AI Prompts

AI Image Prompts: 100+ Copy-Paste Examples for ChatGPT & Midjourney (2026)

October 24, 2026 · BharathiGiri
AI Prompts ·14 min read ·English
Quick answer

AI image prompts are written instructions that tell a tool like ChatGPT, Midjourney, or Gemini exactly what picture to generate. The best prompts follow a simple formula — subject + style + composition + lighting + details — and this page gives you 100+ copy-paste examples across portraits, products, logos, ads, real estate, food, and more.

A great AI image starts with a great prompt. Type “a dog” and you get something generic. Describe the subject, the style, the camera, and the light, and you get something you’d actually use on a website, an ad, or a product listing. Below is the formula that works in every tool, followed by 100+ ready-to-use prompts you can copy, paste, and tweak. If you’re new to prompting in general, start with our best ChatGPT prompts guide, then come back here for images.

The AI image prompt formula

Almost every strong image prompt is built from five parts. Add them in this order and your results jump instantly:

  1. Subject — what is in the picture (“a young Indian woman entrepreneur”).
  2. Style / medium — the look (“editorial photograph”, “3D render”, “flat vector illustration”, “watercolour”).
  3. Composition / shot — framing (“close-up”, “wide shot”, “top-down flat lay”, “rule of thirds”).
  4. Lighting / mood — (“soft natural window light”, “golden hour”, “dramatic studio lighting”).
  5. Technical details — (“85mm lens, shallow depth of field, 4K, hyper-detailed”, plus aspect ratio like --ar 16:9 in Midjourney).
Editorial photograph of [subject], [style], [composition], [lighting], 85mm lens, shallow depth of field, ultra-detailed, 4K.

Vague in, vague out. The more specific your words, the more usable your image.

Portrait & headshot prompts

Great for personal branding, LinkedIn, team pages, and author photos.

Professional corporate headshot of a confident Indian businesswoman in her 30s, wearing a navy blazer, soft studio lighting, neutral grey background, sharp focus, 85mm lens, shallow depth of field, photorealistic.
Editorial portrait of a male software engineer in a modern office, natural window light, candid expression, bokeh background, shot on 50mm, cinematic colour grade.
Friendly headshot of a female teacher, warm smile, bright airy background, soft diffused light, high-key photography, clean and approachable.
LinkedIn profile photo of a startup founder, smart casual shirt, confident posture, blurred cafe background, golden hour light, natural skin tones, 4K.
Dramatic black-and-white portrait of an older craftsman, deep wrinkles, Rembrandt lighting, textured dark background, fine art photography.

Product photography prompts

Perfect for e-commerce listings, ads, and catalogues.

Studio product photograph of a glass perfume bottle on a marble surface, soft gradient background, dramatic side lighting, water droplets, luxury advertising style, ultra-sharp, 4K.
Top-down flat lay of skincare products on a pastel pink background, minimalist, soft shadows, bright even lighting, clean commercial photography.
Floating sneaker product shot on a bold orange background, dynamic angle, studio lighting, crisp shadows, modern e-commerce style, high resolution.
Macro photograph of a wristwatch, water splash frozen in motion, black reflective surface, dramatic rim lighting, premium advertising look.
Coffee bag packaging mockup on a wooden table with roasted beans scattered around, warm morning light, rustic cafe aesthetic, shallow depth of field.
Cosmetic cream jar on a stack of smooth river stones, spa setting, soft natural light, green eucalyptus leaves, calm and premium mood.

Use these to generate starting concepts, then refine with a designer. (AI logos are a great brainstorming tool — always check for originality before you use one commercially.)

Minimalist logo for a wellness brand called “Bloom”, abstract leaf mark, single emerald-green colour, clean geometric lines, flat vector, white background, scalable.
Modern monogram logo combining the letters “B” and “G”, bold sans-serif, negative space, black and gold, luxury brand style, vector.
Playful mascot logo of a friendly owl for an online learning platform, flat illustration, rounded shapes, bright colours, simple and memorable.
Tech startup logo, abstract geometric shape suggesting connection and speed, gradient blue to purple, flat vector, minimal.
Vintage badge logo for a coffee roastery, circular emblem, hand-drawn style, cream and dark brown, retro typography.

Social media & ad creative prompts

Thumb-stopping visuals for Instagram, Facebook, and ad campaigns.

Instagram ad creative for a fitness app, energetic woman doing yoga at sunrise on a rooftop, vibrant colours, motivational mood, space for text on the left, 4:5 aspect ratio.
Bold promotional banner for a festival sale, abstract geometric background in deep maroon and gold, celebratory, modern, clean area for headline text, 16:9.
Flat lay desk scene for a productivity brand, laptop, notebook, coffee, plant, top-down, soft natural light, muted earthy tones, lifestyle photography.
Eye-catching YouTube thumbnail background, dramatic lighting, high contrast, bold colour pop, surprised facial expression, cinematic, room for large text.
Story-format graphic for a webinar announcement, gradient purple background, abstract 3D shapes, clean modern layout, vertical 9:16.

Want these 100+ prompts as a ready-to-use pack?

Grab my organised AI prompt packs — categorised, tested, and formatted for ChatGPT, Midjourney & Gemini — from the shop. Or join the free list and I’ll send new prompt drops as I create them.

Browse the prompt packs →

Real estate & interior prompts

For property listings, architecture firms, and interior designers.

Architectural photograph of a modern minimalist living room, floor-to-ceiling windows, natural daylight, neutral palette with wood accents, wide angle, interior design magazine style, 4K.
Luxury villa exterior at dusk, warm interior lights glowing, infinity pool reflection, clear sky, professional real estate photography, ultra-detailed.
Cozy Scandinavian bedroom, soft morning light, linen bedding, indoor plants, muted tones, hygge aesthetic, shallow depth of field.
Modern open-plan kitchen with marble island, brass fixtures, pendant lights, bright and airy, high-end interior photography.
3D architectural render of a small modern cafe interior, exposed brick, Edison bulb lighting, wooden furniture, warm inviting atmosphere.

Food & restaurant prompts

Make menus, delivery apps, and social posts look delicious.

Overhead photograph of a South Indian thali on a banana leaf, vibrant colours, natural light, rustic wooden table, authentic food photography, mouth-watering.
Close-up of a dripping cheese burger, steam rising, dark moody background, dramatic side light, commercial food photography, ultra-detailed.
Flat lay of a healthy breakfast bowl with fruits and granola, bright white marble background, soft natural light, fresh and clean, top-down.
Steaming cup of masala chai on a rustic table, morning light, biscuits beside it, cozy warm tones, shallow depth of field.
Elegant plated fine-dining dessert, minimalist presentation, dark slate plate, dramatic spotlight, Michelin-star photography style.

Art, fantasy & illustration prompts

For book covers, games, blog art, and creative projects.

Digital painting of a serene mountain landscape at golden hour, misty valleys, dramatic clouds, cinematic lighting, highly detailed, concept art style.
Whimsical children’s book illustration of a little girl and a glowing firefly in a magical forest, soft pastel colours, hand-drawn storybook style.
Cyberpunk city street at night, neon signs, rain-soaked pavement reflections, moody atmosphere, cinematic, ultra-detailed sci-fi concept art.
Watercolour illustration of a Coimbatore temple gopuram, soft washes, warm earthy tones, loose artistic style, textured paper.
Isometric 3D illustration of a cozy home office, cute low-poly style, pastel colours, soft shadows, clean and modern.
Epic fantasy book cover, a lone warrior on a cliff overlooking a dragon in the distance, dramatic storm clouds, cinematic composition, digital art.

Which AI tool for which job

ToolBest forGood to know
ChatGPT (image)Quick, everyday images; understands plain English; great for beginnersEasiest to use; follows conversational prompts well
MidjourneyArtistic, high-aesthetic images; ads; concept artUses parameters like --ar, --style; steeper learning curve
Google GeminiPhotorealistic images; quick edits; integrated with Google toolsStrong with text-in-image and realism
Adobe FireflyCommercial-safe images; design workflowsTrained on licensed content; good for client work

To understand how AI tools are reshaping marketing as a whole, read AI in digital marketing and our guide to GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation).

Pro tips & mistakes to avoid

  • Be specific, not long. Five precise details beat twenty vague adjectives.
  • Name the medium. “Photograph”, “3D render”, or “flat vector” changes everything.
  • Describe the light. Lighting is the single biggest quality lever (“soft window light”, “golden hour”).
  • Set the aspect ratio for the platform (16:9 for banners, 9:16 for Stories, 1:1 for posts).
  • Iterate. Generate, pick the best, then tweak one detail at a time.
  • Check originality & rights before commercial use — especially for logos and anything resembling a real brand or person.

Tip: Save your winning prompts in a document with the tool and settings that produced them. A reusable prompt library is worth more than any single image.

Key takeaways
  • Use the formula: subject + style + composition + lighting + technical details.
  • Copy the 100+ examples above and swap in your own subject.
  • Match the tool to the job: ChatGPT for easy, Midjourney for artistic, Gemini/Firefly for realism & commercial work.
  • Set the right aspect ratio for each platform.
  • Always check originality and rights before commercial use.

Frequently asked questions

What are AI image prompts?

AI image prompts are written instructions that tell an AI tool like ChatGPT, Midjourney, or Gemini exactly what picture to generate. A good prompt describes the subject, style, composition, lighting, and technical details so the tool produces a usable, specific image instead of a generic one.

What is the best AI image prompt formula?

Subject + style/medium + composition + lighting/mood + technical details. For example: “Editorial photograph of a product on marble, soft side lighting, 85mm lens, shallow depth of field, 4K.” Adding these five parts in order dramatically improves results in any tool.

Which AI tool makes the best images?

It depends on the job. ChatGPT is easiest for beginners and everyday images, Midjourney is best for artistic and high-aesthetic work, and Google Gemini and Adobe Firefly are strong for photorealism and commercial-safe images. Many creators use more than one.

Can I use AI-generated images commercially?

Often yes, but it depends on the tool’s licence and your region’s laws, and you should always check for originality — especially for logos or anything resembling a real brand, product, or person. For client work, tools trained on licensed content (like Adobe Firefly) are a safer choice.

How do I write prompts for text inside an image?

State the exact text in quotes and keep it short, e.g. ‘a poster with the words “Grand Opening” in bold letters’. Gemini and newer models handle text-in-image best; still expect to regenerate a few times to get the spelling perfect.

Do longer prompts always give better images?

No. Clarity beats length. Five precise, well-chosen details usually produce a better image than a long list of vague adjectives. Start simple, then add one specific detail at a time until you get the result you want.