How to Use Presets in Lightroom: A Personal Guide for Photographers

When I first got my hands on Lightroom, presets felt like cheating—but in the best possible way. One click, and suddenly an image would jump off the screen with mood, depth, and direction. It wasn’t just faster—it was smarter. Years later, I still rely on presets as part of my editing toolkit, only now they’re more refined, custom-built, and even more intelligent thanks to Lightroom’s 2025 updates. Whether I’m on my desktop in the studio or out in the field editing on my iPad Pro, presets save time without sacrificing creative intent. I complete my first round of edits on my iPad and allow the Adobe Cloud ecosystem to sync the edits across all devices. Then I continue editing my completed image on the desktop.

"Here’s my up-to-date take on how to use presets in Lightroom—across both Lightroom Classic and the modern cloud-based Lightroom app."

Adobe Lightroom is a powerful photo editing software available in two main versions: Lightroom Classic CC (formerly Classic), which is designed for professional and advanced desktop workflows, and the cloud-based Lightroom CC, which emphasizes accessibility and syncing across devices. Adobe Creative Cloud enables seamless syncing of presets and editing features between desktop and mobile Lightroom apps, allowing you to maintain a consistent workflow and access powerful tools from anywhere.

Introduction to Presets

Lightroom presets are the secret weapon in any photographer’s toolkit. At their core, presets are saved sets of adjustments that you can instantly apply to your photos, giving them a consistent look and feel with just one click. Whether you’re looking to speed up your workflow, experiment with new styles, or save your favourite edits for future use, Lightroom presets make it easy to create and maintain a signature aesthetic.

Installing and using presets in Lightroom is straightforward, and once you get the hang of it, you’ll wonder how you ever edited without them. From subtle tweaks to dramatic transformations, presets allow you to apply complex editing adjustments across all your photos, ensuring your work stands out. Whether you’re editing a single image or an entire shoot, learning how to create, install, and save presets will elevate your editing process and help you achieve professional results every time.

Getting Started with Lightroom Presets

Presets are saved combinations of edit settings—essentially a shortcut to a particular “look.” Think of them as recipe cards. Apply one to an image, and you instantly get a cohesive aesthetic that you can still tweak as needed. Whether you’re editing RAW files in Lightroom Classic on a desktop or tapping through edits on Lightroom Mobile, presets are a powerful way to stay consistent, especially when you’re dealing with hundreds (or, in my case, thousands) of photos.

In 2025, Lightroom does a better job of syncing presets between desktop and mobile. Adobe’s AI even suggests presets in the cloud version based on subject matter, though I still prefer using my own presets. I sometimes explore Adobe user presets that their AI suggests; however, I primarily use presets that I’ve built myself, slowly tailoring them to different locations and lighting moods I encounter on the road.

"Creating a new preset allows me to quickly add a personalized look to my editing library, providing easy access."

There are two types of presets: those you make yourself and those you import from others. I trust my own presets more. They reflect my approach, my taste, and how I want my work to feel. However, I’ve also found some great downloadable options, especially when I download a preset pack from photographers I respect—those who value restraint and nuance over one-size-fits-all drama.

Types of Presets in Lightroom

Presets aren’t one-size-fits-all. Different subjects, moods, and lighting situations call for different approaches. Here are the types I find most useful:

• Portrait Presets: These smooth skin tones and dial in subtle contrast. They’re perfect when you need that clean, editorial look without over-processing.

• Landscape Presets: Often punchy, these stretch dynamic range, pull out sky detail, and push colour harmony—great when you want your natural scenes to sing.

• Street / Urban Photography Presets: This is where I live. I lean on presets that boost contrast, tweak shadows, and add a gentle filmic grain—perfect for storytelling in grit and light.

• Monochrome Presets: Most of my work lives in black and white, so these presets aren’t just useful—they’re foundational. They help dial in contrast, shadow detail, and tonal balance to bring out the soul of a scene, not just its surface.

The important part? Don’t box yourself in. I’ve used a moody street preset on a misty forest scene, and it worked beautifully. Let the result guide you, not the label.

For better management and accessibility, consider organizing your different types of presets into a presets group, or create a new group when importing or making new presets.

Installing and Accessing Presets in Lightroom Classic

Installing presets in Lightroom Classic (still my primary editing home) is quick. In the Develop Module, open the Presets panel on the left, click the “+” icon, and choose “Import Presets.” You can import a zip file or XMP files when adding presets. Select import presets from the menu, then navigate to the folder where your downloaded ZIP or XMP file is located, and Lightroom will handle the rest. On a Mac, the presets folder can be found in the ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CameraRaw/Settings directory. On Windows, navigate to C:\Users[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\CameraRaw\Settings. You can also access the presets tab by going to Window > Panels > Presets.

On the cloud-based Lightroom desktop (what Adobe now calls “Lightroom”), it’s even easier—drag and drop into the presets area or import directly through the UI. Both versions now sync automatically via Creative Cloud, marking a significant leap forward from the days of disconnection.

For Lightroom Mobile workflows, you can import a DNG file, multiple DNG files, or a DNG preset by adding the DNG image to your library, then creating a preset from it within the app.

Once imported, your presets are tucked neatly into the panel and ready to apply. I often scroll through them quickly on thumbnail previews before clicking in—Adobe now shows live previews as you hover, which is a huge time-saver.

Organizing and Managing Presets

Over time, presets can pile up, especially if you’re importing third-party packs. Trust me, the “messy preset drawer” is a real thing. To keep things organized, I’ve created folders by subject, including “Desert,” “Café Interiors,” “Night Streets,” and so on.

Lightroom now allows you to favourite presets and even hide ones you don’t use. It’s a quiet update, but it makes navigating the panel far smoother. I also name my presets descriptively—no “Preset 001” nonsense. If it’s designed for golden-hour skylines in Havana, that’s what I call it.

For backup, I store both my XMPs and DNG mobile versions on external SSDs and sync them to cloud storage. I’ve learned the hard way that losing a well-crafted preset is more painful than re-editing a photo.

Creating and Saving Custom Presets

This is where Lightroom gets personal. After I finish an edit I love—say, a moody industrial façade or golden light on a backcountry barn—I’ll save it as a preset. Click the “+” in the presets panel, choose “Create Preset,” give it a name, select which settings to include, and you’re done. Newly added presets will appear instantly in your library, ready to be applied to your images immediately.

What I appreciate in 2025 is how Lightroom lets you choose granularly what gets saved: just tone curves? Just colour grading? The control is now tight, which helps avoid “dirty” presets that overwrite things you didn’t intend to.

Applying Presets to Photos

Applying presets is as simple as clicking one—but that’s not the end. Every photo needs finesse. Presets provide a solid foundation for editing photos efficiently, especially when working with extensive collections, but they do not produce a final product. I constantly tweak exposure, white balance, or texture depending on the shot.

For batches of similar images—such as a series of photos taken under the same lighting conditions—I’ll apply a preset to all the pictures of the set to maintain a consistent look, and then sync the adjustments across the set. In Lightroom Classic, “Sync Settings” does the job. In Cloud Lightroom, the Copy/Paste tool is quicker than ever, and yes, it now supports masks as well.

On the mobile side, applying a preset is as simple as a tap. I often rough-edit on my phone while on the road, then refine the final files when I return to my studio.

Tips for Working with Presets

Maximizing the benefits of Lightroom presets is all about striking a balance and personalizing them to suit your needs. Here are a few tips I’ve picked up over the years:

• Start with the Right Preset: Not every preset is suitable for every photo. Consider the lighting conditions and subject before applying a preset. For example, a preset designed for golden hour might not work on a cloudy day. Use the live preview in the presets panel to audition different looks quickly.
• Tweak After Applying: Presets are a starting point, not a finish line. After applying your desired preset, fine-tune exposure, white balance, and other adjustments to suit each image. This ensures your edits feel intentional and tailored, not cookie-cutter.
• Organize Your User Presets: As your collection grows, keep your presets organized in folders or groups within the Lightroom app or Lightroom Classic. Name them descriptively so you can quickly find the right look for any situation.
• Experiment and Learn: Don’t be afraid to dissect other Lightroom presets. See which settings are being adjusted and how they affect your images. This is an excellent way to learn new editing techniques and develop your unique style.
• Sync Across Devices: Take advantage of Lightroom’s ability to sync your user's automatic presets between the desktop app and the Lightroom mobile app. This way, your favourite looks are always at your fingertips, whether you’re editing on your computer or a mobile device.
• Back Up Your Presets: Save your preset files (XMP or DNG) in a secure location, such as an external drive or cloud storage. This protects your work and makes it easy to reinstall your presets if you ever need to restart Lightroom or switch to a different device.

By following these tips, you’ll make the most of presets in Lightroom, ensuring your edits are both efficient and uniquely yours.

Sharing and Importing Presets

Sharing presets is easy and collaborative. I sometimes export ZIPs for workshop clients or photographers who want to see how I’ve processed a specific scene. And when someone shares a preset with me, I always test it out—not just to use it, but to learn something new from their settings.

Importing is identical to installing—drag it into the Presets panel, and Lightroom takes care of the rest. The imported preset will appear in the preset panel, making it easy to access and manage alongside your other presets. Whether it’s a preset from a respected peer or a new one I’m testing out, each addition expands my editing vocabulary.

Advanced Editing with Presets

Presets aren’t a crutch—they’re a launchpad. In Lightroom Classic, I often use a preset to get started, then use local adjustment tools, such as masks, gradients, or the brush, to fine-tune specific parts of the image. For even more advanced edits or detailed retouching, I’ll bring the photo into Photoshop, where I can remove distractions, make complex adjustments, and achieve a higher level of control and refinement.

For example, I might use a warm street preset, then mask the subject’s face to bring back detail, or selectively desaturate distracting background elements. Lightroom 2025’s AI masking now auto-detects people, skies, and objects more reliably than ever, which makes this hybrid approach seamless.

And yes, this functionality is now available on mobile as well—masks can be edited directly on your phone, and the process is surprisingly fluid. That means I can make nuanced edits sitting in a van parked by a fjord or in a late-night diner off Route 66.

User Presets on the Go with Lightroom Mobile.

Here’s the magic of 2025: every preset I’ve created on desktop is now instantly available on my phone and iPad. Lightroom Mobile also supports importing and using presets on Android devices, making it accessible for users on different platforms. No syncing headaches. No emailing files to myself. Just instant access through the Adobe cloud.

This kind of seamless mobility matters. When I’m travelling light—camera in one hand, iPad Pro in the other—I can start editing right there and then. And once I’m back at my desk, the edited photos are waiting, already synced and ready for finishing touches.

Exporting and Sharing Photos

Once you’ve perfected your images with Lightroom presets, it’s time to share your work with the world. Exporting photos from the desktop is simple, whether you’re using the Lightroom desktop application, Lightroom Classic, or the Lightroom CC mobile app.

In Lightroom Classic, export the File menu and select Export. Here, you can choose your preferred file format (such as JPEG, TIFF, or DNG), specify the image size, and adjust the quality settings. You can even create export presets for your most frequently used settings, making future exports a breeze.

Want to dive deeper into Lightroom techniques and editing tips? Explore more Lightroom insights here.

On the Lightroom desktop app and Lightroom CC, the export process is just as straightforward. Click the Share or Export button, select your desired export settings, and your edited images will be ready to go. If you’re working on a mobile device, the Lightroom mobile app allows you to save images directly to your camera roll or share them on social media with just a few taps.

Lightroom’s syncing features also make it easy to access your edited photos across all your devices. Edits made on your desktop will automatically sync to your mobile device, and vice versa, allowing you to export or share from anywhere. Whether you’re sending files to clients, posting to Instagram, or backing up your work, Lightroom’s export and sharing tools keep your workflow smooth and efficient.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Presets

Now and then, a preset won’t show up or will look “off.” If it doesn’t appear, double-check that you’ve imported it into the correct version of Lightroom (Classic vs. Cloud). Still missing? Try restarting the app.

If a preset looks extreme—overexposed, washed out, too contrasty—it’s probably not meant for your lighting conditions. Please don’t delete it right away. Just dial it back, tweak a few sliders, and see what you can recover. Sometimes a heavy-handed preset leads to a surprising discovery.

Presets are more than a shortcut—they’re part of how I work, think, and create. If you’re starting, don’t feel like you’re “cheating” by using them. As I mentioned, I import all my images directly onto the iPad Pro and start culling and editing.  With presets, I can get dozens of pictures to a "concept" state.  I then give it a 3-star rating.  Everything is syncing across the Adobe ecosystem.  Then, back in the studio, I will create final edits on the desktop.

Don’t get stuck in the same few looks—create your own presets, break the rules, experiment, and treat every image like it deserves a fresh take.

Learning how to use presets in Lightroom—truly use them—isn’t about automation. It’s about unlocking a workflow that lets you get to the good stuff faster: the vision, the mood, the story in the frame.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even seasoned editors can stumble when working with presets in Lightroom. Here are some common pitfalls—and how to sidestep them:

• Over-Applying Presets: It’s tempting to stick with a dramatic look, but excessive contrast or saturation can make your photos appear unnatural. Constantly adjust the settings after applying a preset to suit the specific image and lighting conditions.
• Ignoring Lighting Conditions: Presets aren’t magic—they’re designed for specific scenarios. Applying a preset designed for bright daylight to a low-light image can result in odd colours or blown-out highlights. Always consider the original photo before choosing a preset.
• Not Organizing Presets: Letting your presets folder become cluttered makes it hard to find the right look when you need it. Regularly organize, rename, and group your presets in the presets panel to keep your workflow efficient.
• Forgetting to Back Up Presets: Losing your carefully crafted or purchased preset files can be a significant setback. Always back up your XMP, DNG, or ZIP files to an external drive or cloud storage, especially before restarting Lightroom or updating your photo editing software.
• Installing in the Wrong Version: Ensure you import presets into the correct version of Lightroom—Classic, desktop, or mobile. Some preset files (like XMP or DNG) are specific to certain versions, and installing them in the wrong place can cause confusion or missing presets.

By staying mindful of these common mistakes, you’ll keep your editing process smooth and your images looking their best.

Conclusion

Lightroom presets are more than just a shortcut—they’re a creative springboard that can transform your editing workflow. Whether you’re just starting or you’ve been editing for years, learning how to use, create, and manage presets in Lightroom will help you develop a unique style, save time, and bring consistency to all your photos.

Curious about how I approach editing, composition, and real photography in the digital age? Browse all my photography articles here.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with new looks, tweak existing presets, or build your own from scratch. The more you explore, the more you’ll discover about your creative process. With the right approach, presets in Lightroom become a powerful ally, helping you focus less on repetitive adjustments and more on telling the story behind every image.