Using Reference Images

Reference images help guide the AI Photographer toward a specific look - same pose, palette, framing, or lighting. They work alongside your prompt and any preset you choose, giving you more predictable and consistent results.

Open your PhotoGPT dashboard

What Reference Images Do

Use a reference when you want:

• The same pose or body orientation
• A matching color palette, lighting style, or camera angle
• Consistent brand or aesthetic across multiple images
• Faster art-direction without rewriting long prompts

PhotoGPT blends three inputs together: preset → reference → prompt.

Uploading or Selecting a Reference

You can use any clear JPG/PNG up to 10 MB. Square and well-lit images work best.

Upload from device

1. Open the dashboard on the image generator page.
2. Click Reference Icon → Upload.
3. Choose a sharp, bright photo to ensure clean output.

Select from My Library

Any PhotoGPT image can be reused as a reference.

1. Go to My Library or any image in your PhotoGPT repository.
2. Hover an image → Use as Reference.
3. It appears instantly in the reference panel.

Open My Library

Screenshot Placeholder

Reference panel showing upload and library options Where you upload or choose a reference inside the creator.

Adjusting Style Strength

Style Strength controls how closely the AI Photographer follows the reference.

Start around 0.5 and adjust based on how strict or flexible you want the output to be.

Use this slider to control adherence to your reference.

If you need help shaping the text part of your idea, see
How to Write Prompts.

Using References with Presets

Presets apply a full visual theme - cinematic, seasonal, analog film, fantasy, etc.
Once applied, the reference image guides:

• Pose and body structure
• Lighting cues
• Fabric folds / color directions
• Camera angle and framing

This lets you combine your reference with any of the 100+ presets to get fast, consistent looks.

Learn how presets work

A preset defines the theme; the reference keeps your pose and style cues.

Remixing Your Own Photos

Every PhotoGPT creation can be turned into a reference:

1. Open an existing image.
2. Click Use as Reference.
3. Add a preset or simple prompt if needed.
4. Generate variations that keep the same character or framing.

This is ideal for branding consistency, multi-shot campaigns, or style testing.

Quickly remix any past result.

Export

After generating, click Download.

For finer adjustments like lighting or background, use the AI Photo Editor.

Quick Troubleshooting

• Style too strong: reduce Strength or simplify your prompt.
• Colors shift unexpectedly: check your preset choice - some add heavy palettes.
• Pose not matching: increase Strength to 0.7–0.9.
• Blurry reference: upload a sharper image; the AI copies its noise and softness.

Start creating with a reference