Here’s How to Turn Photos Into Retro AI Portraits With Gemini

After the earlier buzz around “Ghibli-style” selfies, Google Gemini has returned to the spotlight with another viral phenomenon. This time, the internet is filled with 4K HD realistic retro AI portraits, a trend that has rapidly reshaped timelines across Instagram, X, and other platforms.

Couples have been generating film-like romance stills, while fans are recreating portraits with their favorite celebrities. Instead of GPT-led filters, Gemini now anchors this cultural moment, with millions of users embracing the throwback-inspired visuals.

How to Create Retro Portraits with Gemini

Joining the trend requires only a few steps inside the Gemini app:

1. Install the app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

2. Sign in with a Google account.

3. Upload a picture — single portraits or a pair of photos for couple shots.

4. Select or write a prompt to guide the retro design.

5. Generate the portrait by tapping the arrow button and waiting a few seconds for results.

A sample prompt spreading online shows the style users are chasing:

"Render in 4K HD realism. A portrait of an Indian woman in a translucent saree with long wavy hair, facing slightly to the right under warm light. The uploaded face must remain identical, with retro shadows cast on a plain background."

This prompt format is producing cinematic stills that echo vintage photography, making them popular for Instagram feeds, mod boards, and nostalgic themes.

The momentum has also shifted Gemini’s position in the market. The app recently overtook ChatGPT as the most downloaded free application on both Google Play and Apple’s App Store.

The surge began with the Nano Banana feature, which earlier this month produced 3D-style portrait effects that spread quickly online. Between August 26 and September 9, Gemini added more than 23 million new users, while the same period saw over 500 million images generated through its features.