Midjourney Prompts: 50 Templates That Create Stunning Art

Three months ago, my Midjourney results were… fine. Generic AI art that looked like everyone else’s. Then I discovered what separates mediocre prompts from exceptional ones, and everything changed.

The difference isn’t luck or magic. It’s specific structures, techniques, and parameters that consistently produce professional-quality images. I’ve spent countless hours refining these prompts, and now I’m sharing the 50 templates that deliver the best results.

Every prompt here is copy-paste ready. Just replace the bracketed sections with your specific subjects, and you’re ready to generate. For more AI creative tools beyond image generation, check out our best AI tools guide.

How to Use These Prompt Templates

Before we dive into the templates, let’s make sure you get the most out of them.

The Anatomy of a Great Midjourney Prompt

Effective Midjourney prompts follow a consistent structure:

Subject + Environment + Lighting + Style + Technical Parameters

For example:

Subject: “A weathered fisherman with deep wrinkles”
Environment: “on a wooden dock at dawn”
Lighting: “warm golden hour light, rim lighting on hair”
Style: “portrait photography, candid moment”
Parameters: “—ar 2:3 —style raw”

Essential Parameters You’ll See

For complete parameter documentation, see Midjourney’s official docs.

—ar [ratio]: Aspect ratio (16:9, 2:3, 1:1, etc.)
—style raw: Removes Midjourney’s default artistic styling for more photorealistic results
—stylize [0-1000]: Lower numbers follow your prompt more closely; higher numbers allow more artistic freedom
—no [element]: Excludes unwanted elements

Customizing the Templates

Throughout these templates, you’ll see [BRACKETS] indicating elements you should replace:

[SUBJECT] = Person, object, or scene description
[ENVIRONMENT] = Location or setting
[DETAILS] = Specific characteristics
[COLOR] = Color choices
[STYLE] = Artistic reference

Portrait Photography Prompts

These templates consistently produce professional-quality portraits.

1. Professional Headshot

Professional headshot of [PERSON DESCRIPTION], wearing [CLOTHING], neutral grey background, soft studio lighting with subtle rim light, shot on Canon EOS R5, 85mm f/1.4 lens, shallow depth of field, sharp focus on eyes --ar 2:3 --style raw

Best for: LinkedIn photos, corporate portraits, author headshots

2. Dramatic Environmental Portrait

Cinematic portrait of [PERSON DESCRIPTION] standing in [ENVIRONMENT], dramatic lighting with strong shadows, [TIME OF DAY] atmosphere, documentary photography style, Fujifilm X-T4, natural textures and imperfections visible, authentic moment captured --ar 3:2 --style raw

Best for: Artist portraits, editorial content, documentary-style images

3. Black and White Artistic Portrait

Black and white portrait of [PERSON DESCRIPTION], high contrast lighting, [EMOTION] expression, vintage analog film aesthetic, visible film grain, Tri-X 400 film look, Hasselblad medium format, timeless mood, subtle catchlight in eyes --ar 4:5 --style raw

Best for: Fine art prints, gallery displays, emotional impact

4. Golden Hour Portrait

Candid portrait of [PERSON DESCRIPTION] during golden hour, warm backlight creating rim lighting around hair, [ENVIRONMENT] background with bokeh, natural and relaxed expression, Sony A7R IV, 85mm lens, f/2.0, dreamy atmosphere --ar 2:3 --style raw

Best for: Lifestyle photography, social media, personal branding

5. Close-Up Beauty Portrait

Extreme close-up beauty portrait of [PERSON DESCRIPTION], flawless skin texture visible, [MAKEUP STYLE] makeup, soft box lighting from left, catch light in eyes, high-end cosmetics advertisement style, Phase One IQ4, 100mm macro lens --ar 4:5 --style raw

Best for: Beauty campaigns, cosmetics marketing, high-fashion

Landscape & Nature Prompts

Nature photography templates that consistently deliver stunning results.

6. Epic Mountain Vista

Breathtaking panoramic view of [MOUNTAIN RANGE], dramatic clouds with god rays breaking through, [SEASON] atmosphere, early morning mist in valleys below, professional landscape photography, Phase One XT, 32mm lens, perfect exposure, vibrant yet natural colors --ar 16:9 --style raw

Best for: Wall art, travel content, desktop wallpapers

7. Serene Waterscape

Long exposure of [WATER BODY] with silky smooth water, [ROCKS/ELEMENTS] in foreground, [TIME OF DAY] sky with [CLOUD TYPE], minimalist composition, moody atmosphere, Lee filters, Nikon Z8, 24mm f/8, neutral density filter effect --ar 16:9 --style raw

Best for: Fine art prints, meditation content, calming imagery

8. Moody Forest Scene

Mysterious [TREE TYPE] forest with [WEATHER] filtering through canopy, ground covered in [FOLIAGE], ethereal atmosphere, depth created by receding trees, Pacific Northwest aesthetic, medium format film look, natural tones --ar 3:2 --style raw

Best for: Book covers, atmospheric designs, nature photography

9. Desert Landscape

Vast [DESERT NAME/TYPE] landscape with [ROCK FORMATIONS], dramatic shadows from low sun, warm earth tones contrasting with blue sky, sense of scale with tiny [ELEMENT] for reference, Ansel Adams inspired, large format photography --ar 16:9 --style raw

Best for: Adventure content, travel marketing, minimalist art

10. Night Sky & Astrophotography

Stunning Milky Way arching over [LANDSCAPE FEATURE], countless stars visible, light pollution-free sky, foreground illuminated by moonlight, long exposure astrophotography, Sony A7S III, 14mm f/1.8, star tracker mount, no star trails --ar 16:9 --style raw

Best for: Wallpapers, astronomy content, inspirational imagery

Product Photography Prompts

Transform product images with these professional templates.

11. Minimalist Product Shot

Minimalist product photography of [PRODUCT] on [SURFACE TYPE], soft directional lighting from left creating subtle shadows, clean [COLOR] background, Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, 100mm macro lens, f/8, focus stacking, high-end commercial quality --ar 1:1 --style raw

Best for: E-commerce, social media, clean marketing

12. Lifestyle Product Photography

[PRODUCT] in realistic lifestyle setting, [ENVIRONMENT] with natural lighting from window, styled with complementary [ACCESSORIES], authentic lived-in feel, editorial photography style, Sony A7R V, 55mm f/1.8, shallow depth --ar 4:5 --style raw

Best for: Instagram, Pinterest, aspirational marketing

13. Dramatic Product Hero Shot

Hero shot of [PRODUCT] with dramatic studio lighting, dark [COLOR] background, accent lights highlighting edges, reflection on glossy surface, advertising photography quality, Hasselblad H6D, 80mm lens, premium luxury aesthetic --ar 3:2 --style raw

Best for: Premium brand marketing, advertising campaigns

14. Tech Product Photography

Sleek [TECH PRODUCT] floating against gradient [COLOR TO COLOR] background, soft glow underneath, subtle reflections, Apple-style product photography, clean and modern, focus on design details, CGI-perfect quality --ar 3:2 --style raw

Best for: Tech marketing, app store features, modern brands

15. Food Product with Mood

[FOOD PRODUCT] styled with [INGREDIENTS/GARNISHES], [SURFACE TYPE] surface, warm natural lighting from side, shallow depth of field, appetizing and fresh appearance, food photography by [PHOTOGRAPHER STYLE], restaurant quality --ar 4:5 --style raw

Best for: Food brands, restaurant marketing, recipe content

Cinematic Scene Prompts

Create movie-quality frames with these templates.

16. Movie Poster Composition

Cinematic movie poster composition featuring [CHARACTER DESCRIPTION] in [SCENE], dramatic lighting with [COLOR] tones, fog/atmosphere effects, epic scale, Hollywood blockbuster aesthetic, ARRI Alexa camera look, anamorphic lens flare --ar 2:3 --stylize 250

Best for: Book covers, movie concepts, dramatic marketing

17. Film Noir Scene

Classic film noir scene, [CHARACTER] in [SETTING], high contrast black and white, harsh shadows from venetian blinds, cigarette smoke, 1940s atmosphere, fedora and trench coat era, tungsten lighting, Kodak Double-X film grain --ar 16:9 --style raw

Best for: Mystery content, vintage aesthetic, atmospheric designs

18. Sci-Fi Cinematic

Cinematic sci-fi scene, [CHARACTER/SHIP] in [FUTURISTIC SETTING], volumetric lighting through atmosphere, cyan and orange color grading, Blade Runner 2049 aesthetic, IMAX format, Denis Villeneuve style direction, epic sense of scale --ar 21:9 --stylize 300

Best for: Sci-fi concepts, game art, futuristic marketing

19. Fantasy Epic

Epic fantasy scene, [CHARACTER] facing [ELEMENT/CREATURE] in [ENVIRONMENT], dramatic low-angle shot, [WEATHER] atmospheric effects, Lord of the Rings quality, sweeping orchestral feeling, matte painting background, golden hour lighting --ar 16:9 --stylize 400

Best for: Fantasy novels, game marketing, immersive storytelling

20. Thriller Atmosphere

Tense thriller scene, [CHARACTER] in [OMINOUS SETTING], desaturated colors with [ACCENT COLOR] highlights, sense of danger, shallow depth of field with something in shadows, David Fincher cinematography, RED camera look --ar 2.35:1 --style raw

Best for: Book covers, suspense content, atmospheric marketing

Fantasy & Sci-Fi Prompts

Unleash imagination with these creative templates.

21. Fantasy Character Portrait

Fantasy character portrait, [RACE/CLASS] [CHARACTER DESCRIPTION] with [DISTINCTIVE FEATURE], intricate [ARMOR/CLOTHING] with [MATERIAL] details, dramatic lighting, painted background suggesting [ENVIRONMENT], D&D character art style, digital painting quality --ar 2:3 --stylize 300

Best for: Game characters, book illustrations, RPG content

22. Alien Landscape

Alien planet landscape, [UNIQUE GEOLOGICAL FEATURE], [NUMBER] moons visible in [COLOR] sky, bioluminescent [VEGETATION], otherworldly atmosphere, NASA concept art quality, scientifically plausible, sense of discovery --ar 16:9 --stylize 350

Best for: Sci-fi covers, concept art, space exploration content

23. Cyberpunk Cityscape

Neon-drenched cyberpunk cityscape, rain-slicked streets reflecting [COLOR] and [COLOR] signs, holographic advertisements, flying vehicles in distance, street-level perspective, Blade Runner meets Ghost in the Shell, hyper-detailed --ar 16:9 --stylize 400

Best for: Gaming content, tech marketing, futuristic designs

24. Magical Creature Design

Detailed creature design, [CREATURE TYPE] with [UNIQUE FEATURES], [MATERIAL] scales/fur texture, [ENVIRONMENT] natural habitat, fantasy illustration quality, creature concept art, believable anatomy, professional game art --ar 3:2 --stylize 300

Best for: Game development, fantasy books, creature portfolios

25. Space Exploration

Astronaut [POSE/ACTION] on [CELESTIAL BODY], Earth visible in background, realistic space suit with visor reflections, [EQUIPMENT/VEHICLE] nearby, NASA photography quality with artistic enhancement, inspiring sense of exploration --ar 16:9 --style raw

Best for: Space content, inspirational imagery, educational materials

Anime & Illustration Prompts

Stylized illustration templates that capture anime aesthetics.

26. Anime Character Portrait

Anime portrait of [CHARACTER DESCRIPTION], [HAIR COLOR AND STYLE], [EYE COLOR] eyes with detailed highlights, wearing [OUTFIT], [EXPRESSION] expression, [BACKGROUND], anime key visual quality, vibrant colors, cell shading --ar 2:3 --niji 6

Best for: Character designs, anime-style marketing, fan art

27. Studio Ghibli Style

[SCENE DESCRIPTION] in Studio Ghibli animation style, hand-painted background quality, fluffy cumulus clouds, vibrant greens and blues, whimsical and nostalgic atmosphere, Miyazaki film aesthetic, sense of wonder and adventure --ar 16:9 --niji 6

Best for: Illustration, children’s content, whimsical branding

28. Manga Action Scene

Dynamic manga action scene, [CHARACTER] performing [ACTION] against [OPPONENT/OBSTACLE], dramatic speed lines, impact effect, black and white with screentone shading, Shonen Jump quality, intense expression, kinetic energy --ar 3:4 --niji 6

Best for: Comic illustrations, action content, dynamic designs

29. Chibi Character

Adorable chibi version of [CHARACTER DESCRIPTION], oversized head with expressive eyes, simplified [OUTFIT], [EMOTION] expression, [POSE], pastel [COLOR] background, cute and collectible aesthetic, sticker-ready quality --ar 1:1 --niji 6

Best for: Stickers, merchandise, cute branding

30. 2D Game Art Style

2D game character sprite, [CHARACTER DESCRIPTION] in [POSE], [OUTFIT] with visible equipment, clean linework, flat coloring with subtle shading, mobile game aesthetic, side-scrolling game art, high resolution --ar 2:3 --niji 6

Best for: Game development, indie games, 2D animation

Architecture Prompts

Capture stunning architectural imagery.

31. Modern Minimalist Architecture

Modern minimalist [BUILDING TYPE], clean geometric lines, floor-to-ceiling glass, white concrete and [MATERIAL] facade, reflecting pool, minimalist landscaping, clear blue sky, architectural photography, Dezeen magazine quality --ar 16:9 --style raw

Best for: Architecture firms, real estate, design inspiration

32. Gothic Cathedral Interior

Interior of Gothic cathedral with [SPECIFIC ELEMENTS], light streaming through stained glass windows, dramatic height and vertical lines, sense of sacred space, architectural photography, wide-angle perspective, TS-E lens --ar 3:4 --style raw

Best for: Travel content, religious imagery, historical documentation

33. Futuristic Skyline

Futuristic city skyline of [CITY TYPE], innovative building designs with [FEATURES], sustainable architecture with vertical gardens, skywalks connecting towers, dawn light, optimistic vision of future, architectural render quality --ar 21:9 --stylize 300

Best for: Future concepts, urban planning, speculative design

34. Cozy Interior Design

Cozy [ROOM TYPE] interior, Scandinavian minimalist design with warm touches, natural light from [WINDOW TYPE], [FURNITURE] arrangement, [PLANTS/DECOR], hygge atmosphere, interior design magazine quality, inviting space --ar 4:3 --style raw

Best for: Interior design, real estate, lifestyle content

35. Abandoned Ruins Aesthetic

Atmospheric abandoned [BUILDING TYPE], nature reclaiming architecture, [VEGETATION] growing through cracks, dust particles in shafts of light, melancholy beauty, urban exploration photography, time's passage visible --ar 16:9 --style raw

Best for: Atmospheric designs, post-apocalyptic content, art photography

Fashion & Editorial Prompts

High-fashion and editorial-quality imagery.

36. High Fashion Campaign

High fashion editorial, [MODEL DESCRIPTION] wearing [DESIGNER/STYLE] outfit, [POSE] against [BACKGROUND], dramatic studio lighting, Vogue magazine quality, bold and artistic, fashion week aesthetic, professional retouching --ar 2:3 --style raw

Best for: Fashion brands, editorial content, premium marketing

37. Street Style Photography

Street style fashion photography, [PERSON] in [OUTFIT] walking through [URBAN SETTING], candid moment, natural light, urban backdrop, Scandinavian street style, The Sartorialist quality, authentic and stylish --ar 2:3 --style raw

Best for: Fashion blogs, lifestyle brands, social content

38. Avant-Garde Editorial

Avant-garde fashion editorial, [MODEL] wearing [UNCONVENTIONAL DESIGN], surreal [SETTING/CONCEPT], artistic makeup and styling, bold creative direction, Alexander McQueen meets Bjork aesthetic, museum quality --ar 3:4 --stylize 400

Best for: Art fashion, creative campaigns, gallery content

39. Classic Elegance

Timeless elegance portrait, [MODEL] in [CLASSIC GARMENT], old Hollywood glamour, soft focus with sharp eyes, studio lighting with butterfly shadow, black and white with creamy tones, Irving Penn inspiration --ar 4:5 --style raw

Best for: Luxury brands, classic fashion, timeless marketing

40. Sustainable Fashion

Sustainable fashion editorial, [MODEL] wearing [ECO-FRIENDLY OUTFIT], natural outdoor setting with [ELEMENTS], earth tones, authentic and unretouched skin, conscious consumption aesthetic, editorial quality --ar 2:3 --style raw

Best for: Eco-conscious brands, sustainable marketing, modern values

Food Photography Prompts

Make mouths water with these food photography templates.

41. Rustic Restaurant Style

Rustic food photography of [DISH], served on [PLATE TYPE], reclaimed wood table surface, natural side lighting from window, fresh [GARNISH], steam rising, restaurant menu quality, appetizing and authentic --ar 4:5 --style raw

Best for: Restaurant marketing, recipes, food blogs

42. Overhead Flat Lay

Overhead flat lay of [DISH/SPREAD] with [INGREDIENTS] artfully arranged, marble/[SURFACE] background, natural light from above, cooking in progress feel, ingredients around main dish, food blogger aesthetic --ar 1:1 --style raw

Best for: Social media, recipe content, cooking tutorials

43. Dark Moody Food

Dark moody food photography of [DISH], dramatic chiaroscuro lighting, rich shadows, [COLOR] accent color, vintage plates and utensils, painterly quality, Caravaggio meets food photography --ar 4:5 --style raw

Best for: Premium restaurants, fine dining, artistic content

44. Bright Lifestyle Food

Bright lifestyle food photography, [DISH] in [SETTING], natural daylight, airy and fresh aesthetic, [PEOPLE/HANDS] in frame, shared meal moment, California casual style, aspirational and inviting --ar 4:5 --style raw

Best for: Healthy brands, lifestyle content, social media

45. Macro Ingredient Shot

Extreme macro of [INGREDIENT], every texture visible, water droplets for freshness, black background isolation, jewel-like quality, dramatic side lighting, advertising quality, appetite appeal --ar 1:1 --style raw

Best for: Ingredient branding, health content, premium marketing

Abstract & Artistic Prompts

Explore abstract and conceptual imagery.

46. Fluid Abstract

Abstract fluid art, [COLOR 1] and [COLOR 2] ink swirling in water, organic flowing shapes, high-speed photography effect, clean white sections, movement frozen, modern art gallery print quality --ar 1:1 --stylize 500

Best for: Wall art, backgrounds, creative branding

47. Geometric Patterns

Complex geometric pattern, [SHAPES] in [COLOR PALETTE], mathematical precision, optical illusion effect, inspired by [ARTIST/MOVEMENT], seamless tileable design, vector-clean edges --ar 1:1 --stylize 300

Best for: Textile design, backgrounds, graphic elements

48. Surrealist Composition

Surrealist artwork in the style of [ARTIST], [UNEXPECTED COMBINATION OF ELEMENTS], dreamlike atmosphere, impossible physics, thought-provoking imagery, museum exhibition quality, symbolic meaning --ar 3:4 --stylize 500

Best for: Conceptual content, art installations, thought pieces

49. Texture Exploration

Abstract texture study, extreme close-up of [MATERIAL], every grain and imperfection visible, [LIGHTING TYPE] revealing surface details, tactile quality, minimalist composition, fine art photography --ar 1:1 --style raw

Best for: Background textures, material studies, design elements

50. Conceptual Art

Conceptual art piece exploring [THEME], symbolic visual metaphor, [OBJECTS/ELEMENTS] arranged meaningfully, museum installation quality, provokes thought about [CONCEPT], contemporary art aesthetic --ar 4:5 --stylize 450

Best for: Thought pieces, editorial illustration, artistic expression

Pro Tips for Better Results

After testing hundreds of prompts, here’s what I’ve learned:

Prompt Length Sweet Spot

Midjourney works best with prompts between 40-75 words. Too short and you lose control. Too long and the AI gets confused. The templates above hit this sweet spot.

When to Use —style raw

Use --style raw when you want:

Photorealistic results
Less “AI art” aesthetic
Images that look like actual photographs

Skip it when you want:

More artistic interpretation
Stylized illustration
Creative surprises

Iterating and Refining

The first result is rarely the best. I typically:

Generate 4 images from the initial prompt
Upscale promising options
Use “vary subtle” or “vary strong” on favorites
Note what worked for future prompts

Combining Template Elements

These templates are starting points. Mix elements from different categories:

Lighting from portrait templates + subject from product templates
Mood from noir + setting from cyberpunk
Technical settings from landscape + composition from architecture

Experimentation is how you develop your own signature style.

Evolving Your Prompts Over Time

Your prompts should improve with use. Here’s how to evolve them systematically:

Version your prompts. Keep V1, V2, V3 of your favorites so you can track what changed and why outputs improved.

Build from failures. When a prompt produces bad results, analyze why. Was the subject unclear? Conflicting style directions? Add those learnings to future prompts.

Cross-pollinate. Take successful elements from one category and test them in another. The lighting from portrait photography templates often elevates product shots too.

Effective Style Combinations

Not all style combinations work equally well. These pairings consistently produce interesting results:

Photo-realism + Mood: Combine --style raw with atmospheric elements like fog, rain, or dramatic lighting for images that feel both real and emotionally evocative.

Anime + Architecture: Use --niji 6 with architectural subjects for a distinctive illustrative look popular in concept art.

Cinematic + Portrait: Apply movie-grade color grading and dramatic lighting to standard portrait setups for images that feel pulled from film stills.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best aspect ratio for portraits?

For vertical portraits, use --ar 2:3 or --ar 4:5. For headshots, --ar 2:3 works well. For full-body, consider --ar 3:4 or even --ar 9:16 for social media.

How do I get more realistic results?

Add --style raw to remove Midjourney’s artistic styling. Include camera and lens specifications in your prompt. Reference real photography techniques like lighting setups and film stocks.

Can I combine multiple prompts?

Yes, use the :: syntax to weight different concepts. For example: portrait photography:: moody lighting::2 warm colors::0.5 gives double weight to moody lighting.

What’s the difference between —stylize values?

0-100: Very literal interpretation of your prompt
100-400: Balanced creativity and prompt adherence
400-1000: Maximum artistic freedom, may drift from prompt

For these templates, I recommend 0-300 for most uses, higher for abstract/artistic work.

Conclusion

These 50 templates represent hundreds of hours of testing and refinement. They’re designed to give you consistent, professional results across every category of image generation.

The key to mastering Midjourney isn’t memorizing prompts—it’s understanding why certain elements work together. As you use these templates, pay attention to which techniques produce results you love, then incorporate them into your own creative work.

Start with the templates that match your needs, customize them with your specific subjects, and don’t be afraid to experiment. For comparison with other AI image tools, check out our detailed comparison of Midjourney, DALL-E, and Stable Diffusion. Or if you’re looking for free alternatives to Midjourney, we’ve got you covered. You can also explore the Midjourney community showcase for inspiration from other creators.

Now go create something stunning.

Last updated: January 12, 2026