How to Make an Aesthetic Photo in Midjourney: A Cheat Note

Learn the essential techniques for creating stunning aesthetic photos in Midjourney with this comprehensive guide to crafting the perfect AI art prompts.

Introduction

Have you ever struggled to create that perfect aesthetic image for your blog, Instagram, or business materials? Even as a former illustrator, I’ve seen friends succeed in business without knowing how to make these kinds of images. But those skills certainly don’t hurt, and I’m here to help.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to make an aesthetic photo in Midjourney that captures the perfect mood, style, and visual impact for your specific needs. By the end, you’ll be crafting prompts that consistently produce beautiful, usable images that look intentional rather than AI-generated.

Step 1: Decide What Kind of “Aesthetic” You’re Aiming For

Before typing a single word into Midjourney, you need to clarify what “aesthetic” means for your specific project. This isn’t just about making something pretty—it’s about creating visual consistency with intention.

To determine your aesthetic direction:

Define the specific mood you want to evoke (calm, energetic, mysterious)
Identify a limited color palette that works with your brand
Consider the texture and “feel” of the image (soft, crisp, gritty)
Clarify the overall vibe (minimalist, vintage, futuristic)

Ask yourself these key questions:

What is this image actually for? (blog header, social post, product mockup)
What emotion should viewers feel when seeing it?
Which visual styles naturally appeal to you?

My friend is a florist who mainly does outdoor weddings. Her Instagram feed has a lighter, white, aesthetic feel with some pastel tones and grass greens. Her mood would be ‘romantic, pastel colors, soft, lovely’.

Step 2: Write the Prompt Like a Visual Director

Think of yourself as a film director giving clear instructions to your cinematographer—which is Midjourney. Your prompt needs to contain specific visual guidance rather than vague descriptions. In case you don’t quite grasp it, here’s a cheat note.

Template to structure your aesthetic Midjourney prompts:

[Subject/scene], [visual elements], [mood/adjectives], [color palette], [lighting], [composition/camera], [style], –ar [aspect ratio]

Example:

“flat lay of open journal, matcha latte, dried flowers and beige linen, calm and dreamy aesthetic, soft pastel tones, natural light, overhead composition, photography style –ar 4:5”

More specific = better:

“[A grooming session of a wire coat terrier on a professional grooming table, fur visibly textured and slightly tousled], [surrounded by brushes and grooming tools], [serene and happy vibes with calm expression on the dog’s face], [soft natural colors with warm undertones], [warm indoor lighting with natural daylight from a window], [a close-up shot], [aesthetic photography style] –ar 4:5”

Of course, if you’re short on time (or just not in the mood), you can skip the manual prompt writing altogether. Tools like ChatGPT can generate detailed Midjourney prompts for you—just describe what you want in plain language. You can jump straight to Part 3 of this post if you’d rather skip to styling and fine-tuning.

But if you’re curious about how to write better prompts yourself, stick around. It’s easier than it sounds, and kind of fun once you get into it.

2.1 Subject / Scene

Always start by clearly defining what the image is actually of. This forms the foundation of your aesthetic photo.

The difference between “reading nook” and “cozy reading nook with sunlight, pillows, vintage books, and plants” is tremendous in Midjourney. Be specific, but keep it to approximately one sentence worth of base detail.

2.2 Visual Elements

These are the supporting actors in your image that add richness and specificity to create a truly aesthetic photo in Midjourney.

Think in terms of:

Props (ceramic mug, antique clock, leather-bound notebook)
Textures (linen curtains, wooden table, marble countertop)
Supporting visuals (scattered rose petals, morning mist, reflections)

These elements transform generic scenes into aesthetic ones by adding layers of visual interest and storytelling possibilities.

2.3 Mood / Adjectives

The emotional tone is what gives your Midjourney image its distinctive aesthetic quality.

Effective mood descriptors include:

Emotional states: dreamy, melancholic, joyful, serene
Stylistic qualities: elegant, rustic, minimalist, opulent
Sensory impressions: soft, ethereal, crisp, hazy

Try stacking 2–3 complementary adjectives for more nuanced results. “Dreamy and nostalgic” creates a different aesthetic than just “dreamy” alone.

2.4 Color Palette

Color consistency is crucial for creating truly aesthetic photos in Midjourney that align with your brand or message.

You can specify:

Named color combinations (“forest green and burnt orange”)
Palette descriptions (“earth tones,” “pastel colors”)
Color moods (“warm tones,” “cool monochrome”)

Keep your palette limited to 2–3 dominant colors for cleaner, more cohesive results. Too many colors can make an image feel chaotic rather than aesthetic.

2.5 Lighting

Lighting dramatically influences the mood and aesthetic quality of your Midjourney images.

Effective lighting descriptors include:

Natural conditions: “golden hour,” “soft morning light,” “moonlit”
Technical terms: “rim lighting,” “diffused light,” “dramatic shadows”
Atmospheric effects: “foggy,” “hazy sunshine,” “backlit silhouette”

Lighting can transform an ordinary scene into a stunning aesthetic photo by adding depth, dimension, and emotional resonance.

2.6 Camera Angle & Composition

How your scene is framed impacts both the visual interest and practical usability of your Midjourney image.

Consider including:

Viewing angle: “overhead,” “eye-level,” “low angle”
Framing: “close-up,” “wide shot,” “rule of thirds composition”
Focus effects: “shallow depth of field,” “tilt-shift effect”

Composition choices can make your image more suitable for specific purposes—overhead shots often work well for social media, while wider angles might be better for website headers.

2.7 Visual Style

This element specifies the artistic medium or aesthetic tradition you want your image to follow.

Options include:

Photographic styles: “film photography,” “editorial photography,” “polaroid”
Artistic mediums: “watercolor,” “oil painting,” “digital art”
Design influences: “Scandinavian minimalism,” “cyberpunk aesthetic,” “cottagecore”

Being specific about style helps Midjourney understand the visual language you want it to employ.

2.8 Technical Settings

These final elements optimize your image’s dimensions and quality:

--ar 1:1 creates a square image (ideal for Instagram posts)
--ar 4:5 creates a portrait orientation (perfect for Pinterest or Instagram)
--ar 16:9 creates a landscape orientation (great for website headers)
--q 2 increases the rendering quality
--v 6 ensures you’re using the most recent version of Midjourney

Selecting the right aspect ratio is essential for creating an aesthetic photo in Midjourney that works for your intended platform.

How to make aesthetic photo - wire coat dog in salon

An image before the sref code is applied.

Step 3: Use sref for Fine-Tuned Aesthetic Control

For advanced aesthetic consistency, Midjourney’s style reference feature (--sref) lets you inject a predefined visual style into your images.

Here’s how to use it:

Find sref codes in Midjourney community forums or prompt packs
You can google websites like: Midjourney sref codes library
Add the code to your prompt: --sref [code]
Control the strength with weights: --sw 10 (range: 0–100, with 100 being strongest)

For example, my favorite “Minimalistic Abyss” style reference adds a desaturated aesthetic look to a standard photograph.

This technique is also valuable when you need a series of images that maintain the same aesthetic look.

After adding –sref 2350917108

After adjusting the style weight using --sref 2350917108 --sw 10

Step 4: Use the Image with Purpose

Once you’ve created your aesthetic photo in Midjourney, maximize its value by using it purposefully:

Repurpose a single great image across multiple platforms
Create variations of the same aesthetic for visual consistency
Build a library of aesthetically similar images for future use

Remember that the most aesthetic images are those that serve their intended purpose well—whether that’s catching attention, evoking emotion, or communicating brand values.

Bonus

Not sure how to write prompts for aesthetic AI photos?

Just use this template — I prepared a bunch of easy-to-pick options for you.

Mix, match, and you’re done.

Aesthetic Photo Template 2025 Download

Conclusion

Creating an aesthetic photo in Midjourney isn’t about complex technical skills—it’s about having a clear vision and communicating it effectively. By following this structured approach to prompt writing, you’ll consistently produce images that feel intentional, beautiful, and perfectly aligned with your needs.

Remember that the best results come from experimentation and refinement, so keep a log of prompts that work well for you. With practice, you’ll develop an intuitive understanding of how to translate your aesthetic vision into AI-generated reality—saving time and frustration while producing professional-quality visuals for any purpose.

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