Creating professional-looking images doesn’t have to break the bank anymore. Generative AI tools like MidJourney make it possible to produce realistic, high-quality visuals without the need for a traditional photoshoot. This advanced service can turn creative ideas into stunning pictures that look indistinguishable from reality. The key to achieving these results lies in crafting precise and effective prompts. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of writing prompts that ensure your AI-generated photos look flawless.

Building a prompt

A detailed prompt ensures the neural network knows exactly what you want, reducing errors and saving time on revisions. Think of the prompt as a blueprint for your image—every element you include shapes the final result. Below, we’ll break down the key components of an effective prompt to help you achieve professional-quality images.

Type of Generation. Define the style or type of image you want to create. It could be a portrait, landscape, product shot, abstract art, or anything else. Setting the type of generation helps the AI understand the overall direction.

Example: «A cinematic portrait» or «A modern product shot».

Subject. Specify the main focus of the image. This could be a person, an animal, an object, or even a scene. Clarity is crucial here to guide the AI.

Example: «A young woman», «A golden retriever» or «A luxury wristwatch».

Description of the Subject / Style. Add details about the subject’s appearance or overall style. Mention clothing, colors, textures, or other defining features to make the subject vivid.

Example: «Wearing a vintage dress with floral patterns» or «A sleek, minimalist design in black and silver».

Pose or Action. Describe what the subject is doing or how they are positioned. This brings dynamism to your AI photography and makes it more engaging.

Example: «Sitting on a wooden bench with a relaxed posture» or «Jumping mid-air with arms outstretched».

Environment. Set the scene by describing the surroundings or background. This adds depth and context to your image.

Example: «In a cozy library with shelves of old books» or «On a sunny beach with crystal-clear water».

Lighting. Specify the lighting conditions to create the right mood and atmosphere. Mention the type, direction, and intensity of the light.

Example: «Soft, natural light streaming through a window» or «Dramatic studio lighting with shadows».

Camera Angle and Lens. Indicate the perspective and type of lens to simulate professional photography. This includes angles like close-ups, wide shots, or bird’s-eye views, as well as lens details.

Example: «Shot from a low angle with a wide-angle lens» or «Close-up portrait with a 50mm lens».

Makeup. If the subject is a person, you can add details about makeup or grooming to enhance realism.

Example: «Natural makeup with subtle highlights» or «Bold eyeliner and red lipstick».

Extras. Include any additional elements that will add character or flair to the image. This could be props, accessories, or specific artistic touches.

Example: «Holding a bouquet of wildflowers» or «Surrounded by floating neon shapes».

By combining these elements, you can craft precise prompts that give MidJourney clear instructions and creative freedom within your vision.

Here is an example of an ineffective prompt: «A portrait of a young woman in a realistic style».

Here is an example of an effective prompt: «A cinematic portrait of a young woman wearing a vintage dress with floral patterns. She is sitting on a wooden bench in the garden full of roses with a relaxed posture. Soft, natural light. Shot from a low angle with a wide-angle lens. Natural makeup with subtle highlights.»

Choosing a camera and film

The choice of camera can significantly influence the style and mood of your AI-generated images. DSLR cameras are known for their high resolution, versatility, and ability to capture professional-quality photos. You can use the generic term DSLR in your prompt or specify a particular model to achieve a distinct look:

• Nikon D850
• Canon EOS R5
• Sony A7R IV
• FujiFilm X-T4
• Panasonic GH5
• Leica SL2

Example Prompt: «A studio portrait taken with a Nikon D850, soft natural light, and a shallow depth of field».

GoPro cameras are ideal for action-packed or sporty images, delivering dynamic angles and a sense of movement.

Example Prompt: «Mountain bike race, GoPro camera photography».

For mysterious or surveillance-style visuals, night vision cameras are a perfect choice. They add an eerie, grainy aesthetic often associated with security footage.

Example Prompt: «Security night vision footage of a man in a hood walking down a dimly lit alley, faint fog in the air, with a glowing street lamp in the distance».

Disposable cameras create images with a unique grainy texture and nostalgic color tones, evoking the charm of old-school film photography.

Example Prompt: «Two young women standing closely together in an outdoor setting, looking directly at the camera with serious expressions. They both have long, slightly messy, auburn hair. One is wearing a denim jacket over a striped shirt, and the other is dressed in a light-toned jacket with a black strap visible over her shoulder. The atmosphere is soft and nostalgic, with a vintage, a shot with a disposable camera, warm tones, and visible film grain».

Instax cameras deliver sharper images with a broader dynamic range, lending a more photorealistic and photojournalistic quality compared to Polaroid.

Example Prompt: «Close-up of a young woman with long, wavy blonde hair laughing joyfully in soft natural light. Her expression is full of happiness, and she seems carefree, bathed in warm sunlight coming through a window. The photo has a vintage, Instax-style aesthetic, with deep shadows and a slightly nostalgic mood. The background is softly blurred, emphasizing her bright smile and glowing features».

Lomography, created with Lomo cameras, is characterized by over-saturated colors, high contrast, soft focus, and unique flaws that make the images stand out. The backgrounds often have a dreamy blur due to the camera’s large aperture.

Example Prompt: «Lomo camera photo of an old lady sitting in the rocking chair in the garden, daylight».

For modern, casual aesthetics, using a smartphone camera can create relatable and crisp visuals. Mentioning a specific model, like the latest iPhone, can mimic high-quality selfies or everyday photos. Example Prompt: «Selfie taken by iphone 15 Pro of a high fashion model with Sleek style long straight hair with a dog in a park».

Lighting

Lighting is one of the most powerful tools in AI photography, and it’s no different with AI-generated images. By specifying the type of lighting in your prompt, you can dramatically change the atmosphere, tone, and realism of your visuals. Here’s a guide to different lighting types and example prompts to help you get started.

Type of Lighting	Description	Example Prompt
Natural Lighting	Natural light adds a sense of realism and warmth, making the image feel organic and authentic. Perfect for outdoor scenes or casual portraits.	High fashion model with Sleek style long straight hair, Natural Lighting
Studio Lighting	Creates professional, controlled illumination, often used for portraits or product photography. It delivers a crisp and polished look.	High fashion model with Sleek style long straight hair, studio lighting
Sunrise	Сasts a warm, golden glow, symbolizing new beginnings and serenity.	High fashion model with Sleek style long straight hair meditates, sunrise
Sunset	Adds dramatic warmth and vibrant hues of orange, pink, and red, evoking a romantic or nostalgic mood.	Photo of a woman on the beach, Red sunset sky
Twilight	Creates a mysterious and tranquil atmosphere, with soft gradients of purple and blue.	High fashion model with Sleek style long straight hair meditates on the beach, twilight
Candlelight	Candlelight offers a warm, intimate glow, perfect for cozy or romantic settings.	High fashion model with Sleek style long straight hair in a haunted house, candle light, night
Moonlight	Adds a cool, ethereal quality to night scenes, often highlighting soft shadows and muted tones.	Photo of a girl on the dark street, Moonlight
Light Pillar	Vertical beams of light caused by reflection or refraction, creating a surreal and futuristic effect.	Photo of a woman, Light pillar
Ionized-Air Glow	Scientific-style lighting creates an atmospheric glow often associated with energy fields or futuristic environments.	Photo of a woman, Ionized-air glow
Halo	Сreates a dreamy or divine aura, often used for portraits or ethereal scenes.	Photo of a woman, Halo
Backlighting / Backlit	Places the light source behind the subject, highlighting outlines and adding depth or drama.	A woman in a pink dress dancing in front of exposure, messy hair, Backlighting, movie scene

Focus

It determines which parts of the image draw the viewer’s attention and sets the tone for the visual story. Focus not only enhances clarity but also adds depth, motion, and atmosphere, taking your AI-generated images to the next level.

Below are some key focus styles and how they can be used to elevate your AI creations.

Focus	Description	Example Prompt
Slow Shutter Speed	This technique creates a sense of motion by capturing blurred movements. Perfect for artistic or dynamic scenes.	Man running, rainy, slow shutter speed
Soft Focus	Lends a dreamy, romantic quality to images by gently blurring the edges while keeping the subject discernible. Ideal for portraits or ethereal scenes.	Slavic instagram model in a romantic pink dress, Soft Focus
High-Speed Photography	Captures split-second moments with incredible sharpness, freezing the action mid-air. Great for sports, nature, or any high-energy scenario.	Liquid gold falling into a glass, close-up, highly detailed, high-speed photography, cinematic
Motion Freeze	Similar to high-speed photography, motion freeze focuses on stopping time, but with an emphasis on isolating key moments in action.	Running leopard, Motion freeze
Motion Capture	Motion capture combines sharp focus with subtle motion blur to emphasize movement while keeping the subject clear. It’s excellent for storytelling.	Running leopard, Motion capture
Explosion Motion Effect	This focus style captures the dramatic spread of particles, dust, or water, creating a cinematic and powerful effect.	Running Dog, Still image effect
Tilt-Shift Focus	Tilt-shift creates a miniature effect by blurring parts of the image, focusing sharply on a small area. Ideal for cityscapes or unique perspectives.	A bustling city street captured with tilt-shift focus, making the buildings and cars appear like a detailed model
Selective Focus	This technique emphasizes a single part of the image while softly blurring the rest, drawing the viewer’s eye to the subject.	A bouquet of flowers with selective focus on a single rose, soft pastel tones blending in the background
Deep Focus	Keeps every part of the image, from foreground to background, sharp and in detail. Perfect for landscapes or intricate scenes.	A vast desert landscape with deep focus, capturing the ripples in the sand and distant mountains under a clear sky

Angle and Perspective

In most prompts, angles are added toward the end to guide the AI on how to frame the shot. Here’s a quick overview of commonly used angles for general images:

• Macro. Captures minute details, ideal for textures or tiny objects.
• Macro Close-Up / Extreme Close-Up. A highly detailed and intimate view, highlighting even the smallest features.
• Close-Up. Focuses on the subject while slightly including the background, perfect for showcasing expressions or details.
• Wide Angle. Expands the field of view, making landscapes or group shots appear more spacious and dynamic.
• Diagonal Angle. Adds drama or a sense of movement by tilting the frame diagonally.
• Aerial: Provides a bird’s-eye view, great for landscapes, cityscapes, or large-scale scenes.
• High Angle. Captures the subject from above, often creating a sense of vulnerability or scale. Low Angle. Shoots the subject from below, making it appear powerful or imposing. Oblique Angle. A shot taken at an unusual tilt, adding a creative or unsettling effect.

For Portraits:

• Frontal Angle. The subject is directly facing the camera, offering a clear and straightforward view.
• Profile Angle. Focuses on the side profile, emphasizing contours and features.
• Low Angle. Adds drama or dominance to the portrait, depending on the subject's pose and lighting.
• Eye-Level Angle. Keeps the camera aligned with the subject’s eyes, creating a natural and relatable perspective.
• Over-the-Shoulder Angle. Shows the scene or subject from behind the person, adding a storytelling element.
• Looking Up. Captures the subject gazing upward, often evoking curiosity or wonder.
• Looking at the Camera. Establishes a connection with the viewer by making the subject’s gaze direct and engaging.

Poses

Poses can add personality, energy, and realism, making your visuals more dynamic and engaging. Below is a table of popular poses that work well for AI photography.

Pose	Example Prompt
Dance Pose	Photo of a gorgeous young woman with cupid's bow lips and Nude Makeup in a black airy dress, posing in a Dance Pose
Dramatic Pose	Full height photo of a gorgeous young woman with cupid's bow lips and Nude Makeup on the stage, posing in a Dramatic Pose
Sport Pose	Full height photo of a gorgeous young woman with cupid's bow lips and Nude Makeup in a modern sports suit in dance class, in a Sport Pose
Catalog Pose	Full height photo of a gorgeous young woman with cupid's bow lips and Nude Makeup in a pink airy dress and glass shoes in photo studio, woman in a Catalog Pose
Candid Pose	Full height photo of a gorgeous young woman with cupid's bow lips and Nude Makeup in a pink airy dress on the field, woman in a Candid Pose
High-Fashion Pose	Full height photo of a gorgeous young woman in a High-Fashion Pose, with cupid's bow lips and Nude Makeup in sapphire sparkly glowy dress and crystal shoes on the Tokio street

Makeup

Using prompts to define makeup styles in MidJourney is a fantastic way to elevate fashion shoots and cosmetics advertising campaigns. Below is a collection of prompts for both basic and fantasy makeup styles.

Makeup Style	Example Prompt
Natural Makeup	Closeup portrait photo of a gorgeous young woman with Natural Daytime Makeup
Smokey Eyes	A glamorous evening look with dramatic smokey eyes, bold eyeliner, and neutral lips, studio lighting
Glossy Lipstick	Closeup portrait photo of a gorgeous young woman with cupid's bow lips and Glossy Lipstick
Glitter Eyeshadow	A beauty shot of a model with glitter eyeshadow in gold and bronze tones, glowing skin, and a dewy finish
Neon Makeup	A futuristic beauty look with neon pink and green eyeliner, bright orange lips, and glowing accents under blacklight
Gothic Glam	A dramatic gothic makeup look with dark plum lipstick, smoky black eyeshadow, and pale, matte skin
Fantasy Fairy Look	A magical character with shimmering pastel makeup, sparkles on the cheeks, and floral accents around the eyes

Crafting Hairstyle

To achieve your desired look, include the hairstyle in the middle or end of your prompt along with other details like texture, length, or color.

Here’s a list of key hairstyle elements for women to include in your prompts:

• Long Hair.
• Extreme Hair Extension. Ultra-long, dramatic extensions for a bold and eye-catching style.
• Bangs Hair.
• Hairdo. Generates random, unusual, and creative hairstyles.
• Sleek Straight Hair.
• Sleek Style Hair.
• Slicked Back Hair.
• Short Hair.
• Bob Cut. A classic short bob with clean lines and a timeless appeal.
• Pixie Cut. An ultra-short, playful haircut, shorter than a bob.
• Ponytail. Hair tied back into a simple ponytail for a casual or sporty look.
• High Ponytail.
• Sleek Ponytail.
• Example Prompt: «Full height photo of a woman with extreme hair extension, platinum blond, posing on the roof of the penthause, trendy boots».

Here’s a list of popular men’s hairstyles to include in your prompts:

• Short Hair.
• Buzz Cut. A very short, military-style haircut for a sharp and minimalist aesthetic.
• Crew Cut. A slightly longer variation of the buzz cut, ideal for a sporty look.
• Side Part. A timeless style with hair neatly parted to one side.
• Undercut.
• Slicked Back Hair.
• Pompadour. Voluminous hair styled upward and backward for a bold, retro vibe.
• Quiff. A relaxed and modern variation of the pompadour, with hair styled upward and forward.
• Messy Hairstyle.
• Man Bun.
• Top Knot. Similar to the man bun but placed higher, with shaved or short sides for contrast.
• Faux Hawk. A less extreme version of the mohawk, with shorter sides and a spiked center.
• Mohawk. A bold style with a strip of longer hair running from the front to the back of the head.
• Curly Hair.
• Fringe. Hair left slightly longer in the front and styled forward for a contemporary look.
• High Fade.
• Low Fade.
• Example Prompt: «Full height photo of a man with slicked back hair, black, posing on the roof of the penthause, trendy boots».

Appearance and Style

MidJourney lets you create all kinds of unique and diverse models. You can experiment with different looks, skin tones, eye colors, and ethnicities, making your AI-generated images more inclusive and interesting.

In addition to appearance, MidJourney allows you to craft customized outfits in various styles. From timeless classics to trendy streetwear, you can dress your models to suit any theme or mood.

Here are some useful prompt’s elements for Generating Models.

Skin Tones:

• Tanned Skin.
• Dark Skin.
• Ebony Skin.
• Sun-kissed Skin.
• Shiny/Glowing Skin.
• Matte Skin.
• Pale Skin.

Prompt: «Lensbaby lens photo of a gorgeous young South-African man, posing on a tropical beach at sunset».

Skin Features:

• Blemished Skin.
• Scarred Skin.
• Wrinkled/Aged Skin.
• Smooth Skin.
• Birthmarks.
• Piercings.
• Face Features:
• Chiseled Jawline.
• Double Chin.
• Monolid Eyes.
• Heterochromia.
• Full Lips.
• Cupid’s Bow Lips.
• Droopy Lips.
• Thin Lips.
• Bushy Eyebrows.
• Curly Eyelashes.

Prompt: «Closeup photo of a woman with Acne-Prone Skin».

Outfit Features:

• Streetwear fashion.
• Athletic fashion.
• Urban Fashion.
• Hip Hop fashion.
• Grunge fashion.
• Casual outfit.
• Eclectic outfit.
• Clothing with a print.

Prompt: «Photo of a gorgeous older eclectic woman in an eclectic outfit, big glasses, fur coat,cool, posing in front of a striped pretty mural».

Prompt: «Frontal editorial fashion portrait of a gorgeous woman in a black large-knit turtleneck sweater featuring a print text "I am a QUEEN" in 8-bit style, hard and volumetric light, half body view, expressive face, touching her Diadem on her head and looking down to the camera, dark solid background, Low Angle».

MidJourney opens endless possibilities for creating stunning, lifelike images, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro. From crafting unique styles to experimenting with type of camera, lighting, focus, and angles, this powerful tool helps you bring your creative visions to life. Ready to explore the full potential of AI photography? Start your journey with MidJourney today! And don’t forget to subscribe to our blog for more tips, tutorials, and inspiration—perfect for beginners and advanced users alike.