IMAGE REFERENCE
FRAMEWORK
Why Your References Matter More Than Your
Prompts
The Problem
GOOD
PROMPTS
AREN'T
ENOUGH
• You've written the perfect prompt.
• You've tweaked every single word.
• But your AI output still looks generic.
• Why? Your references are weak.
WHAT REFERENCES
ACTUALLY CONTROL
Style & Camera Lighting
Aesthetic Angle
Texture & Color Grade Mood &
Material Emotion
"References are the visual DNA.
Prompts are just instructions."
PINTEREST GEMS
Part 1: Angles & Composition
UNIQUE LOW ANGLE POV & LIFESTYLE SURREALISM & SCALE REPETITION & LAYOUT
Framing from below Immersive perspective Playful proportions Geometric patterns
PINTEREST GEMS
Part 2: Style & Texture
WIDE ANGLE & PALETTE TEXTURE & PATTERN EDITORIAL POSE
Distorted perspective Organic repetition Unconventional framing
COLOR BLOCKING LIGHTING & SHADOWS
Hard flash aesthetic Creative obscuration
ORIGIN REFERENCE
STYLE TRANSFER
IN ACTION
ORIGIN REFERENCE
Tupac Portrait Pop Art Style
RESULT
THE PROMPT
"Create me a photo of tupac (refer to the second
image) smiling with a thumbs up in the same textural
and artistic style of the reference image"
"Subject Identity + Reference Style
= Perfect Hybrid"
IDE N T IT Y OUT F IT POS E
Real Example #2
ADVANCED
STACKING
IDENTITY Curly Hair Ref
OUTFIT Red Dress Ref
T H E R E S U LT
POSE Squatting Ref
"Using the face of the curly-haired woman
from image two as a strict identity reference,
place her in the red dress outfit from image
one while strictly matching the pose..."
"Precise control over
every element."
THE 3-STEP
SYSTEM
This is how you build
consistency at scale.
1. Find your visual DNA
2. Upload to AI
3. Write reference-based prompts
KEYWORD COMBINATIONS TO TRY
Editorial Photography Cinematic Style Product Photography
"editorial photography" "cinematic lighting" "luxury product photography"
"magazine aesthetic" "film photography" "minimalist product"
"high fashion editorial" "moody cinematic" "studio lighting product"
"luxury editorial" "warm cinematic"
Portrait Style Lifestyle Specific Moods
"beauty portrait lighting" "lifestyle photography aesthetic" "golden hour photography"
"professional headshot" "aspirational lifestyle" "moody dark aesthetic"
"natural light portrait" "luxury lifestyle" "bright and airy"
"studio portrait"
Pro Tip: Combine 2-3 keywords for more specific results
TWO TYPES OF
REFERENCES
Origin Image
The subject you want to recreate. This is the "what"
— a person, product, or specific scene you'll ask AI
to transform.
Attribute References
The style you want to apply. These control the
"how".
Lighting Camera Angle Texture Color Grade
Mood
"You can mix and match attributes
from different images."
STEP 2: UPLOADING
TO NANO BANANA
1 Go to Nano Banana ([Link])
2 Create a new project
3 Upload your reference images
4 Organize by type (Origin vs. Attributes)
5 Label each reference clearly
"Keep your reference board organized.
You'll use it repeatedly."
Step 3: The Prompt
THE BASIC
FORMULA
Stop describing the lighting. Stop describing the
camera angle. Just point to the reference.
1. Take [Subject] from ORIGIN IMAGE
+ Apply [Style] from REFERENCE IMAGE
WHY THIS WORKS
Nano Banana doesn't need a paragraph of text. It needs VIS UA L LO GIC
coordinates. Your Origin Image provides the "What", and your
Reference Image provides the "How".
ADVANCED: STACK
MULTIPLE REFERENCES
"Take [SUBJECT] from [ORIGIN IMAGE] and apply:
• The [ATTRIBUTE 1] from [REF IMAGE 1]
• The [ATTRIBUTE 2] from [REF IMAGE 2]
• The [ATTRIBUTE 3] from [REF IMAGE 3]"
EXAMPLE
"Take the model from Image 1 and apply the overhead camera
angle from Image 2, the studio lighting from Image 3, and the
luxury aesthetic from Image 4."
"Each reference controls one specific element."
MULTIPLE ORIGIN
IMAGES
When You Have Multiple Subject Options
THE FORMULA
"Combine [SUBJECT 1] from [IMAGE 1]
with [SUBJECT 2] from [IMAGE 2],
using the [ATTRIBUTE] from [REFERENCE IMAGE]"
Example:
"Combine the styling from Image 1 with the pose from
Image 2, using the moody lighting from Image 3"
Best for testing different variations while
keeping the style consistent.
WHAT NOT TO DO
Using Low-Quality References Being Vague About Attributes
Problem: Blurry, poorly lit, or generic images confuse the Problem: "Make it look better" doesn't give specific
AI. direction.
→ Solution: Choose sharp, well-composed references. → Solution: "Apply the warm golden hour lighting from
Image 2."
Too Many References Not Labeling References
Problem: Overloading the prompt with 10+ images Problem: Forgetting which image controls which
creates chaos. attribute.
→ Solution: Stick to 3-5 key references per prompt. → Solution: Label clearly (Lighting, Angle, Mood) in
Nano Banana.
YOUR REFERENCE CHECKLIST
Don't hit generate until you've checked these boxes.
01. THE REFERENCE AUDIT 02. THE PROMPT LOGIC
Is the lighting distinct? Is the Subject defined?
Does it have clear shadows and highlights, or is it flat? Did you clearly state WHAT the main subject is?
Is the texture visible? Is the Role assigned?
Can you see skin pores, fabric weave, or material grain? Did you tell the AI to use the reference for "Style" or
"Structure"?
Is the composition clear?
Is the subject placement obvious enough for the AI to Is it simple?
mimic? Did you remove unnecessary adjectives that fight the
reference?
NEXT STEPS
Your roadmap to visual consistency.
01 AUDIT YOUR FEED
Don't just scroll. Save 5 images that stop you in
your tracks. Look for the "visual hook."
02 DEFINE YOUR DNA STOP GUESSING.
Identify the common thread. Is it the lighting?
The texture? The mood? Name it. Start Referencing.
03 EXECUTE
Upload your best reference to Nano Banana. Use
the formula: "Subject + Reference Style + Context"
Cast your shadow
[Link]
IG: @iklipse_
info@[Link]
+357 96 343540
