front, soft rim light from back-right to define edges. Clean reflections, realistic materials, tiny dust specks kept minimal but believable. Shot on 70mm lens, f/8 for full product sharpness, crisp detail, natural shadow under the product. Composition: centered hero shot with slight angle, premium ecommerce style. Background color: very light warm gray. Aspect ratio 1:1.
Interior
Window Light
3. Cozy Interior, Window Light, Lived-In Realism
Photorealistic interior photo of a cozy living room on a cloudy afternoon. Soft diffused window light, gentle shadow gradients, realistic exposure. Details: textured linen couch, slightly wrinkled throw blanket, coffee table with a ceramic mug and a book, a plant near the window, subtle clutter but tasteful. Shot on 35mm lens, f/2.8, natural depth, straight vertical lines, no warped perspective. Color palette: warm neutrals, realistic white balance. Composition: wide shot from seated eye level, inviting and lived-in. Aspect ratio 16:9.
Fashion
Editorial
4. Editorial Fashion, Magazine Feel
Photorealistic editorial fashion photo of a [female / male] model wearing [a tailored suit / minimalist streetwear], standing against a simple textured wall. Lighting: soft studio key light with gentle falloff, controlled shadows, slight highlight on cheekbones, no over-smoothing. Shot on 50mm lens, f/2.2, sharp eyes, natural pores and hair detail, subtle flyaway hairs. Color grading: clean and modern, like a fashion magazine, not overly cinematic. Composition: vertical full-body with negative space above head, slight angle, confident posture. Aspect ratio 2:3.
Food
Restaurant
5. Food Photo, Real Restaurant Shot
Photorealistic food photography of a plated [pasta dish / sushi set / burger and fries] on a wooden table in a restaurant. Lighting: warm overhead practical lights plus soft window fill, realistic specular highlights on sauce and glassware. Details: condensation on a water glass, slight crumbs, natural plating imperfections. Shot on 50mm lens, f/2.0, shallow depth of field with background restaurant blur. Composition: three-quarter angle from slightly above table height, subject centered, appetizing but natural. Aspect ratio 4:5.
Night
Urban
6. Night City Scene, Realistic Light Sources
Photorealistic night street photo in a modern downtown area after rain. Wet pavement reflections, neon signs and street lamps creating mixed color lighting, visible light falloff, realistic noise in shadows. A few pedestrians in the distance, motion slightly blurred, but main scene sharp. Shot on 35mm lens, f/1.8, ISO 1600 look, handheld vibe, natural imperfections. Composition: leading lines down the sidewalk, cinematic depth, no fantasy elements. Aspect ratio 16:9.
Macro
Detail
7. Macro Close-Up, Extreme Detail
Photorealistic macro photo close-up of a [strawberry / coffee beans / leaf with dew drops]. Extreme texture detail, natural micro-contrast, tiny imperfections, realistic moisture and surface highlights. Lighting: soft directional light from the side, gentle shadow, no harsh glare. Shot on macro lens, f/4, very shallow depth of field, background fully blurred. Composition: tight crop, subject fills frame, tactile realism. Aspect ratio 1:1.
Fitness
Action
8. Gym Action Shot, Real Camera Capture
Photorealistic action photo inside a gym. Subject: [athletic man / athletic woman] doing a controlled deadlift setup, chalk on hands, subtle sweat, realistic muscle tension. Lighting: overhead gym lights with slightly cool tone, realistic shadows, mild highlights on arms and shoulders. Shot on 35mm lens, 1/500s frozen motion look, f/2.8, ISO 800 vibe. Background: gym racks and plates slightly blurred, shallow depth of field. Composition: low angle, dynamic, subject centered, documentary sports photography. Aspect ratio 3:2.
Headshot
Professional
9. Natural Light Headshot, LinkedIn Realism
Photorealistic professional headshot of a [30-year-old man / 30-year-old woman], friendly confident expression, natural skin texture, no heavy retouching, realistic hair detail. Lighting: soft window light from camera-left, subtle fill, gentle catchlights in eyes. Background: simple office blur, neutral colors, realistic depth of field. Shot on 85mm lens, f/2, sharp eyes, soft background bokeh. Composition: shoulders-up, centered, clean and modern. Aspect ratio 4:5.
Landscape
Travel
10. Travel Landscape, Real Photo Feel
Photorealistic landscape photo of a scenic overlook in [a mountain range / coastal cliff / desert canyon] at sunrise. Realistic atmospheric haze, natural dynamic range, detailed foreground rocks and plants, subtle lens flare, believable color. No surreal elements. Shot on 24mm lens, f/8, deep focus, crisp detail across the frame. Composition: foreground interest, strong horizon placement, leading lines toward the sun. Aspect ratio 16:9.
How to Build Your Own Prompt Library
As you build your own library, keep the same structure and swap only what matters, like the subject, location, and mood. That is how you get repeatable results across different styles and models.
QuestStudio makes this process easy. You can save your best prompts, organize them into your own prompt library, and reuse them anytime you want, without starting from scratch.
The QuestStudio Prompt Library: save, organize, and reuse your best prompts.
You can also explore the built-in prompt library, which includes ready-to-use prompts for different scenes, use cases, and styles. You will find prompts similar to the ones in this post, plus plenty of options to spark new ideas.
Quick Tip
The key to photorealistic prompts is specifying camera settings (lens, aperture, ISO) and lighting conditions (direction, quality, color temperature). These technical details tell the AI "this should look like a real photograph" rather than an illustration or painting.
