AI image tools can produce product shots, lifestyle scenes, backgrounds and campaign visuals in minutes. The difference between generic AI images and visuals that look like a real brand shoot is the prompt. This guide gives you a reliable prompt formula, explains how the major tools differ, and shows how to turn AI images into finished social posts.
Which tool for which job
| Tool | Best at |
|---|---|
| Midjourney | Polished, artistic, photographic looks with strong style control |
| ChatGPT image generation | Following detailed instructions, editing by conversation, readable text |
| Google Gemini (Nano Banana) | Editing your own photos, keeping a subject consistent, blending images |
| Flux | Photorealism and prompt accuracy, available in many apps |
| Ideogram | Text inside images: posters, quotes, typography |
Tools update often, so test the same prompt in two tools before committing. We have dedicated guides for Midjourney, ChatGPT, Gemini Nano Banana, Flux and Ideogram.
The prompt formula
Most strong image prompts include six parts:
- Subject: what is in the image. “A glass bottle of amber serum”.
- Setting: where it is. “On a travertine pedestal”.
- Composition: framing and angle. “Centered, eye level, plenty of negative space on the left”.
- Lighting: the mood. “Soft morning window light with gentle shadows”.
- Style: the look. “Editorial product photography, muted warm tones”.
- Format: the shape. “Vertical 4:5”.
Full example: “A glass bottle of amber serum on a travertine pedestal, centered at eye level with negative space on the left for text, soft morning window light with gentle shadows, editorial product photography, muted warm tones, vertical 4:5.”
Prompting for social media specifically
- Leave room for text. Ask for negative space where your headline will go.
- Use the right aspect ratio: 4:5 for feed, 9:16 for Stories and Reels, 2:3 for Pinterest, 16:9 for YouTube.
- Keep a style recipe. Reuse the same lighting and style words across posts for a consistent feed.
- Design the text separately. AI text has improved, but adding headlines in Canva gives you full control.
Tested prompt packs for brand visuals
Church Media Prompt Pack
Beauty Editorial Prompts
Ad Creative Concept Prompts
Use cases and prompt guides
Product photography
Studio, lifestyle and hero shots without a photographer. See product photography prompts and background replacement prompts for placing your real product in new scenes.
Flat lays
Top-down styled arrangements for beauty, food, stationery and fashion. See AI flat lay prompts.
Lifestyle scenes
People and products in real moments. See lifestyle photo prompts.
3D icons and mascots
Playful 3D graphics for apps, carousels and highlights. See 3D icon prompts.
Fashion lookbooks
Editorial outfit imagery. See fashion lookbook prompts.
Seasonal campaigns
Holiday and sale visuals. See holiday campaign prompts.
Niche visuals
Real estate, food and beauty each have their own guides: AI listing photo and virtual staging prompts, food photography prompts and beauty product photography.
From AI image to finished post
- Generate four to eight variations.
- Pick the best and upscale it.
- Fix small flaws with an edit or inpainting tool.
- Bring it into a Canva template and add your headline and brand elements.
- Export and schedule.
Learn the design half in our Canva social media guide.
Avoid the common mistakes
Vague prompts, too many conflicting styles, extra fingers and fake text are the usual giveaways. Our list of AI image prompt mistakes shows how to fix each one.
Using AI images commercially
Rules depend on the tool and your plan, and they change. Read each tool’s terms, avoid trademarked characters and real people’s likenesses, and be honest when AI imagery represents a real product. We cover the basics in can you use AI images commercially? (not legal advice).
Pair visuals with words
Great images still need great captions. See our guide to ChatGPT for social media content, or browse our AI prompt packs to skip the trial and error.