This article was updated in July 2024 with contributions from Ana Mireles and Jaymes Dempsey.
I use Lightroom presets for a huge percentage of my photo editing, and I know that many other photographers do the same.
In fact, if you’re a Lightroom user and you’re not yet taking advantage of presets, then you’re missing out. Presets come with so many benefits: they save time, they’re ridiculously easy to use, and they can make your photos look amazing.
But if you’ve ever tried editing with presets, you’ll know that your results can vary dramatically depending on the quality of the presets themselves. That’s why it’s important that you choose the right presets to use!
Fortunately, if you’re looking for the best Lightroom presets, you’ve come to the right place. Given the number of available options, it’s easy to get overwhelmed – or even worse, buy a pack of presets that you’ll never use.
To help you navigate the wide market of Lightroom presets, we’ve put together a selection of the best quality packs (to fit many different needs). So read on to discover our favorite presets, including both free and paid options.
Here we go!
1. Landscape and Travel Photography Presets
If you’re a landscape or nature shooter, then this preset bundle should be at the top of your list. Fine art photographer Jan Erik Waider offers a set of eight Lightroom preset packs, designed for different shooting scenarios. Some target physical locations, such as polar or forest landscapes. Others offer a specific aesthetic, such as cinematic or dark and dramatic.
In my experience, it’s important to exercise restraint when editing nature scenes, but I think these presets do a great job of keeping things natural while also adding some extra pop to your photos. And since the package includes so many presets, it gives you an opportunity to experiment with different looks until you find what works best for your images. As Waider notes, these professional presets allow customization so you can “develop a repeatable personal style.”
In addition to the eight preset packs, the bundle includes a surprise pack and will give you access to all future preset releases. Of course, if you’re not interested in the entire bundle, you can also purchase the packs individually – though the bundle does offer great value!
2. Clean Edit Portrait Workflow Presets
There are literally thousands of portrait preset packs available, but we think that the Clean Edit Portrait Workflow presets, created by Pretty Presets, rise to the top. With a collection of 35 presets and some fantastic bonuses like portrait brushes, this package goes beyond your basic paid preset pack to offer an entire workflow system that guarantees professional-looking results.
And for those who are looking for straightforward presets to enhance your portrait images, you’ll enjoy the Clean Edit Portrait Workflow pack, too. No matter what type of portrait you’re working with, these presets can help. They bring out vibrant colors while maintaining a natural and realistic look. Whether you’re shooting on a cloudy day or during golden hour, the Clean Edit Portrait Workflow presets will make your portraits look amazing!
3. Dark & Moody
Instagram is full of dark and moody images, many of which rely heavily on Lightroom edits. But recreating a refined moody look can be difficult, even for more experienced photographers, and that’s where the Dark & Moody pack – created by Flourish Presets – comes in handy.
The pack only comes with 7 presets, but each one packs a serious punch, creating that cinematic moody vibe that adds depth and emotion to your images. I like these presets for all kinds of images, including portraits, weddings, landscapes, or even street photography, but they’re especially stunning when applied to travel shots (to my eye, anyway!).
I’ll also note that Flourish Presets sells a handful of additional moody-style presets, so if this pack doesn’t fit your tastes, you can always try a different pack, such as this warmer, portrait-focused option, instead.
4. Golden Hour Presets
These Golden Hour Lightroom presets are perfect for portrait photographers who organize outdoor sessions. We all know that golden hour offers beautiful light for your photos. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to schedule your clients around that time.
KatherineDream offers 15 Lightroom presets for mobile and desktop that will give your photos those beautiful, warm, golden-hour tones. And on her Etsy shop, KatherineDream offers multiple other packs (and often puts her presets on sale!).
5. Zion Presets
I’m a fan of warm-toned edits, myself, which is why I absolutely love the Zion Presets pack by Meridian. Each preset effortlessly adds a touch of warmth and faded tones to your photos – and while the price is on the higher side, you do get 16 stunning presets that will instantly elevate the look of your portrait and wedding shots.
What sets the Zion Presets apart is their ability to create a sense of instant refinement. The warm colors and faded tones they produce give your images a cinematic quality, making them look like stills from a movie.
Whether you’re a professional photographer or an avid enthusiast, the Zion Presets will take your photos to new heights. With just a few clicks, you can transform your ordinary shots into breathtaking masterpieces that evoke a sense of nostalgia and charm!
6. All-In-One Lightroom Preset Bundle
In general, I like to recommend themed preset packs. All-in-one bundles tend to offer a lot of breadth without much depth, and that can result in a lot of wasted money. Fortunately, the All-In-One Lightroom Preset Bundle bucks the trend, and I think it’s perfect for beginner photographers. If you don’t have a field of specialization and you’re still figuring out your style, you’ll find 90 helpful presets to choose from.
The Bundle includes presets for everything: beach shooting, indoor photography, food photos, portrait photos, black and white photos, and moody photos. In other words, the All In One Bundle offers everything a beginner could need – and it even comes with a handy how-to guide!
7. Adventure Everyday Lightroom Desktop Presets
If you’re craving that warm, nostalgic feel in your photos, look no further than the Adventure Everyday presets by Mastin Labs. While this pack may seem small – it only includes three presets – trust me when I say that they pack a punch.
These presets are designed to give your portraits, landscapes, and travel shots a captivating, filmic look. They effortlessly transform your images into inviting and cozy scenes that you won’t be able to resist. Once you start using these presets, you’ll find yourself constantly reaching for them to enhance your everyday adventures.
8. Boho Style
If you’re a professional portrait photographer, then you know how important it is to have an automated workflow that delivers consistent results.
This Boho Style preset bundle offers 20 one-click presets; they’re easy to adjust, and they look amazing on a variety of portraits, from wedding candids to engagement sessions to family photos and more.
Each preset creates a creamy warm tone that improves the overall ambiance of your pictures. Plus, the price is outstanding (and the pack is often on sale, so if you buy at the right time, you can get the pack for just over a dollar).
9. Winter Wonderland Preset Collection
Most winter presets only add a cool tone to your images – but the Winter Wonderland Preset Collection offers a uniquely well-rounded solution for a winter look.
This bundle offers 32 presets and 5 brushes to create snowy and winter images, no matter the weather forecast. All the presets are customizable, and an instruction guide and video tutorial are included in the download.
10. The Crush Pack
Unlike other presets that are based on subject matter or mood, the Crush Pack is designed for light. Each preset is tailored to a specific lighting scenario so that you always know which to apply.
Whether for soft or hard light, backlight or flash, there’s a preset to improve your picture, delivering a “bold and vivid style that maintains the skin tone.” You can buy the Crush Pack on its own, or bundled with the Retouching Toolkit for a special discounted price.
11. The Free Lightroom Presets pack
If you’re looking for a nice free starter preset pack, this bundle from BeArt Presets is a great choice. It includes 5 presets that can be applied to all types of photographs, from food to portraits, and it’ll certainly help you get a sense of whether presets will fit nicely into your workflow.
The download includes two sets of presets: one set for mobile and one set for desktop. And once you determine which preset styles you’re after, there’s a shop with more specialized presets for sale.
12. Color Pop
If you’re looking for a pack of Lightroom presets to make your images stand out, the Color Pop presets are exactly what you need. You get 20 different presets designed to boost the color of any photograph and make your images look vibrant and fresh.
The files come in three different formats for maximum compatibility. And if you’re impressed and you want more, PhotographyPla.net also offers a bundle with all 1000 of their presets.
13. Portra 400 Preset Collection
Looking to add a touch of nostalgia and timeless beauty to your photos? The Portra 400 Preset Collection, created by Lou & Marks, is here to make your images shine. With 10 high-quality presets – designed to emulate the look of Portra 400 color film – your photos will exude warmth and a hint of summer in the 1980s.
These presets are perfect for enhancing portrait shots, giving them a touch of vintage elegance. But don’t limit yourself! Feel free to experiment and apply these presets to your travel images for a nostalgic effect. And if you like the Portra 400 pack, you should definitely check out other film-style presets by Lou & Marks, such as this fantastic collection of Fujifilm presets!
14. Nathan Elson’s Lightroom Presets
Nathan Elson is a professional photographer who specializes in portrait, fashion, commercial, and architecture photography; his very defined style inspired this preset collection. (As he notes on the sales page, “These are the same styles that I use to grade my photographs for both client as well as personal work.”)
While we previously recommended Elson’s 2020 preset pack, it’s been replaced by the 2022 collection, which is even better than before. It includes 12 presets – 5 for color edits and 7 for black and white – and the range is impressive. We’re also impressed by the modern look of the edits, and the monochromatic effects are absolutely beautiful. If you’re a portrait or fashion photographer in search of a refined yet modern look, this pack is a must-have.
15. Prolost Graduated Presets
Designed for complete beginners, the Prolost preset pack includes over 600 presets for you to choose from.
Each effect comes in different intensities; that way, you only need to hover over each preset to preview different results. If you like an effect, you click to apply. And because the pack already comes with plenty of variations, no customization is required.
16. Artisan B&W Lightroom Presets
If you’re passionate about black and white photography, you’ll be thrilled with the Artisan B&W Lightroom presets from Mastin Labs. These presets are a game-changer when it comes to creating stunning monochrome images that stand the test of time.
With just three carefully crafted presets, you’ll be able to transform your black-and-white photos into masterpieces. The presets work their magic on portraits, landscapes, and even street photos, giving each image a timeless and captivating appeal.
Whether you want to add depth and drama to your subjects or bring out the intricate details in your landscapes, the Artisan B&W presets have got you covered. They’re designed to enhance contrast, highlight textures, and bring out the essence of black-and-white photography.
How do you pick the right presets?
There isn’t one perfect preset that will fit every photograph. There are, however, presets that will be more fitting for your workflow. So given the many choices available on the market, how do you choose?
First of all, look at the quality of the work from the creator and what they’re offering. Any adjustment can technically be turned into a preset, so you’ll run into a lot of useless downloads. Some websites or blogs offer a freebie to get you on their mailing list or make you subscribe, but all you receive is a single preset that moves a slider slightly to one side.
So make sure you get your presets from a professional and check that they offer something more complex than what would be achievable by a beginner.
Another thing that you should consider is the type of photography you do. Make sure it matches the “before” image from the preset preview. This will ensure you get results similar to what you’re expecting. Otherwise, the effect might look great on the sample picture but won’t work on your own shots.
Finally, try to find presets that are customizable. This will allow you to create your own style instead of just replicating someone else’s. It will also make your presets more versatile, so you can use them on a wider variety of pictures.
Are presets worth it?
In my opinion, yes. Because they automate a part of your work, presets will save you a lot of time. Also, presets are a good way to keep your style consistent. This is very important for gaining followers, and it lets your clients know what they can expect from you far in advance.
Also, remember: If you want the benefits of presets but feel like none of the presets I’ve suggested fit your vision, you don’t have to use third-party presets. You can always make presets of your own!
The best Lightroom presets: final words
Now you know some of the best Lightroom presets available in 2024! These powerful tools can take your images from ordinary to extraordinary with just a few clicks, giving them that extra pop, mood, and timeless charm.
Whether you’re a portrait aficionado, a wedding wizard, or a landscape lover, there’s a preset pack for you. From the Clean Edit Portrait Workflow presets, which bring out colors while keeping things looking natural, to the Dark & Moody presets that add atmosphere and mood to any shot, these presets offer endless possibilities.
Make sure you get the presets that will fit your type of photography and style – and have fun!
Now over to you:
Have you tried presets in the past? Do you have a favorite preset or preset pack? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Best Lightroom presets FAQ
Is it worth buying presets for Lightroom?
Yes. Many professionals offer high-quality presets that are a great investment; they’ll help you achieve the look that you want in your photos.
Do professional photographers use presets?
Yes. Some professionals create their own presets to save time when editing. Others use presets from professional retouchers. Photography and photo editing are two separate skills and can be performed by two different professionals.
Can you use Lightroom presets for free?
Some of them are free, yes. Others cost money. Before downloading a preset, I recommend checking the preset terms and conditions.
Can I create my own presets?
Yes. A preset automates a set of image adjustments. Any Lightroom post-processing that you do can be saved as a preset and used in other photographs.
Can I use Lightroom presets on the mobile version?
Any preset that you have in Lightroom can be synced across devices. That way, you can download the best Lightroom presets and use them on your computer and your phone.
