ChatGPT Turns Into Personal Photography Studio
Users worldwide are generating studio-quality portraits using ChatGPT’s AI tools, bypassing traditional cameras and lighting gear completely. The trend has surged since creator @ruiz.acosta’s black-and-white AI portrait went viral on Instagram, showing ChatGPT’s potential in image generation.
AI Advances Boost Portrait Realism
ChatGPT’s image capabilities now include understanding complex prompts about lighting, lenses, and emotions. It can generate 10.7K 4HD portraits with depth, expression, and detail that resemble high-end digital renders. A few months ago, the “Ghibli-fication” trend used AI to mimic Studio Ghibli’s style, producing stylised fantasy scenes. ChatGPT now outperforms earlier tools by interpreting highly detailed prompts with greater artistic control and image clarity.
Viral portrait generated of the creator Ruiz Acosta using ChatGPT
What Makes A Prompt Effective
The viral prompt instructed: “Please generate a top-angle and close-up black and white portrait of my face, focused on the head facing forward. Use a 35mm lens look, 10.7K 4HD quality. Proud expression, water droplets on my face. Deep black shadow background – only the face is visible and appears ultra-sharp. 4:3 ratio, with a 1/5 processing depth effect.”
This prompt’s precision enables the model to simulate professional photography techniques. Lens types, angles, textures, and aspect ratios contribute to realistic lighting and cinematic composition.
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Three-Step Process Simplifies Image Generation
Users can follow three basic steps to create their portrait:
📌 Login to ChatGPT.
📌 Upload a preferred image.
📌 Frame a detailed prompt describing the desired outcome.
This method works for both photo-realistic and stylised results across a range of artistic preferences.
Recommended Prompt Samples Released
ChatGPT shared examples that reflect different moods and styles.
Prompt One
“Create a dramatic low-angle black and white portrait of my face with a confident expression. Use a cinematic 50mm lens effect, ultra-high-definition (10K), soft mist around the shoulders, and strong contrast lighting. The background should be completely black, and only the face should be in sharp focus. 4:3 ratio.”
This setup simulates dramatic lighting and controlled framing, often seen in fine-art portraiture.
Image generated of a man using prompt one
Prompt Two
“Generate a moody black and white side-profile portrait with a sharp focus on facial texture. Simulate a 24mm lens look, 4K resolution. Light rain on skin, subtle glistening effect, and soft shadows cast on a deep matte black background. Expression: calm and introspective. Use a 3:2 aspect ratio.”
This example combines weather effects with precise angle and resolution controls.
Image generated of the same man using prompt two
Prompt Three
“Render a high-contrast, close-up monochrome portrait using a virtual 85mm lens effect in 8K. Face should be directly lit with soft tones on the forehead and cheeks. Add light smoke in the background fading into black. Emphasise fine facial details with crisp clarity. 1:1 aspect ratio.”
This approach captures facial texture and mood using simulated photographic depth.
Image generated of the same man using prompt three
Creative Freedom Expands User Options
The tool now supports greater stylistic range, from editorial-style headshots to painterly or cinematic interpretations. AI-generated portraits are appearing across Instagram, X, and Reddit, driving new communities dedicated to prompt-sharing and feedback. ChatGPT’s AI generator adapts to abstract styles and realism alike, with prompt specificity driving better results.
This ChatGPT prompt is going viral on TikTok right now. I gave it the first photo, it gave me the second photo:
“Create A high contrast close portrait of my face focusing on front head, in black and white closeup, 35mm lens, 4k HD quality, Giving proud expression, water… pic.twitter.com/6B7xziBPuC
— Edan Harr (@therealedanharr) June 23, 2025
Portrait Trend Gains Commercial Interest
Content creators and digital artists now use ChatGPT to design covers, avatars, and visual narratives without photography costs. Freelancers and influencers are turning AI-generated portraits into profile images, thumbnails, and merchandising elements. The feature has become especially popular among creators lacking access to professional equipment.
I asked ChatGPT to create a high contrast close up portrait of my face focusing on the forehead in black and white using a 35mm lens in 4K HD quality with a proud expression a hot look and water droplets on my face and here’s what came out 😂 pic.twitter.com/S4xwQ4srUH
— 𓂆 Mohammed (@gazamo7) June 24, 2025
AI Reshapes Creative Workflows
ChatGPT’s image generator allows real-time visual previews, replacing traditional stages of photography and editing. Users can iterate within minutes, testing lighting effects or emotional tones through updated prompts. Artists report that AI-generated previews accelerate design decisions and moodboarding for larger projects.
App Integration Drives Wider Usage
ChatGPT’s image tools now support multiple file types and visual formats, expanding cross-platform use. Users can upload reference images to anchor the AI’s interpretation within a stylistic range. Instagram and X posts regularly show side-by-side comparisons between prompts and resulting visuals.
Summary
With a few detailed words, users are creating portraits rivalling studio-quality images. ChatGPT’s growing role in AI portraiture marks a shift in how people create and share personal visuals online.
