Instagram Trending ChatGPT Photo Editing Prompts for Retro Vintage AI Photos
Vintage is in vogue, especially on Instagram, and now, AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini are making it easier than ever to create stunning retro-style photos.
These trending photo editing prompts, designed for easy copy-paste use, let anyone transform ordinary images into nostalgic masterpieces reminiscent of the 70s, 80s, or 90s.
From soft pastel tones to dreamy film grain and Polaroid borders, these AI prompts add instant character and timeless mood to digital portraits, making them perfect for feeds, reels, and viral posts.
In 2025, creators want emotional storytelling and authentic vibes, not just polished perfection. That’s why retro style is trending: it brings warmth, historic charm, and a human touch.
With the right AI prompt, even a modern selfie or street shot can look like a magazine cover from decades ago, bursting with personality and style.
How to Create Retro Vintage Style Images with Gemini
- Access Gemini AI: Open the Gemini app or site and sign in with your Google account.
- Choose your base image: Upload a clear, well-lit portrait or use AI to generate one from a description.
- Craft or paste the prompt: In the prompt box, describe the vintage look you want, for example, "1980s Polaroid portrait, pastel tones, soft film grain, faded colors, moody background."
- Run Gemini AI: Process your prompt. Gemini will produce a vintage retro-style image based on your inputs.
- Refine: Adjust color grading, lighting, grain, or borders using Gemini’s built-in editing options for an even more authentic effect.
- Download and share: Save your final retro photo and share it on Instagram, reels, or wherever you want that nostalgic vibe.
Tips for Better AI Vintage Retro Photos
- Be specific with your prompts: Name the era (70s, 80s), camera styles (Polaroid, Kodak), and features like "grainy film," "warm sepia," or "washed-out colors."
- Combine fashion and mood: Mention outfits (denim jackets, round sunglasses), facial expressions, and lighting (golden hour, moody shadows) for depth.
- Iterate and tweak: Small changes, like adding "dreamy blur" or "retro border," can totally shift your results.
- Focus on emotion: Retro style is about feeling; use adjectives that set a cinematic mood ("vintage romance," "playful elegance").
By following these simple steps and tips, you can create eye-catching, authentic retro-style vintage photos that stand out and capture the hearts of your followers.
Instagram Trending ChatGPT Photo Editing Prompts To Create Trending AI Retro Style Vintage Photos
Prompt 1:
Use This:
"Create a retro cinematic, high-quality portrait of the uploaded image as the main character, sitting on a vintage wooden chair in a relaxed pose. He should be wearing a cream retro suit with an open-collar shirt, styled hair, and a confident yet subtle smile, exuding a cool, timeless charm. The background should feature a 90s retro room with vintage decor, soft golden lighting, and a nostalgic feel. Film grain and cinematic shadows should be present, adding depth and enhancing the nostalgic mood. The image should capture a Pinterest-style aesthetic, with perfectly balanced warm tones and high-detail realism, evoking a sense of vintage elegance. Don't change the face, make sure the face is the same."
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Prompt 2:
Use This:
"Create a cinematic, high-quality portrait of a young man sitting on a soft beige sofa in a dimly lit, elegant room. He should be wearing a loose white button-down shirt and dark blue jeans, holding sunglasses in his right hand while resting his left arm casually on the sofa. His gaze should be directed thoughtfully towards the window, where warm golden sunlight streams in, casting dramatic shadows and highlights across his face. The background wall should feature classic wooden panels with subtle floral patterns, adding to the elegant and timeless atmosphere of the scene. The composition should capture a moody editorial style, with natural golden hour lighting enhancing the deep contrast and warm tones. The scene should have a film-like grain, creating a vintage, cinematic look with a shallow depth of field to focus on the subject. Ensure that the exact framing, pose, outfit, lighting, and overall atmosphere match this description perfectly. Keywords: cinematic portrait, warm sunlight, golden tones, editorial photography, moody atmosphere, film photography look, exact match."
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Prompt 3:
Use This:
"Create a retro vintage cinematic portrait of the uploaded image, with the subject standing in an old window frame. The subject should be wearing a casual striped retro shirt with the top buttons undone and white pants. The style should be inspired by 80s-90s retro photography, with warm golden tones, soft vintage grain, and cinematic contrast. The architecture should feature textured sandstone walls with ornamental carved patterns around the window, evoking a Mediterranean or Middle Eastern retro vibe. The lighting should be warm and slightly dramatic, with a focus on highlighting the subject’s face and torso, while keeping the background dark to create depth. The overall mood should feel stylish, timeless, and effortlessly retro, with a film-like quality to the image. Don't change the face, make sure the face is the same."
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Prompt 4:
Use This:
"Create a cinematic portrait of a young man with curly brown hair, wearing a white linen shirt and dark trousers, reclining on a plush, upholstered sofa. He should be gazing out of a window, bathed in a warm, cinematic beam of sunlight that highlights his profile, casting dramatic shadows across the room. The interior should feature elegant, subtly patterned walls and soft furnishings, evoking a sophisticated and contemplative atmosphere. The lighting should be rich and atmospheric, reminiscent of a classic film scene, with the sunlight enhancing the depth and texture of the surroundings. The overall mood should feel introspective, with a timeless, cinematic quality. Don't change the face, make sure the face is the same."
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Prompt 5:
Use This:
"Create a retro, vintage-inspired image based on the reference picture, with a grainy yet bright aesthetic. The girl should be draped in a perfect cotton saree with a sleeveless blouse, contrasting her beauty and capturing a Pinterest-style aesthetic. The vibe should evoke the innocence of a 90s movie, while her dark brown, silky hair flows gracefully, with a small flower tucked visibly into her hair, enhanced by a romantic, windy atmosphere. She is sitting on the stairs of a Ganga ghat, with the river flowing gently behind her. Her gaze should be directed slightly towards the camera, as she rests one hand on her face, her soothing and intrigued eyes captivating the viewer. Deep shadows and dramatic contrasts should add mystery and artistry to the scene, creating a moody yet enchanting cinematic effect. Don't change the face, make sure the face is the same."
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Prompt 6:
Use This:
"Create a retro, vintage-inspired image based on the reference picture, with a grainy yet bright aesthetic. The girl should be draped in a perfect red retro saree, capturing a Pinterest-style aesthetic. The vibe should evoke the essence of a 90s movie, with her black hair styled in slight wavy curls, mostly straight, and a small flower tucked visibly into her hair, all enhanced by a windy, romantic atmosphere. She should stand against a solid wall, with deep shadows and dramatic contrasts adding mystery and artistry to the scene. The overall effect should be moody yet enchanting, creating a cinematic and timeless quality. Don't change the face, make sure the face is the same."
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Prompt 7:
Use This:
"A hyper-realistic, ultra-detailed medium close-up portrait of a young woman with straight dark hair, looking directly at the camera with a subtle, engaging expression. She is leaning over an old-school, large brown SHARP GF-5454 boombox, with her hands (featuring red painted nails and rings) adjusting the dials. She wears a simple black top, a light olive green saree draped over her, and traditional gold jhumka earrings. A delicate bracelet is on her left wrist. The background is softly blurred, hinting at an indoor setting with various stacked items, contributing to a retro or candid vibe. The lighting is soft and natural. Photorealistic, 8K, shallow depth of field, vintage aesthetic, intimate portrait. Don't change the face, make sure the face is the same."
Prompt 8:
Use This:
" Create a retro vintage grainy but bright image of the reference picture, but draped in a perfect black color Pinteresty aesthetic retro saree. It must feel like a modern movie brown hair and romanticising a windy environment, and hair flowing. The girl is standing against a solid wall, deep shadows and contrast drama, creating a mysterious and artistic atmosphere where the lighting is warm with golden tones of evoking a sunset or golden hour glow. The background is minimalist and slightly textured. The expression on her face is moody, calm, yet happy and introspective. Make sure not to change facial features."
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Prompt 9:
Use This:
"A hyper-realistic, ultra-detailed full body portrait of a young couple standing close, holding hands, and gazing affectionately into each other's eyes. They are positioned beneath a vibrant, blooming bougainvillea vine with bright pink flowers, which drapes over an old, weathered wall. The woman on the left has long dark hair, is wearing a white blouse and a light-colored saree with a subtle pattern, and carries a mustard yellow cloth shoulder bag. The man on the right wears glasses, a light plaid shirt with rolled-up sleeves, and khaki pants. The setting is an old, rustic street or alleyway. The lighting is soft and natural, creating a warm, romantic atmosphere. Photorealistic, 8K, candid moment, shallow depth of field, romantic portrait. Don't change the face, make sure the face is the same."
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Prompt 10:
Use This:
"A hyper-realistic, ultra-detailed medium close-up portrait of a young, romantic couple sitting intimately in a field of tall, dry grass, leaning against the front of a classic black Chevrolet car. The woman on the left, with long blonde hair, is looking up at the man with a tender smile, her arm around his shoulder and hand gently touching his hair. She wears a flowing light-colored blouse. The man on the right, with dark, wavy hair, is looking down at her, wearing a denim jacket over a white t-shirt and blue jeans. The warm, golden hour sunlight backlights them and the car, creating a soft glow and gentle lens flare. The background is a blurred field under a warm sky. Photorealistic, 8K, cinematic lighting, f/1.8 lens, shallow depth of field, romantic, nostalgic atmosphere. Don't change the face, make sure the face is the same."
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Image Credits: Google Gemini AI
