Gemini Revolutionizes Selfies with Stunning LinkedIn Portraits

Transforming Selfies into Professional Portraits with Gemini

The Gemini Nano Banana 2 tool allows you to transform casual selfies into professional portraits ideal for LinkedIn, all in just a few minutes.

The Impact of AI on Professional Photography

Artificial intelligence has the ability to turn ordinary photos into polished and elegant portraits. With precise adjustments to prompts, it is possible to control the lighting, clothing style, and even the background of the images. The results can rival those of portraits taken by professional photographers.

A Traditional Photography Experience

For many, the first experience of posing for a professional portrait dates back to school photos. Dressed for the occasion, one would stand in front of a neutral background, trying to smile naturally. Personally, I missed my senior year photos in high school, but I had to pose during my final year in engineering school. Since then, I have participated in three or four professional photo shoots, including for a book cover and corporate portraits.

Each photo shoot has been costly and sometimes stressful. The most enjoyable experience took place in a Sears photo studio, where my wife chose appropriate backgrounds and helped me achieve a memorable photo thanks to the photographer's patience.

AI as an Alternative to Traditional Photo Shoots

Today, thanks to AI, it is possible to achieve professional-quality results without needing a photographer or a formal photo shoot. Advertisements for these services frequently appear on LinkedIn and Facebook, and even after unsubscribing, they continue to pop up.

Using AI for Professional Portraits

There is no need to pay for a random AI service. In this article, I will show you how to use Google Nano Banana 2 to create professional portraits for free, or as part of the Google AI Pro plan for $20. It is possible to complete this task for free, but you may have to wait a few hours between image generations.

Experimenting with Subjects

ZDNET contributors Steven Vaughan-Nichols and Artie Beaty agreed to participate in our test. Steven provided an image that transformed beautifully, while Artie submitted three photos, one of which was particularly successful. I will explain the prompt used to prepare this image.

First Test: Steven Vaughan-Nichols

Steven's original image was already pleasant, with a nice smile. To transform it into a studio portrait, I used a three-part prompt:

• Produce a hyper-realistic and formal portrait with a dark navy suit, retaining the facial features and hairstyle from the reference image. The expression should convey confidence and serenity, with a touch of authority and intelligence.

This prompt allowed Gemini to maintain Steven's appearance while altering his expression for a more confident look. The choice of a classic navy suit was intentional, although the tie was not specified.

• Use refined and dramatic lighting, with soft studio illumination and delicate shadows to enhance the contours of the face. The background should be understated yet high-end, featuring charcoal tones, deep taupe, or a smooth black gradient.

This prompt defined the studio environment, creating a traditional corporate portrait. The lighting notes helped to clearly separate Steven's head from the background.

• Capture the image in a premium editorial style with sharp focus and cinematic depth of field, as if taken with an 85 mm lens. Ensure extremely high detail, consistent with a polished corporate portrait and a luxury brand aesthetic.

This final prompt positioned the image as a professional portrait, utilizing the 85 mm lens for background blur and natural perspective.

The result is impressive, with the Gemini logo in the bottom right corner, which can be removed using photo editing applications like Photoshop.

Second Test: Artie Beaty

Artie provided three photos, and I chose the one with the best resolution, although the color was better in another. I started by isolating Artie from the photo with this prompt:

• Remove the woman from the image, face the man forward, and center him. Preserve the facial features and hairstyle from the reference image.

This prompt worked well, but I was concerned about the lighting and shadows on Artie's eyes. So, I used the same prompt as for Steven to see the results, and it was a good idea.

Once again, I wanted a red tie, using the same regimental tie prompt as for Steven. Nano Banana added a classic arms-crossed pose, creating an excellent photo for professional use.

Conclusion

There is no need to spend a lot of money on professional portraits through social media ads. With the right prompt, you can achieve professional-quality photos. You can also customize the background, but a classic look remains a safe bet.