You can turn a normal selfie into a stylish profile picture using ChatGPT or Gemini, both of which can edit an uploaded photo for free within daily limits. Below are five ready-to-use prompts, from aesthetic to professional, a fix-it prompt for when your face changes, and the safety steps that matter before you upload your face anywhere.
What you need
ChatGPT (chatgpt.com or the official app). ChatGPT Images 2.0 launched in April 2026 and is available on the free plan, with a limit of 8 images that resets 24 hours after your first image.
or Gemini (gemini.google.com or the official app). Image generation with Nano Banana 2 is included even without a paid plan, under Google's standard daily limits.
One good selfie: face clearly visible, eyes open, soft daylight, no sunglasses, no heavy filters. A plain background is best.
Step by step
Open the official app only. Upload your selfie in a new chat using the + or attach button.
Paste one of the prompts below and replace [Your Name].
Prompt 1: Aesthetic DP with your name
Using the uploaded photo, create a square 1:1 profile picture of the same person. Keep the face, facial features, skin tone, hairstyle and expression exactly the same. Do not change face shape or make the person look younger, slimmer or different.
Style: aesthetic, soft cinematic lighting, warm golden-hour tones, shallow depth of field, clean blurred background.
Framing: head and shoulders, centred, with space around the head so it still looks good when cropped into a circle.
Add the name "[Your Name]" in small, elegant white lettering at the bottom centre. Spell it exactly as written.Prompt 2: Cool dark-mode DP
Using the uploaded photo, create a 1:1 profile picture of the same person with the exact same face, skin tone and hairstyle. Moody dark background with a subtle neon rim light in [blue / purple / orange] on one side. High-contrast, sharp, modern look. Head-and-shoulders framing, centred for a circular crop. Write "[Your Name]" in a thin, minimal font in the lower part of the image.Prompt 3: Professional headshot (LinkedIn, Naukri, resume)
Using the uploaded photo, create a professional headshot of the same person. Keep the face, features and skin tone unchanged and natural. Dress them in a [navy blazer with a white shirt / plain formal kurta]. Soft studio lighting, plain light-grey background, friendly natural expression, head-and-shoulders framing, 1:1. No text. Make it look like a real photo, not over-smoothed.Prompt 4: Illustrated avatar
Turn the uploaded photo into a [3D animated-film / flat vector / anime] style avatar of the same person. Keep recognisable features: face shape, hairstyle, glasses if any, and skin tone. Simple pastel background, 1:1, centred for a circular crop. Add "[Your Name]" in a playful rounded font at the bottom.Prompt 5: Retro film look
Using the uploaded photo, create a 1:1 portrait of the same person with the exact same face, in a 90s film-camera style: warm grain, slight light leak, soft flash, [plain coloured wall / old Indian street] background. Keep it natural and realistic. Small handwritten-style "[Your Name]" in the corner.If the face looks different, use this fix:
The face has changed. Redo the image and keep the face from my original photo exactly as it is: same eyes, nose, lips, jawline, skin tone and expression. Only change the background, lighting, clothing and style.If the name is misspelt, reply:
The name is spelt wrong. It must read exactly "[Your Name]". Change nothing else.Download and set it. Check the image at small size, since most apps show your DP as a tiny circle.
Good to know
Use only your own photo, or one you have clear permission for. Do not make DPs of friends, celebrities or children without consent, and never use AI photos to pretend to be someone else.
Avoid fake "Nano Banana" or "AI DP" apps and websites. In 2025, IPS officer V.C. Sajjanar warned people to use only official apps, because photos uploaded to fraudulent platforms can be misused and are almost impossible to get back.
Privacy. Do not upload photos with ID cards, your address, school uniform or other personal details in the frame. Check your ChatGPT or Gemini settings if you do not want chats used to improve the models.
AI labels. Gemini images carry an invisible SynthID watermark and metadata even if the visible watermark is turned off. If you post an AI-edited photo publicly, platforms like Instagram may ask you to add an AI label.
Professional use. A headshot that changes how you look can backfire in interviews. Keep it close to the real you, and never use AI photos for KYC, ID or official documents.
Results vary. Sometimes the face drifts or text comes out wrong. Retry with the fix prompts above.
Sources
PCWorld: Google lets you turn off visible Gemini image watermarks
Storyboard18: IPS officer issues cyber alert amid Nano Banana AI craze
CyberPeace: The Nano Banana saree trend, retro glam or privacy risk?
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