News Desk
13 September 2025, 04:01 PM IST
Create stunning retro portraits with Google Gemini! Learn how to use prompts & join the viral vintage photo trend.
An AI-generated photo posted by an Instagram content creator, another user posted a photo with BTS member Jimin
Just when the internet had barely moved on from the Ghibli-fied selfies and AI ‘Nano Banana’ besties, Google Gemini is back at it again, this time, setting social media abuzz with the “Retro” or “Vintage” AI photo trend.
From lovers recreating dreamy old-school romance looks to fans generating nostalgic portraits with their favourite idols, everyone seems to be hopping on the retro train and for once, it’s not GPT leading the charge. Gemini has taken the front seat, and users are loving the ride.
If you’ve been living under a rock and wondering how everyone’s suddenly been transported to the golden age of vintage romance and timeless portraits, here’s a quick guide to rock the trend with ease.
How to create a vintage retro-style photo with Gemini?
Want to join the trend and turn your selfies into a stunning, old-school portrait? Here’s how to do it:
1. Download the App: Install the Google Gemini app from the Play Store or App Store.
2. Sign In: Log in using your Google account.
3. Upload a Photo
– If you want a couple photo: upload two photos, a photo of you, another one a photo of your girlfriend or crush
– If you’re looking for your solo pictures: upload a beautiful solo photo of yourself.
4. Enter the Prompt: Use a detailed, ready-made prompt or create your own. (See below for a sample!)
5. Generate: Hit the arrow button to generate the image and wait a few seconds for the magic.
Sample prompt for retro AI portraits
“Convert, 4K HD realistic. A stunning portrait of a young Indian woman with long, dark, wavy hair cascading over her shoulders. She is wearing a translucent, elegant red saree draped over one shoulder, revealing a fitted blouse underneath. White flowers are tucked behind her right ear. She is looking slightly to her right, with a soft, serene expression. I want the same face as I uploaded, no alteration — 100% same. The background is a plain, warm-toned wall, illuminated by a warm light source from the right, creating a distinct, soft-edged shadow of her profile and hair on the wall behind her. The overall mood is retro and artistic.”
This style gives your photos a soft, film-like feel that’s perfect for Instagram, moodboards, or just feeling like you’re starring in a 90s romance movie.
Social media reactions: Love at first sight
Users are flooding platforms like Instagram, X and Threads with their AI-generated vintage looks, many paired with 90s Bollywood songs or dreamy K-pop soundtracks.
A user posted, “Ufff this Gemini trend, I’m loving it!”
Another shared dreamy pictures with BTS idols: RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook and captioned it, “This is an AI-edited image imagining me with BTS (#방탄소년단). It’s just for creative purposes and not a real photo or collaboration.”
Some images look so realistic that users are adding disclaimers just to make sure viewers know it’s AI-generated.
The other side: Concerns about AI and privacy
Despite the viral joy, the trend isn’t without its critics. Some users are raising concerns about uploading personal photos to AI platforms and how that data might be used. Still, for now, the appeal of artistic self-expression and the likes that come with it seems to be outweighing the risks.
Try it before the next trend drops.
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