The Best AI Prompts to Find Creative Inspiration
You have to finish a project by tomorrow, but creativity has decided to take a vacation today… Yep, creative block often comes at the most inopportune times, but at least it’s democratic: it affects everyone. Strange to say, but artificial intelligence can be the perfect partner to get out of these dead ends. Not as a substitute for human creativity, but as a catalyst that awakens “dormant” points of view.
How to Overcome Creative Block with AI: 5 Prompts That Always WorkCreative block always comes at the worst possible time: when you have a deadline to meet, an important project, or simply when you want to create something new, but your brain seems to be off. Here are 5 AI prompts that can get your creativity going again.
1. Brainstorm When you’re stuck writing or can’t come up with ideas for great photos, you need someone to talk to. And if there’s no human around, AI becomes the perfect creative partner. The secret is to give AI a specific role and expertise : You’re a creative director with decades of experience. You suggest some ideas for photographing spaghetti with my phone.
This approach transforms AI from a simple list generator to a specialized consultant. It suggests abstract approaches, geometric compositions, unusual plays of light.
This technique can also be applied to dynamic situations. For example, if you want to take a photo of a sunset, you can use this prompt : You are a landscape photographer with 15 years of experience. Suggest 5 creative techniques for photographing a sunset that go beyond the classic horizon-sun photo.
The result? Completely new ideas: reflections in urban puddles, silhouettes of buildings framing the sun, close-ups of flowers against a colorful sky. While you can’t control the light or the weather, having these ideas in your head makes you more prepared to seize unexpected opportunities.
2. Lightning research for creative decisions Instead of spending hours comparing YouTube videos and technical articles, AI allows you to gather technical information without wasting too much time. A prompt like: What materials can I use at home to create a dramatic natural light portrait photography set?
immediately provides a budget, shopping list, and practical alternatives.
For specific projects, the format is even more powerful: I want to photograph the kingfisher. Give me the best places in Lombardy to spot it between April and May, with times and practical advice.
The AI not only provides locations, but adds specific details such as best times (mid-morning) and practical tips (look for orange and red flowers).
Sometimes creative block comes from being too expert. It seems like a paradox, but it is true. When you know your field well, you tend to always use the same solutions, excluding other possibilities.
For example: How can I structure an Instagram post to promote a cooking class? Give me format, copy and hashtag strategy
AI not only suggests the structure of the post, but explains why certain elements work best and how to adapt them to your specific audience.
For writing: Help me find a tone of voice for a low-cost travel blog aimed at twenty-somethings.
AI not only suggests specific solutions, but explains why certain elements work best and how to adapt them to the specific audience or project. The approach works in any creative field.
Storyboarding is a fundamental phase of creative work, but it can become a tedious, time-consuming and uninspiring activity, especially when working manually with tools like Canva or Photoshop. AI can speed up this process, often with better results. Instead of spending hours on Photoshop or Canva to visualize an idea, just describe what you have in mind and ask for help in structuring it.
For example: Help me create a mockup for an exhibition in a 4×2 meter room. I will use 8 images 35×28 cm with a central image 60×40 cm.
AI generates detailed layouts, suggests alternative arrangements, and considers practical factors such as audience flow and visual impact. This is especially useful when you have limited access to the physical venue and need to plan everything in advance.
For classroom projects, the prompt becomes: How do I visually explain the importance of composition in photography to a teenage student using examples they know from social media?
The answer includes diagrams, TikTok and Instagram analogies, and concrete examples that make technical concepts immediately understandable.
When you edit photos or text, you almost always do it in the same style. AI can help you discover different editing styles than you normally use.
For example, you upload an image and ask for different editing options. How can I edit this photo for a [specific] mood?
Even if you don’t use all the suggestions, AI helps you get comfortable with new styles. AI suggests alternative directions: vintage looks for nature photos, dramatic edits for landscapes, minimal approaches for portraits. Even if you don’t follow all the suggestions, exploring different possibilities expands your visual vocabulary for future projects.
With Claude for example, who does not directly edit images, you get detailed step by step instructions: Edit this image in vintage film style
gives detailed step by step instructions.
As an artist, it is understandable to be reluctant to use AI , but the important thing is to use it responsibly. It should never replace thinking, it is an assistant to save time and bring out your potential . You should not limit yourself to only one AI tool, but try different models to get the most out of it.
The rule of thumb for getting useful results is to give clear and detailed prompts . The more specific you are, the more useful your response will be. Creativity is not just talent: it is also method. This process transforms the creative block from a paralyzing obstacle to an opportunity for growth. When inspiration is lacking, instead of waiting for it to return spontaneously, AI is a reliable system to reignite the creative spark.
Using AI tools like ChatGPT or Gemini to overcome creative blocks requires balance. The goal is not to become dependent on AI, but to develop a toolkit that amplifies your natural abilities. Every interaction with chatbots should teach you something new about your creative process.
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