AI Photo Editing Prompts 2026 | Copy & Paste for Gemini, ChatGPT & Instagram
Updated January 2026

AI Photo Editing Prompts
Copy & Paste

The exact text prompts behind every viral TikTok and Instagram AI trend. Just copy, paste into Gemini or ChatGPT, and watch the magic.

πŸ“‹ How to Use These AI Editing Prompts

No design skills needed. Follow these five simple steps to transform any photo into viral content.

1

Open Your AI Tool

Go to gemini.google.com or open ChatGPT. Both work great. Gemini's Nano Banana model is especially popular for photo transformations.

2

Upload Your Photo

Choose a clear, well-lit selfie or photo. Front-facing shots work best. For couple or group photos, make sure all faces are visible.

3

Copy the Prompt

Find the trend you want below and click the "Copy" button. The prompt will be copied to your clipboard exactly as written.

4

Paste and Generate

Paste the prompt into the AI tool and hit enter. Wait a few seconds for the AI to generate your transformed image.

5

Download and Share

Download the result in high quality. Post to TikTok or Instagram with trending hashtags like #AItrend or #GeminiAI.

🎭 3D Figurine / Action Figure Prompts

Turn yourself into a collectible Funko Pop, Bandai-style figure, or claymation character. One of the most viral AI trends of 2025-2026 with over 66K+ monthly searches.

Bandai-Style Collectible Figure
Viral Gemini

The original viral prompt that started the 3D figurine trend. Creates a realistic miniature of you displayed on a computer desk with packaging.

Create a 1/7 scale commercialized figurine of the person in the picture, in a realistic style, in a real environment. The figurine is placed on a computer desk. The figurine has a round transparent acrylic base, with no text on the base. The content on the computer screen is the 3D modeling process of this figurine. Next to the computer screen is a toy packaging box, designed in a style reminiscent of high-quality collectible figures, printed with original artwork. The packaging features two-dimensional flat illustrations. Keep the face 100% similar to the original photo.

πŸ”§ Best for: Gemini Nano Banana πŸ“± Platform: TikTok, Instagram
Funko Pop Style Character
Trending ChatGPT

Transform into the iconic oversized-head Funko Pop style with toy box packaging. Perfect for gifts or social media content.

Create an image of this person as a Funko Pop vinyl figure in collectible toy packaging. The figure has the signature oversized head, small body, and black button eyes. Display in a transparent plastic casing on the left of the packaging. To the right of the figure are miniature accessories in their own compartments. Keep the outfit and style exactly as shown in the photo. The packaging should have clean, professional design with the character name. Ultra-realistic product photography, studio lighting.

πŸ”§ Best for: ChatGPT, Gemini πŸ“± Platform: TikTok, YouTube
Claymation / Wallace & Gromit Style
New Any AI

Get that handmade stop-motion animation look. Very shareable and nostalgic.

Transform this photo into a claymation-style character like Wallace & Gromit or Shaun the Sheep. The character should have the handmade clay texture, exaggerated features, fingerprint impressions on the surface, and a playful, stop-motion animation aesthetic. Keep the same face identity and outfit. Vibrant, colorful background with clay props. High detail, Aardman animation studio quality.

πŸ”§ Best for: Gemini, Midjourney πŸ“± Platform: Instagram Reels

πŸ€— Hug My Younger Self Prompts

The emotional trend where your current self hugs your childhood self. Uses AI to merge two photos into one touching moment. Extremely viral for nostalgia and personal storytelling.

Classic Polaroid Hug
Viral Gemini

The most popular version. Upload a current photo and a childhood photo for best results. Creates a warm, nostalgic Polaroid-style image.

Using my present photo and my childhood photo, create a realistic and heartwarming image where my current self is hugging my younger self. Make sure both faces and features are preserved accurately so the resemblance is clear. Polaroid style with vintage warm colors, soft lighting, emotional and nostalgic mood. The embrace should feel genuine and comforting, capturing the bond between who I was and who I am now.

πŸ”§ Best for: Gemini πŸ“· Upload: 2 photos (current + childhood)
One Photo Version
Easy Gemini

Don't have a childhood photo? This version works with just your current photoβ€”the AI imagines your younger self.

Click a cute Polaroid picture of my older self hugging my younger self. Keep my adult face exactly the same. Create a younger version of me as a child (around 7-8 years old) based on my current features. Vintage warm colors, soft nostalgic lighting, emotional and heartwarming mood. Natural embrace pose.

πŸ”§ Best for: Gemini πŸ“· Upload: 1 photo only

πŸ“Έ 90s Retro & Polaroid Prompts

Transform modern photos into nostalgic throwbacks. Disposable camera effects, yearbook photos, and vintage aesthetics are dominating feeds.

1990s Disposable Camera
Classic Any AI

The authentic disposable camera aesthetic with flash, grain, and date stamps. Perfect for party or casual photos.

Turn this photo into a 1998 disposable camera shot. Add light leaks, soft film grain, and a timestamp in the bottom right corner reading "JAN 01 98". Low contrast, nostalgic warm vibe, slight blur around edges. Flash photography look with slightly overexposed highlights. Keep the face exactly the same. Authentic analog camera aesthetic.

πŸ”§ Best for: Gemini, ChatGPT πŸ“± Platform: Instagram Feed
90s Yearbook Photo
Trending Gemini

See yourself in vintage American high school yearbook style. Laser backgrounds and all.

Transform this photo into a 1990s American high school yearbook portrait. Classic blue or grey gradient laser background. Slightly soft focus, school portrait studio lighting. The person wearing the same outfit but styled for the era. Keep the face exactly the same, no alterations. Authentic 90s yearbook aesthetic with warm tones and gentle vignette.

πŸ”§ Best for: Gemini πŸ“± Platform: TikTok
Vintage Film Portrait
Aesthetic Any AI

High-fashion meets vintage film. Great for profile pictures and personal branding.

Use the reference image and preserve the original face exactly with no change in facial features. Create a realistic portrait using a 1990s-style camera with soft direct front flash. Messy hair with natural texture, calm and relaxed expression. Cozy indoor setting with dim lighting. Soft pink, beige, and cream tones. Subtle film grain, warm faded colors. Editorial magazine style, realistic photography.

πŸ”§ Best for: Gemini, ChatGPT πŸ“± Platform: Instagram, Pinterest

πŸ’• Couple Photo Editing Prompts

Transform ordinary couple selfies into cinematic, romantic portraits. Perfect for anniversaries, engagements, or just upgrading your feed.

Romantic Golden Hour
Popular Gemini

The dreamy, cinematic couple portrait with warm sunset lighting. Works great for engagement announcements.

Create an ultra-realistic 8K romantic couple portrait using both uploaded faces exactly with no changes. Soft golden hour sunset lighting, warm tones. The couple in a natural loving pose, facing the camera with gentle smiles. Dreamy bokeh background with soft light leaks. Cinematic depth of field, editorial quality. Natural skin texture, no heavy filters. Keep same faces, romantic couple pose, change only lighting and background to golden hour scene.

πŸ”§ Best for: Gemini πŸ“· Upload: Couple photo
Studio Couple Portrait
Professional Gemini

Clean, studio-quality couple portrait with professional lighting. The hug-from-behind pose is especially popular.

Studio couple portrait on a pure white background. Preserve both faces exactly. Three-point lighting setup with key light at 45Β° right, soft shadows, gentle skin retouching, neutral color tone. 35mm full-body shot. Natural pose with one person's hand on the other's shoulder, leaning slightly toward each other. Professional photography quality, ultra-realistic. Do not alter the faces.

πŸ”§ Best for: Gemini πŸ“· Upload: 2 separate photos or couple photo
Couple Hugging Edit
Emotional Gemini

Merge two separate photos into a hugging couple portrait. Great for long-distance couples or memorial photos.

Combine these two people into a warm, emotional hugging portrait. Preserve both faces exactly as shown. Indoor setting with soft warm light coming from a window. Natural embrace poseβ€”one person hugging the other from behind. Relaxed expressions, genuine smiles. High-resolution, realistic photography, natural skin tones. Cozy, intimate atmosphere. Do not alter the faces, keep 100% similar.

πŸ”§ Best for: Gemini πŸ“· Upload: 2 separate photos

πŸŽ† New Year 2026 Photo Prompts

Celebrate with cinematic New Year portraits featuring fireworks, gold foil balloons, and festive lighting. Perfect for Instagram and WhatsApp status updates.

Fireworks Celebration Portrait
Hot Now Gemini

The classic New Year's photo with fireworks in the background. Ultra-realistic and very shareable.

Create an ultra-realistic portrait of the person in this photo standing confidently outdoors during a New Year's Eve celebration. Wearing stylish festive attire. Night sky filled with colorful fireworks bursting in the background. City lights and celebrations visible. Warm golden lighting on face, cinematic depth. Floating gold "Happy New Year 2026" text in elegant typography. Keep the face exactly the same, ultra-realistic, 8K quality.

πŸ”§ Best for: Gemini, ChatGPT πŸ“± Platform: Instagram, WhatsApp
2026 Foil Balloons
Trending Gemini

Pose with giant gold 2026 foil balloons in a party setting. High-fashion magazine vibe.

Create an ultra-realistic portrait of the person in this photo posing confidently in front of a sparkling sequin backdrop. Wearing a stylish high-fashion outfit. Bright starburst light reflections creating a dazzling, disco-inspired aesthetic. Giant gold foil "2026" balloons floating behind. Shot in high-end fashion photography style with sharp focus on the face and soft bokeh sparkles in the background. Keep the face 100% similar, cinematic lighting, 8K quality.

πŸ”§ Best for: Gemini πŸ“± Platform: Instagram Stories
Double Exposure New Year
Creative Gemini

Artistic double-exposure style combining your portrait with festive elements. Very Instagram-worthy.

Ultra-realistic double-exposure New Year portrait. Large cinematic close-up blended with bokeh lights, beach or city textures, and festive confetti. Foreground: smaller full-body version sitting on white 3D "2026" numbers. Soft golden daylight, celebration atmosphere inside double exposure. Stylish "Happy New Year" text in gold. Teal and warm cinematic tones, high contrast, 4K quality. Don't change the face, it must be 100% similar.

πŸ”§ Best for: Gemini πŸ“± Platform: Instagram, TikTok

πŸ”₯ Roast My Feed / Personality Prompts

The viral text-based trend where AI analyzes your Instagram feed and roasts your personality. Over 300,000 people have participated. Pure entertainment gold.

Classic Instagram Feed Roast
Viral ChatGPT

The original prompt that went viral. Screenshot your Instagram grid and let ChatGPT tear it apart (lovingly).

Roast my Instagram feed in one paragraph. Be funny, specific, and brutally honest about my photos, aesthetic choices, and what they say about my personality. Point out any clichΓ©s, try-hard moments, or patterns you notice. Make it hurt (but in a fun way).

πŸ”§ Best for: ChatGPT πŸ“· Upload: Screenshot of your Instagram grid
Brutal Personality Roast
Mean Mode ChatGPT

For those who want the extra-savage version. Not for the faint of heart.

Look at this image of my Instagram feed and roast my personality HARD. Be specific and mean about my outfit choices, background decisions, photo poses, and overall vibe. What does my feed say about my deepest insecurities? Roast me like you're a toxic ex who follows me on Instagram and has been waiting for this moment.

πŸ”§ Best for: ChatGPT πŸ“· Upload: Screenshot of your profile
Aura & Vibe Check
Fun Any AI

A mystical take on the roast trend. What does your aura say about your dating life? Find out.

Based on my recent photos, describe my aura color and what it says about my dating life, career prospects, and deepest personality traits. Be specific, mystical, and include at least one uncomfortable truth I'm not ready to hear. Bonus points for being weirdly accurate.

πŸ”§ Best for: ChatGPT, Claude πŸ“· Upload: Profile photos

πŸ’Ό Professional Headshot Prompts

Turn casual selfies into LinkedIn-ready professional headshots. Save hundreds on photographer fees.

LinkedIn Professional Portrait
Utility Any AI

The corporate headshot look with proper business attire and office background. Great for job hunting or profile updates.

Keep the face exactly the same, but change the clothing to a navy blue business suit with a crisp white shirt. Change the background to a blurred modern office with soft natural lighting. Professional headshot composition, shoulders and face visible. Confident, approachable expression. High-quality corporate photography style, clean and polished. Natural skin texture, no heavy retouching.

πŸ”§ Best for: ChatGPT, Gemini πŸ“± Platform: LinkedIn
Creative Industry Headshot
Creative Gemini

A more casual, approachable headshot for creative professionals and startups.

Transform this selfie into a professional creative industry headshot. Keep the face 100% unchanged. Modern casual attireβ€”quality sweater or smart casual shirt. Soft studio lighting with subtle color gradient background. Warm, approachable expression. Shoulder-up framing, slight off-center composition. High-resolution, editorial quality, natural skin texture. Perfect for creative agency, startup, or portfolio use.

πŸ”§ Best for: Gemini πŸ“± Platform: Portfolio, Website

⚑ AI Editing Cheat Sheet: Style Modifiers

Add these keywords to any prompt to enhance your results. Click to copy and add to your prompts.

Lighting & Mood

Golden hour lighting Copied!
Cinematic lighting Copied!
Soft studio light Copied!
Dramatic side lighting Copied!
Neon glow Copied!
Warm candlelight Copied!

Styles & Aesthetics

Studio Ghibli style Copied!
Wes Anderson style Copied!
Cyberpunk aesthetic Copied!
Anime / Manga style Copied!
Vogue editorial Copied!
Y2K aesthetic Copied!
Dreamcore / Liminal Copied!
Claymation texture Copied!

Quality & Technical

Ultra-realistic 8K Copied!
Shallow depth of field Copied!
Film grain texture Copied!
Bokeh background Copied!
DSLR quality Copied!
Natural skin texture Copied!

Important Control Phrases

Keep face exactly the same Copied!
Do not alter facial features Copied!
100% face similarity Copied!
Preserve original identity Copied!

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q What is an AI editing prompt?

An AI editing prompt is a specific text instruction you give to AI tools like Google Gemini, ChatGPT, or Midjourney to transform your photos. These prompts tell the AI exactly what style, lighting, background, and effects to apply. Think of prompts as "magic spells" that turn ordinary photos into viral-worthy content for TikTok and Instagram.

Q Which AI tool should I use for photo editing prompts?

Google Gemini (with the Nano Banana model) is currently the most popular choice for viral TikTok and Instagram photo trends. It's free and excels at preserving facial features while making dramatic transformations. ChatGPT with GPT-4o is excellent for image generation and the "roast my feed" trend. Both tools are free with some limitations.

Q How do I keep my face from changing in AI edits?

Always include control phrases in your prompt such as "Keep the face exactly the same," "Do not alter facial features," or "100% face similarity." Gemini's Nano Banana model is specifically designed to preserve face identity. Using a clear, well-lit front-facing photo also helps the AI maintain your features.

Q Are these AI photo editing prompts free to use?

Yes! Google Gemini and ChatGPT both offer free tiers that include image generation. Gemini is free with your Google account. ChatGPT free users get limited image generations per day. For unlimited use, you can subscribe to ChatGPT Plus or use Google AI Studio with the Nano Banana model for free.

Q What's the best photo to upload for AI editing?

Use a clear, well-lit photo with your face clearly visible. Front-facing shots work best. Avoid heavy filters, extreme angles, or photos where your face is partially hidden. Higher resolution images produce better results. For couple or group photos, make sure all faces are clearly visible and well-lit.

Q Can I use these AI-generated images on Instagram and TikTok?

Yes! AI-generated images are widely used on social media. Most platforms allow AI content as long as it doesn't violate community guidelines. For the best engagement, use trending hashtags like #AItrend, #GeminiAI, #AIedit, or trend-specific tags. Many creators get millions of views by posting before/after reveals.

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