Three-frame photos are dominating Instagram feeds right now. You’ve probably scrolled past dozens of them already. A vertical image divided into three distinct shots stacked on top of each other, each capturing a different angle or moment. They look polished, cinematic, and surprisingly professional. The good news? You can create them in minutes using Google Gemini.
I first noticed this trend picking up steam a few months back. My initial assumption was that these images required multiple cameras or complex editing software to pull off. I was wrong. With the right AI tool and a well-crafted prompt, anyone can produce them quickly. I’ve spent considerable time experimenting with Gemini’s image generation features, and I’m going to walk you through my exact process.
Get Started with Gemini
Head over to gemini.google.com and start a new chat. This is your blank canvas. Before you write any prompt, you need to pick the right model. Set “Thinking with 3 Pro” as your model. This one works best for creative image generation because it takes time to think through what you’re asking for.
Once your model is selected, attach a photo. You can use an existing photo of yourself or someone else, or describe what you want to create from scratch. Attaching a reference image helps Gemini understand the style and quality you’re aiming for.
The Prompt Template : How to Create Three Frame Photos Using Gemini
Create a 9:16 vertical cinematic photo divided into 3 stacked frames, featuring [subject with details].
-Top frame: [first frame details]
-Middle frame: [second frame details]
-Bottom frame: [third frame details]
Let me break this down so you understand what each part does.
Understand Each Element on this Prompt
The 9:16 ratio tells Gemini exactly how tall and wide your image should be. This ratio is perfect for Instagram because it fills the screen vertically. It’s the standard for this type of content.
Vertical cinematic photo sets the tone. You’re asking for something that looks like it came from a movie, not a casual snapshot. This tells Gemini to add proper lighting, professional framing, and high contrast.
Divided into 3 stacked frames is the key instruction. This tells Gemini you want three separate moments or shots stacked on top of each other, not one image with three people or elements.
The subject with details is where you describe who or what your photo is about. Be specific. Include clothing, attitude, age, environment, or anything that helps paint a picture. “A person” is too vague. “A stylish young man in his late 20s wearing a black leather jacket with a sharp haircut and confident attitude” is much better.
Top frame, middle frame, bottom frame each get their own instruction. This is where you control the story flow. Think about how a director would shoot a scene. Start with something tight and personal, move to a medium shot, then pull back for the full-body view. Or mix it up however you want.
Real Examples That Work
Let me show you three examples I’ve used successfully. These follow the template exactly.
Example 1-1 : The Urban Woman
Create a 9:16 vertical cinematic photo divided into 3 stacked frames, featuring a stylish young woman in his late 20s wearing a black leather jacket, sharp haircut, and confident attitude.
-Top frame: Close-up of his face with intense eye contact, soft side lighting, shallow depth of field, blurred city lights in the background.
-Middle frame: Medium shot showing his upper body leaning against a brick wall, hands in pockets, neon street lights reflecting on the jacket.
-Bottom frame: Full-body shot of him walking down an empty urban street at night, wet road reflections, moody cinematic lighting.
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This one works great because it tells a visual story. You see the face first, then the attitude, then the action. Each frame builds on the last.
Example 1-2 : The Urban Guy
Create a 9:16 vertical cinematic photo divided into 3 stacked frames, featuring a stylish young man in his late 20s wearing a black leather jacket, sharp haircut, and confident attitude.
-Top frame: Close-up of his face with intense eye contact, soft side lighting, shallow depth of field, blurred city lights in the background.
-Middle frame: Medium shot showing his upper body leaning against a brick wall, hands in pockets, neon street lights reflecting on the jacket.
-Bottom frame: Full-body shot of him walking down an empty urban street at night, wet road reflections, moody cinematic lighting.
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This one works great because it tells a visual story. You see the face first, then the attitude, then the action. Each frame builds on the last.
Example 2-1 : The Fitness Focus
Create a 9:16 vertical cinematic photo divided into 3 stacked frames, featuring a fitness-focused woman wearing activewear in a gym environment.
-Top frame: Close-up of her focused expression with sweat details, dramatic top lighting.
-Middle frame: Medium shot of her gripping dumbbells, muscles engaged, gym equipment blurred in background.
-Bottom frame: Full-body shot of her performing a powerful workout pose, strong shadows, cinematic contrast.
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This approach works well when you want to show action or progression. Gemini picks up on the intensity in each frame and makes the whole piece feel energetic.
Example 2-2 : The Fitness Focus
Create a 9:16 vertical cinematic photo divided into 3 stacked frames, featuring a fitness-focused man wearing activewear in a gym environment.
-Top frame: Close-up of her focused expression with sweat details, dramatic top lighting.
-Middle frame: Medium shot of her gripping dumbbells, muscles engaged, gym equipment blurred in background.
-Bottom frame: Full-body shot of her performing a powerful workout pose, strong shadows, cinematic contrast.
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This approach works well when you want to show action or progression. Gemini picks up on the intensity in each frame and makes the whole piece feel energetic.
Example 3: The Photographer
Create a 9:16 vertical cinematic photo divided into 3 stacked frames, featuring a street photographer wearing casual urban clothing.
-Top frame: Close-up of his face partially hidden behind a camera, focused expression.
-Middle frame: Medium shot of him holding the camera ready to shoot, city street blurred behind.
-Bottom frame: Full-body shot of him standing at a busy crosswalk, motion blur from people passing.
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Notice how each example starts tight and zooms out? That’s the pattern that tends to work best.
Tips for Better Results
Be specific in your prompts. The more detail you give Gemini, the more accurate the output will be. Instead of saying “a person,” describe clothing, age range, facial expression, mood, and surroundings. Clear descriptions lead to stronger, more relevant visuals.
Pay close attention to lighting. Always mention the lighting style in each frame. Phrases like soft side lighting, neon street lights, or dramatic top lighting significantly influence the final image quality and atmosphere.
Use dynamic action verbs . Avoid static descriptions. Explain what the subject is doing, such as leaning against a wall, gripping dumbbells, or walking down a street. Action adds energy and realism to the image.
Build a visual narrative . Each frame should connect naturally while adding something new. Transition from close-up to wide shots, or shift emotions gradually. A strong flow keeps viewers engaged from top to bottom.
The Results
When you use this prompt with Thinking with 3 Pro, Gemini produces a single vertical image that looks like three stacked photos. The output is clean, polished, and professional. Even though each section shows a different moment, the overall image feels unified and intentional.
These images perform well on Instagram . They attract attention, earn solid engagement, and stand out in a feed filled with ordinary photos. People recognize the creativity and are more likely to share them.
Three-frame visuals once required expensive gear or advanced editing skills. Now, you can create them in minutes using only a text prompt. Gemini has made high-quality visual storytelling accessible to everyone.
If you haven’t tested this yet, it’s worth trying . Start with one example, customize it around your interests, and see the result. You may be surprised by how professional it looks. Once you find a version you like, post it and join the trend.
