How to write a Nano Banana prompt
Nano Banana is Google’s Gemini image model. It understands full sentences much better than keyword lists, so describe the photo the way you would brief a photographer.
- Describe a scene, not tags. “A golden retriever in a yellow raincoat sits on a diner stool” beats “dog, raincoat, diner, cute”.
- Use photography words. Lens, framing and light (“85mm portrait lens, soft window light”) control the look more than adjectives like “beautiful”.
- For edits, say what stays. Start by naming what must not change, usually the face, then describe the one change you want.
- Set the aspect ratio. Ask for 9:16 if the photo is going to TikTok, Reels or Shorts, or will be animated into a vertical video.
Example Nano Banana prompts
A photorealistic photo of a golden retriever in a tiny yellow raincoat, sitting proudly on a diner bar stool and looking at the camera, in a cozy 1970s diner. Medium shot, shot on a 35mm lens. Warm golden hour sunlight through the windows. Vertical 9:16 composition.
Using the attached photo, keep the person's face, hairstyle, skin tone and expression exactly the same. Change the outfit to a dark three-piece suit with a gold watch and place them in a gym mirror selfie. Direct on-camera flash. Photorealistic, natural skin texture. Vertical 9:16 composition.
Nano Banana in ShortStudio
ShortStudio uses Nano Banana 2.1 for photos and character scenes, at 7 credits per 2K image. Nano Banana Pro is there for the hardest images, at 15 credits. Every photo can be animated into a vertical video in one tap.
Posting the same face again and again? Write a reusable description with the character description generator. Converting an iPhone photo first? Use the HEIC to JPG converter, then fit it to vertical with the photo to 9:16 converter.
Ready to animate? Write the motion with the Veo 3 or Kling prompt generator.