The Holidays Are Here: Time for Food, Family, and Awkward Photos

Ahh, it's the holidays. Time to eat a lot of food, get bloated, have dry skin, and really just look like a hot mess when you slog yourself into the JC Penney portrait studio and give the photographer your best smile that says, "I just really loved dealing with my ungrateful family who complained the entire car ride here because none of us want to be taking these photos in matching holiday sweaters."

Photo by The Now Time on Unsplash
loading...

The Glory Days of Glamour Shots

Back in the 80s and 90s, ladies could show up to any mall in America looking like something the cat dragged in. The fairies who worked at these places would tease their hair a mile high, slap on a pound of makeup, and squeeze them into a shoulderless sparkling dress, and magic would happen. Glamour Shots would give you the full movie makeover and then capture your best supermodel self.

Unfortunately, that ship sailed. A quick Google search shows there are only a handful of Glamour Shots studios left in Texas and New Jersey. I mean, I’d totally go if I could.

AI to the Rescue

But who needs makeup artists, hairstylists, and real photographers when you have AI? Yep, good old ChatGPT to the rescue.

If you’ve been on Facebook in the past 24 hours, you’ve probably seen the barrage of "holiday glamour shots" people are posting. To be fair, everyone I’ve seen has commented on just how inaccurate or cheesy they look. All in good fun. If you think AI will generate something worth sticking on your Christmas card this year, you are sadly mistaken. Go to JC Penney!

I posted one to my own Facebook page, and made the comment that it was my husband's new stepford wife. He promptly replied that her preferred the real me with minimal makeup, sweat pants, and a Golden Girls tshirt. He's a keeper for sure!

WKDQ-FM logo
Get our free mobile app

How to Make Your Own AI Holiday Photo

Okay, so you’re intrigued and want to make an AI photo of yourself. It’s simple:

  • Sign up for ChatGPT – It’s easy and free.
  • Get a good photo – A clear headshot works, but one with your body is even better.
  • Upload your photo – Click the little plus sign in the prompt area and add your photo. You can upload a couple of photos to help the system generate your face more accurately.
  • Give it instructions – Be mindful that the free version gives you one photo generation a day, so make it count (though you can ask to tweak it). Ask it to make a holiday photo for you.

Funny-Glam Holiday Prompts Featuring You

Here are some fun ideas (straight from ChatGPT):

  • “A glamorous portrait of [you] wearing a sparkling sequin Santa gown, holding a giant candy cane, striking a dramatic model pose, festive lights, over-the-top humor”
  • “[You] in a glittery elf-inspired couture outfit, sitting on a throne of presents, exaggerated fashion-magazine pose, playful and festive”
  • “[You] wrapped in colorful Christmas lights like a sparkling dress, holding a glass of champagne, laughing, cinematic lighting, humorous glam”
  • “[You] in a velvet holiday gown with a Santa hat, surrounded by snow indoors, playful high-fashion pose, twinkling lights, fun and chic”
  • “[You] wearing a rhinestone-studded Christmas sweater, sunglasses, striking a red-carpet pose, glamorous and funny, studio lighting”
  • “[You] in a sparkly reindeer costume, posed dramatically in front of a Christmas tree, glamorous editorial style, humorous festive vibe”
  • “[You] as a holiday queen, wearing a glitter crown and flowing red gown, holding a giant ornament, over-the-top fashion shot, funny and elegant”
  • “[You] in a candy-cane striped couture dress, lounging on a pile of wrapped gifts, glamorous lighting, playful, funny holiday editorial”
  • “[You] posing with holiday props like oversized ornaments and wrapped presents, wearing a sequined outfit, exaggerated high-fashion glamour, humorous style”
  • “[You] in a sparkling tuxedo-inspired outfit, holding a giant lollipop like a microphone, dramatic model pose, festive studio lights, funny and chic”

More Holiday Photo Ideas

Classic Holiday Scenes

  • Ask the AI bots to set you in a cozy Christmas living room, decorated tree with twinkling lights, stockings on fireplace
  • Ask the AI bots to show you on a snow covered small town street or ice rink at night like you walked out of a Hallmark movie.

Fun & Nostalgie

  • Ask the AI bots to set you in a scene from the past. I asked it to make me look like an 80s mom on Christmas morning. Yikes!
  • Ask the AI bots to make you into an elf cartoon at the North Pole

Holiday Food & Drink

  • Ask the AI bots to show you with a warm cup of coffee or hot chocolate or jazz things things up with a glass of champagne
CANVA
CANVA
loading...

Tips to Make Your Prompts Stronger

  • Include style: realistic, cartoon, watercolor, cinematic
  • Include lighting: soft glow, warm light, magical lights
  • Include composition: close-up, wide-angle, top view
  • Include seasonal details: snowfall, twinkling lights, ornaments, Santa hat

We can't wait to see what you come up with! Head on over to our app, go to media upload and show us!

More Holiday Content:

10 Signs You are From Evansville, Indiana According to AI

According to ChatGPT, these are the top signs that you are from Evansville. Do you agree?

Gallery Credit: Travis Sams

YEAR IN REVIEW: 2025 in Powerful Photos

Fueled by a nonstop news cycle, 2025 unfolded in real time with historic change, political tension, and powerful emotion. These photos capture the moments that shaped the year.

Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz

More From WKDQ-FM