9 of the Best Lightroom Presets for Photographers

Lightroom presets can give photos a professional look. With the right one, they can instantly enhance your images and bring out the best in your photography. Without spending hours tweaking each photo during editing, the following Lightroom presets can provide the best look in minutes.

Do Professional Photographers Use Lightroom Presets?

Lightroom presets are a tool that many professional photographers use as part of their workflow. Presets help them achieve a desired look without going through an entire editing process. It’s similar to applying an image filter on Instagram or Snapchat — except presets are there to do one job — make your photos look beautiful.

While some think presets diminish a photographer’s original work, the truth is that many professionals can easily customize them to fit their style. It’s a great way to set the tone you’re going for and save valuable time in the long run. Plus, when it comes time to publish your work, the final images will look consistent and ensure they align seamlessly with the aesthetic.

With photography services expected to reach $5.8 million this year, more people are acquiring it. This means it may be time to step up your photography game using presets to batch edit and enhance your workflow. Doing so will also give you more time to hone in on your photography itself and perfect your craft.

Best Lightroom Presets to Use for Your Photography Business

The best Lightroom Presets will be the ones that promote your visuals without compromising authenticity. The following list can do just that.

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1. Sunday

The Sunday Lightroom preset is perfect for any photographer looking to capture a light and airy vibe. With its soft tones and slight highlights, the preset could work for outdoor or indoor shots. It offers a gentle, dreamy aesthetic ideal for lifestyle shoots or baby shower events. 

With this preset, you can use it to portray a candid feel while still maintaining a polished look. It could be good for portraits or even weddings, allowing the emotions to shine through. Wherever you’re shooting, the Sunday preset can provide a dainty touch that clients will love.

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2. Analog Film

Inspired by the charm of film photography, the Analog Lightroom preset gives your photos a vintage, cinematic feel from the golden age of analog cameras. Its warm tones, softened shadows, and light grain can add a vintage feel to your photos, making them look like you could have taken them decades ago. 

They would work exceptionally well for images where texture and depth are the stars of the show. This preset can reveal the character in old buildings, classic cars and intimate portraits. As such, you could incorporate it into your work if you’re a photographer who likes to travel and take pictures of urban landscapes and people.

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3. Pro Moody

This Lightroom preset is a go-to choice for photographers wanting to create dramatic, emotionally-charged images. Pro Moody offers deep shadows and contrast with a rich, earthy tone, so it can turn any ordinary shot into a cinematic masterpiece. It’s perfect for adding intensity to your photos and making images where the mood of the moment is central.

Pro Moody is especially popular for engagements and weddings. It can capture a romantic feel when the setting is ripe with emotion. It will also enhance the storyline of your photos and draw the eye to every detail captured within a set. 

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4. Natural

The Natural Lightroom preset can truly take an image from dull to beautiful. This preset is all about bringing out the best in natural light, softening tones and creating a true-to-life look that feels effortless yet refined. Therefore, it would work well for brands that need to do simple lifestyle or portrait shoots.

The Natural preset is an excellent choice because it allows the tones and textures to shine. If you’re looking for a clean, fresh look, it will surely present a polished finish while staying true to the scene.

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5. FujiFilm

This preset provides a classic look of FujiFilm’s iconic film stock. With rich, warm colors, it brings out a natural feel with a dreamy twist. It’s perfect for outdoor scenes, where photographers can capture the golden hues at sunset. It could even work wonders for those wanting to photograph the crispness of fall or the delicateness of a person. 

This preset can give you what you’re looking for if you need your photos to look colorful and vibrant but have a film-like finish. They’re perfect for professional or personal projects, and make photos stand out online.

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6. Business Branding

The Business Branding package is one of the best Lightroom presets for the modern entrepreneur. It can provide a professional look for personal brands, headshots and corporate lifestyle photography. 

With this preset, you can enhance your images with the look of clean, neutral tones. It creates a breath of fresh air because of the clarity it brings to photos. Therefore, it’s perfect for showcasing professionalism while maintaining approachability. 

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7. Retro Grain

Would you love your images to have a vintage vibe? The Retro Grain preset can offer this. It adds a beautiful grainy texture and muted tones, exactly like old film photography. You can capture an authentic 70’s feel if that’s the mood you want to create, making it perfect for editorials or retro-like branding.

Make sure you use this preset if you want to add warmth and character to your images. This preset could work for indoor or outdoor settings and create a more intimate, cozy feel. So whether you’re capturing quiet moments at home, romantic settings or candid headshots, Retro Grain works for various scenes. 

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8. Coconut

Capture laid-back, sun-kissed moments with this clean and bright preset. Coconut is the key to bringing out soft whites, warm tones and light contrasts. It can make your photography feel airy and inviting, providing a fresh aesthetic. From lifestyle to travel and fashion, your images will present a carefree vibe.

You can use Coconut when you want to evoke relaxation or tranquility, so it’s perfect for beach scenes, morning routines and relaxed moments. The preset adds a slight warmth to skin tones but softens the overall feel of a picture, effortlessly fitting into chic branding. 

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9. Polaroid Instant Camera

Another preset you might consider is one that creates photos that look like they were taken with a Polaroid camera. You know the cameras that print images as soon as you take a photograph. These instant films have always had a saturated look with deep shadows and slight fading. 

If you’re looking for a retro touch to your work, Polaroid Instant Camera can achieve this. This preset brings out the character and mood in dimly lit scenes. Brands with a spontaneous, rebellious aesthetic could use it perfectly. 

It’s effective for capturing genuine moments and providing a gritty, playful look. Polaroid Instant Camera would work for fashion brands promoting a new line of clothing for Gen Z audiences. It can make the photos feel as though they were preserved on film and catch the eye of those who love vintage looks.

Investing in the Best Lightroom Presets

The best Lightroom presets can add the perfect creative touch to your photos. Yet, they can also streamline your workflow and help you achieve the consistent look you want for your photoshoots. Once you choose a preset that aligns with your style, clients will love your work and want to keep coming back for more.