The Nano Banana Playbook for Santa Clarita Realtors and businesses

How to Use Gemini 2.5 Pro to Transform Your Photos, Supercharge Your Brand, and Win More Attention

By Connor MacIvor — “Connor with Honor”
For SantaClaritaArtificialIntelligence.com/blog and our free members-only community at SantaClaritaAI.com

Why this matters (right now)

Santa Clarita real estate is loud and crowded. Everyone posts the same headshots, the same wide-angle living rooms, and the same “Just Listed” templates. If your visuals don’t stop the scroll, you’re invisible.

Enter Nano Banana (the image creation/editing experience inside Gemini 2.5 Pro). With one solid selfie or property photo, you can produce dozens of sharp, on-brand variations in minutes—perfect for thumbnails, postcards, postcards, reels covers, blog banners, listing teasers, and personal branding.

This guide is your field manual: quick setup, MLS compliance pitfalls to avoid, and a massive catalog of photo styles, use-cases, and ready-to-paste prompts—including versions tailored to your personal photo and SCV listings.

Quick start: NanoBanana in Gemini 2.5 Pro (2 minutes)

1. Go to Gemini.Google.com and sign in.

2. Choose Create images (you’ll see the image model option—what I call “NanoBanana”).

3. Upload a base image (your headshot, a listing exterior, a kitchen hero shot, etc.).

4. Paste one of the prompts below and generate.

5. Export and finish in Canva (background removal, logo/watermark, SantaClaritaOpenHouses.com overlay).

Tip: Start with your best, well-lit source photo. AI will amplify whatever you feed it.

Important: MLS accuracy vs. marketing creativity

• MLS listing photos must be accurate. Don’t remove power lines, repair cracks, add views, or alter materials.

• Save heavy stylization for social media, ads, blog posts, thumbnails, postcards, and your own website.

• When using artistic edits, add a discreet note like “Digitally enhanced for dramatic effect.”

• If unsure, ask your broker before posting.

The Big Style Catalog (with use-cases + prompts)

Below are 70+ styles you can generate from a single photo. Each entry includes what it looks like, where it shines, and a prompt you can paste into Gemini after you upload your image.

A. Agent-centric styles (your personal photo)

1. Comic Book / Graphic Novel

• Look: Bold lines, halftone texture, dynamic shadows.

• Best for: YouTube thumbnails, “Hero Agent” posts, announcement banners.

• Prompt:
  “Transform my uploaded portrait into a high-contrast comic book style with bold inked outlines, halftone shading, dynamic lighting and a confident, heroic expression. Clean background, poster-ready.”

2. Anime / Manga

• Look: Clean lines, expressive eyes, vibrant color.

• Best for: Reels covers, playful market updates, community posts.

• Prompt:
  “Render my portrait as an anime character with precise linework, soft cel shading, studio lighting and a confident smile. Neutral backdrop, professional but friendly.”

3. 3D Cartoon (Pixar-esque)

• Look: Soft, dimensional, approachable.

• Best for: Family-friendly brand moments, open-house invites.

• Prompt:
  “Convert my uploaded headshot into a 3D cartoon portrait with soft global illumination, subtle subsurface scattering, studio backdrop, glossy eyes and clean hair detail.”

4. Dramatic Oil Painting

• Look: Rich brushwork, Rembrandt lighting, museum-grade.

• Best for: Authority pieces, About pages, press graphics.

• Prompt:
  “Paint my portrait in dramatic oil style with textured brush strokes, deep shadows, warm highlights and a timeless, gallery-ready finish.”

5. Watercolor

• Look: Fluid washes, paper texture.

• Best for: Newsletter banners, softer campaigns.

• Prompt:
  “Watercolor portrait of my uploaded image with flowing pigment, soft edges, subtle paper grain and gentle contrast.”

6. Charcoal / Pencil Sketch

• Look: Monochrome, tonal realism.

• Best for: Editorial blog headers, serious topics.

• Prompt:
  “Charcoal sketch of my portrait with rich tonal range, hand-drawn texture, cross-hatching and crisp facial detail.”

7. Pop-Art (Warhol-inspired)

• Look: Blocks of saturated color, repeat pattern.

• Best for: Loud campaign launches, postcards, stickers.

• Prompt:
  “Pop-art portrait grid of my face in four panels with bold flat color blocks, high contrast and minimal detail.”

8. Low-Poly Geometric

• Look: Faceted triangles, digital sculpture.

• Best for: Tech-leaning AI content, data themes.

• Prompt:
  “Low-poly geometric portrait of my face with sharp planar facets, controlled palette and studio background.”

9. Minimalist Line Art

• Look: One-line contours, icon-ready.

• Best for: Logos, avatars, letterheads.

• Prompt:
  “Minimal single-line art portrait with elegant continuous contour, strong likeness and white background.”

10. Double Exposure (You + SCV)

• Look: Your silhouette blended with SCV landmarks.

• Best for: Hyper-local branding.

• Prompt:
  “Create a double exposure portrait combining my profile with Santa Clarita landmarks and foothills, clean white background.”

11. Cyberpunk / Neon

• Look: Night city glow, neon rims, rain sheen.

• Best for: AI/tech posts, edgy thumbnails.

• Prompt:
  “Cyberpunk portrait of me with neon rim lighting, subtle rain atmosphere, glossy reflections and a futuristic vibe.”

12. Steampunk

• Look: Brass, gears, Victorian tech.

• Best for: Craftsmanship messaging, restoration angles.

• Prompt:
  “Steampunk reinterpretation of my portrait with brass accents, subtle cogs, warm metallic tones and vintage framing.”

13. Art Deco

• Look: Geometric symmetry, gold/black elegance.

• Best for: Luxury listings, premium services.

• Prompt:
  “Art Deco poster portrait with geometric ornament, matte black and gold palette, elegant type area.”

14. Vaporwave / Retro-Web

• Look: Pastel gradients, glitch, nostalgia.

• Best for: Youthful audiences, short-form hooks.

• Prompt:
  “Vaporwave portrait of me with soft pink/blue gradients, subtle CRT grain, retro digital motifs.”

15. Gothic Noir

• Look: High-contrast B/W, moody detective vibe.

• Best for: Serious market warnings, risk content.

• Prompt:
  “Noir portrait in stark black and white with dramatic side-lighting, cinematic shadow falloff.”

16. Holographic / Wireframe

• Look: Semi-transparent grid, sci-fi overlay.

• Best for: AI explainers, data overlays.

• Prompt:
  “Holographic wireframe portrait of me with luminous contours, subtle scan-lines and dark studio background.”

17. Solarpunk

• Look: Bright eco-tech, greenery, optimism.

• Best for: Sustainability, “green home” content.

• Prompt:
  “Solarpunk portrait integrating soft greenery accents, clean tech motifs, bright optimistic lighting.”

18. Video-Game Realism (Protagonist)

• Look: Cinematic realism, hero grade.

• Best for: Epic thumbnails, “I fight for my clients” posts.

• Prompt:
  “Cinematic game-character portrait of me with realistic skin, dramatic contrast, and confident stance.”

19. Brand Duotone

• Look: Two colors only (use your brand).

• Best for: Cohesive grid feeds, fast recognition.

• Prompt:
  “Duotone portrait using near-black and matte gold (#0B0B0B and #D4AF37), clean backdrop, bold contrast.”

20. First-Responder Inspired (subtle)

• Look: Confident stance, hint of red/blue light.

• Best for: Personal story posts; not MLS.

• Prompt:
  “Cinematic portrait of me with subtle blue/red edge glow as ambient lighting cues, decisive expression, neutral background.”

B. Agent-in-scene concepts (composites featuring you + property)

21. Hero Walk (Motion Blur Background)

• Prompt:
  “Composite: place me walking confidently in front of a modern home at dusk; keep me sharp, add slight directional blur to background for motion effect.”

22. Reflective Sunglasses (House in Lenses)

• Prompt:
  “Composite portrait: reflect the listing exterior realistically in my sunglasses; golden hour color grade, crisp detail.”

23. Guardian Silhouette

• Prompt:
  “Composite: wide shot of home at dawn with a faint, semi-transparent silhouette of me in the foreground, protective vibe, ethereal.”

24. HUD / Infographic Overlay

• Prompt:
  “Composite portrait with a subtle transparent heads-up display overlay: key stats, beds/baths, square footage, days on market, tasteful and clean.”

25. Deconstructed Glitch Reveal

• Prompt:
  “Composite: luxury home exterior with a controlled glitch ‘tear’ revealing a sharp close-up of my eye within the tear; modern tech aesthetic.”

26. Blueprint Overlay

• Prompt:
  “Composite: overlay semi-transparent architectural blueprint lines over the façade; I’m in the corner pointing, blueprint blends naturally.”

27. Neon Edge Trace (Cyber Lite)

• Prompt:
  “Composite: trace architectural edges and pool outline with faint neon glow; I stand off-center, subtle tech-forward look.”

28. Light-Painting Accents

• Prompt:
  “Composite: add long-exposure light strokes leading the eye to the front door and landscaping; I’m mid-frame, evening ambiance.”

29. Holographic Floor Plan

• Prompt:
  “Composite: render a semi-transparent holographic floor-plan hovering near me in front of the home; subtle glow, clean integration.”

30. Architect’s Hand (Sketching Lines)

• Prompt:
  “Composite: my hand appears to sketch white contour lines over the home’s geometry; design-first narrative, minimalist background.”

C. Property mood & atmosphere edits (MLS-safe versions noted)

31. True Twilight (MLS-safe if accurate)

• Prompt:
  “Create a tasteful twilight grade for the uploaded exterior: warm interior windows, natural sky, realistic white balance and reflections.”

32. Golden Hour Boost (MLS-safe if accurate)

• Prompt:
  “Enhance golden hour tones on exterior: soft sun glow, balanced highlights, realistic shadows, no structure changes.”

33. Rain-Slick Streets (Marketing only)

• Prompt:
  “Add subtle rain sheen to driveway and street, light reflections, overcast sky; cinematic mood for social media.”

34. Fog / Mist Over Lawn (Marketing only)

• Prompt:
  “Light morning mist over landscaping with soft rays through trees; ethereal feel without hiding details.”

35. Sunbeams Through Windows (Interior)

• Prompt:
  “Interior edit: soft volumetric sunbeams through window, dust motes minimal, warm cozy grade; maintain true finishes.”

36. Fireplace Glow (Interior)

• Prompt:
  “Subtle, realistic fireplace flame and warm bounce light; living room feels inviting; accurate materials.”

37. Noir Desaturated Set (Marketing only)

• Prompt:
  “Desaturated exterior with deep contrast, selective highlight on door and windows; moody, poster-like.”

38. High-Key Airy Interior (MLS-safe)

• Prompt:
  “Bright, airy interior grade: soft whites, gentle contrast, maintain true colors of surfaces; clean editorial look.”

39. Crisp HDR (Natural) (MLS-safe)

• Prompt:
  “Balanced HDR tone map to recover window view and interior detail without halos or oversaturation; natural finish.”

40. Bokeh Nights (Marketing only)

• Prompt:
  “Night exterior with tasteful bokeh lights in background; front façade sharp; atmospheric, upscale mood.”

D. Sky & environment swaps (Marketing only unless real)

41. Cinematic Sunset — cotton-candy clouds, warm flares

• Prompt:
  “Replace sky with naturalistic cinematic sunset with soft warm clouds; keep façade color true; gentle lens flare.”

42. Bluebird Sky — classic listing postcard feel

• Prompt:
  “Clear blue sky replacement with subtle gradient; color-accurate house and landscaping; clean real-estate look.”

43. Storm Drama — powerful, moody social teaser

• Prompt:
  “Dark rolling storm clouds behind the home, light breaking at horizon; maintain realistic shadows.”

44. Milky Way Night — for rural views, brand storytelling

• Prompt:
  “Night sky swap to Milky Way panorama; subtle glow in windows; artistic showcase for social media.”

45. Aurora Borealis — magical seasonal post

• Prompt:
  “Low-intensity aurora across the sky, balanced with warm interior lights; whimsical, not overpowering.”

46. Autumn Conversion — seasonal content

• Prompt:
  “Replace trees with mild fall foliage palette; keep grass realistic; soft golden grade; marketing only.”

47. Holiday Fireworks (Distant) — event tie-ins

• Prompt:
  “Distant tasteful fireworks above horizon line; no color cast on house; celebratory holiday post.”

48. Star Trails Long Exposure — nighttime art

• Prompt:
  “Night exterior with star trails across sky; house softly lit; crisp detail, fine-art tone.”

E. Social-first motion (for video/looping posts)

49. Cinemagraph: Pool Ripple

• Prompt:
  “Create a cinemagraph from the backyard: freeze all but subtle looping water ripples, 3-second seamless loop.”

50. Cinemagraph: Fireplace

• Prompt:
  “Cinemagraph of living room: loop only the fireplace flame; everything else still; warm cozy vibe.”

51. Cinemagraph: Curtains Sway

• Prompt:
  “Interior cinemagraph: gentle loop of sheer curtains moving; maintain crisp stillness elsewhere, soft daylight.”

52. Cinemagraph: Clouds Drift

• Prompt:
  “Exterior cinemagraph: slow drifting clouds while home remains perfectly still; subtle loop for banner use.”

Export these as short MP4/GIF and frame them in Canva with your branding.

Prompt bank: “Connor with Honor” agent persona (use with your headshot)

• Vigilant Protector
  “Integrate my portrait into a dramatic dawn exterior; subtle blue/red edge glow hinting at first-responder calm; confident stance, cinematic grade.”

• Determined On Scene
  “Place me in front of a contemporary home under overcast sky with light directional motion blur behind me, sharp subject, ready-to-act posture.”

• Reflective Vision
  “Composite: ultra-clean modern home reflected realistically in my sunglasses; golden hour warmth, editorial polish.”

• Architect at Work
  “Composite: semi-transparent drafting lines overlay near my hand; I’m gesturing to the façade; design-forward narrative.”

• Futurist Guide
  “Portrait with subtle holographic UI elements around me—floor-plan, beds/baths, price—tasteful, minimalist, tech-forward.”

• Local Legend
  “Double-exposure portrait: my silhouette filled with Santa Clarita landmarks and foothills; bright, optimistic finish.”

Workflow: from Gemini to Canva to publication

1. Generate 6–12 variations per session.

2. Cull to the best 2–3 per concept.

3. Finish in Canva: remove background, add SantaClaritaOpenHouses.com watermark, drop in logo, set brand duotone if needed.

4. Export sizes:

   • YouTube thumbnail: 1280×720

   • Blog hero: 1920×1080 (or 1600×900)

   • IG square: 1080×1080

   • Stories/Reels cover: 1080×1920

5. File naming (SEO): santa-clarita-realtor-connor-macivor-comic-style-2025-09.jpg

6. Alt text: “Connor MacIvor comic-style portrait, Santa Clarita Realtor branding.”

Practical campaigns you can run this week

• Market Monday: One agent-style (comic/oil/cyberpunk) + a clean stat graphic overlay.

• Tour Tuesday: Property cinemagraph (fireplace or pool) as a looped teaser.

• Wisdom Wednesday: Noir or charcoal portrait for serious topics (insurance, disclosures).

• Feature Friday: Before/after mood grades of a kitchen or exterior (MLS-safe edit shown clearly).

• Sunday Spotlight: Double-exposure portrait blending SCV landscapes with your profile.

Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

• Over-editing for MLS: Keep stylization to marketing channels; show accurate photos on the MLS.

• Clashing styles: Choose 3–4 brand-consistent looks and repeat them.

• No brand system: Lock your typeface, colors, watermark, and logo placement so every image feels “Connor with Honor.”

• Low-res sources: Feed high-quality originals; AI can’t fix mushy pixels.

Join the community and get the private prompt library

Inside SantaClaritaAI.com (free, members-only), I’m sharing:

• My evolving prompt packs for agent portraits and SCV property moods.

• Screen-recorded workflows from Gemini to Canva to blog.

• A gallery of do/don’t examples for MLS vs. marketing.

The public write-up will live at SantaClaritaArtificialIntelligence.com/blog, but the deep dives, templates, and weekly prompt drops are for members inside SantaClaritaAI.com.

Final word

AI isn’t replacing realtors—it’s replacing generic marketing. If you can show up with visuals that are accurate where they must be and edgy where they can be, you’ll win more attention, more conversations, and more listings.

I’m Connor MacIvor — Connor with Honor.
See you inside SantaClaritaAI.com.