These 15 prompts generate professional-quality AI headshots and portraits using ChatGPT (GPT Image 2), Midjourney, DALL-E 3, or Flux. Each prompt includes the key elements that make the difference between a generic AI photo and something you'd actually use.
HOW TO USE THESE PROMPTS
For ChatGPT (GPT Image 2): Paste the prompt directly into ChatGPT with Images enabled. For best results, upload a reference photo of yourself first and add "Match the face from the reference photo."
For Midjourney: Add --ar 4:5 --style raw --v 6 to any prompt.
For DALL-E 3 via API: Use as the image_prompt field.
For Flux: Works best with Flux 1.1 Pro on Replicate or Leonardo.ai.
GOLDEN RULE: The more specific you are, the better the result. Vague prompts produce generic output.
THE 15 PROMPTS
PROMPT 1: CLASSIC LINKEDIN HEADSHOT "Professional headshot of a [man/woman], [age range], [brief description: e.g., 'warm smile, confident expression'], wearing a [colour] [shirt/blazer/suit]. Clean, neutral grey background. Studio lighting with soft fill light and slight rim light. Shoulders-up framing. Camera: Sony A7III, 85mm f/1.8. Sharp focus on eyes. Corporate but approachable."
PROMPT 2: EDITORIAL / MAGAZINE PORTRAIT "Editorial portrait of a [man/woman], [age range]. [Describe expression: e.g., 'direct gaze, serious but approachable']. Wearing [clothing description]. Shot in natural window light with shadows. Blurred minimal background, depth of field. Film grain texture. Style: Vogue editorial, [photographer name like 'Annie Leibovitz'] aesthetic."
PROMPT 3: CREATIVE PROFESSIONAL "Portrait of a [man/woman] creative director / designer / artist. Relaxed, authentic expression. Wearing casual but stylish [clothing]. Shot in a modern studio or industrial loft space. Candid-style composition. Cinematic colour grading. Shallow depth of field. The subject looks like someone who builds things. Real, not polished."
PROMPT 4: TECH FOUNDER / STARTUP HEADSHOT "Professional portrait of a [man/woman] tech founder, [age range]. Smart casual: [clothing]. Modern, minimalist background (white wall or blurred open plan office). Direct, confident gaze. Friendly and accessible. Shot on Sony 85mm, shallow depth of field. Warm, natural light. Could appear on TechCrunch or a startup website."
PROMPT 5: AUTHOR / SPEAKER / THOUGHT LEADER "Author headshot. [Man/woman], [age range]. Confident, intelligent expression. [Clothing: e.g., navy blazer, open collar]. Shot in a library, study, or dark atmospheric setting with books blurred in the background. Dramatic side lighting. Deep, rich colours. Looks like someone worth listening to."
PROMPT 6: EXECUTIVE / CORPORATE HEADSHOT "Formal executive portrait. [Man/woman], [age range]. [Clothing: e.g., dark suit, white shirt, tie/silk blouse]. Neutral corporate background (grey or dark navy). Perfect studio lighting, no shadows on background. Very sharp, polished result. Could appear on a Fortune 500 website."
PROMPT 7: WARM / APPROACHABLE PROFESSIONAL "Headshot of a [man/woman], [age range]. Warm, genuine smile. [Clothing: casual professional]. Outdoors or near a window with natural light. Soft, blurred green or neutral background (bokeh). Feels like a real photo, not staged. Approachable and trustworthy. The kind of person you'd want to work with."
PROMPT 8: FITNESS / WELLNESS PROFESSIONAL "Professional headshot for a fitness coach / wellness professional. [Man/woman]. Athletic, healthy appearance. Wearing [fitness brand/athletic wear]. Gym or outdoor setting, blurred background. Good natural lighting. Confident, motivated expression. Strong but not intimidating."
PROMPT 9: DOCTOR / HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL "Professional headshot of a [man/woman] doctor or healthcare professional. White coat or professional scrubs. Clean, clinical background. Warm but professional expression. Builds trust. Hospital or modern clinical setting, blurred. Very sharp focus. Used for a healthcare practice website."
PROMPT 10: EDUCATOR / PROFESSOR "Portrait of a [man/woman] professor or educator. [Age range]. Thoughtful, approachable expression. [Clothing: e.g., casual academic, cardigan, glasses optional]. Bookshelves or classroom blurred in background. Warm, natural lighting. Looks like someone who explains things well."
PROMPT 11: CREATIVE ENTREPRENEUR / COACH "Lifestyle headshot for a business coach or creative entrepreneur. [Man/woman]. Big smile, high energy, authentic. Colourful or modern workspace background (blurred). Casual professional clothing in brand colours. Feels like an Instagram-worthy professional photo."
PROMPT 12: BLACK AND WHITE DRAMATIC PORTRAIT "Black and white dramatic portrait. [Man/woman]. Intense, thoughtful expression. Hard directional lighting creating strong shadows. High contrast. Grainy film texture. Shot on 35mm. Cinematic. The kind of headshot used for a book jacket or TED Talk promotion."
PROMPT 13: OUTDOOR / NATURAL ENVIRONMENT "Portrait in natural environment. [Man/woman], [age range]. Outdoors: [setting: park, urban street, rooftop]. Golden hour lighting. Genuine, relaxed expression. Casual professional clothing. Camera: 50mm f/1.4 bokeh background. Real, not over-edited. Works for LinkedIn or a personal website."
PROMPT 14: AI SPEAKER / FUTURIST "Futuristic professional portrait. [Man/woman]. [Age range]. Wearing [clean, modern clothing]. Dark background with subtle blue or purple lighting. High-tech feel. Looks like someone speaking at a technology conference. Sharp, dramatic, modern."
PROMPT 15: THE CONFIDENT SMILE "Natural, professional headshot. [Man/woman], [age range]. Genuine confident smile. [Clothing: smart casual]. Studio-style white or neutral background. Even, flattering lighting. Looks like a real person who is competent and likeable. No retouching beyond what would appear in a professional photograph."
TIPS FOR BETTER RESULTS
Add these phrases to any prompt to improve quality:
- "Photorealistic, not illustrated"
- "High resolution, sharp focus on eyes"
- "Professional photography, not AI-looking"
- "Natural skin texture, not over-smoothed"
- "Shallow depth of field, bokeh background"
- "Golden hour / window light / studio lighting" (pick one)
WHAT NOT TO INCLUDE
- Never say "fake" or "illustration" — it shifts the model towards art styles
- Avoid too many specific details about facial features (let the AI work with the reference photo)
- Don't ask for multiple people — focus on one subject
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