Lightroom presets are the ultimate hack for fast, stunning photo edits. Whether you're using Jaide & Jett Presets or any other pack, this guide will help you get the most out of them—without the guesswork. Plus, I’ll link you to the best guides so you can dive even deeper into advanced techniques.
Ready to level up your edits? Let’s go!
How to Use Lightroom Presets
Step 1: Nail It In-Camera
A great edit starts with a well-exposed photo. Before you even open Lightroom, make sure to:
✔ Dial in exposure so you don’t lose details in bright areas.
✔ Set white balance manually or on auto for a solid starting point.
✔ Shoot in RAW for max editing flexibility.
Exposure: Adjust for highlights to preserve details in bright areas like the sky and whites without overexposing.
White Balance: Set your camera’s white balance to auto or adjust manually to create a neutral base.
Want the full rundown on Lightroom settings? Check out How All the Lightroom Settings Work: A Complete Guide for Photographers.
Presets That Adapt to Any Lighting
Our presets are designed to enhance your photo’s natural white balance without altering it. Since they default to "As Shot", they preserve the original color tones captured in-camera. This means if your RAW image is too warm or too cool, you can adjust the white balance manually without affecting the preset’s overall look.
This flexibility makes our presets perfect for any lighting condition—whether you're shooting outdoors in natural light, in a controlled studio, or at an event with mixed lighting. No matter the setting, you’ll get consistent, true-to-life editswhile keeping full control over your final look.
Step 2: Choosing the Right Preset for Your Photo
Now that your white balance is set, it’s time to choose a preset that complements your image. Hover over your presets to preview how they affect the photo. Look for one that enhances the mood, lighting, and overall style without making the image look unnatural.
If a preset looks too dark or too bright, don’t worry—you can always tweak the exposure and contrast to fine-tune the look.
Our presets are designed to be a starting point, giving you creative flexibility while maintaining a polished, professional feel.
Not sure which preset pack fits your needs? Check out What Lightroom Preset Pack is Right for You? to find the best match for your editing style.
Step 3: Fine-Tuning for the Perfect Edit
Applying a preset is just the first step—small tweaks can make a huge difference in bringing your vision to life. Adjusting settings like exposure, contrast, highlights, and shadows can help balance the look while keeping colors natural.
Exposure –
If the image looks too bright or too dark, adjust this first.
Contrast –
Boost or soften contrast to refine depth and dimension.
Highlights & Shadows –
Recover details in bright or dark areas for better balance.
Whites & Blacks –
Adjust to create a stronger dynamic range without losing detail.
Not sure what each setting does?
breaks down every tool so you can fine-tune with confidence. Whether you're adjusting skin tones, fixing harsh lighting, or adding depth, knowing how to use Lightroom’s controls will give you even more creative freedom.
Our presets are built to be versatile in any lighting, but mastering these settings will help you take your edits to the next level.
A little fine-tuning goes a long way toward achieving a polished, professional result.
Step 4: Unlock Pro-Level Edits with the Tone Curve
Want more control over contrast, depth, and color?
The Tone Curve is one of the most powerful tools in Lightroom, helping you fine-tune brightness and shadows with precision. Whether you want to add a cinematic feel, boost vibrancy, or refine details, mastering this tool will instantly level up your edits.
Not sure where to start? How to Use Tone Curve in Lightroom breaks it all down, from simple adjustments to pro-level color grading techniques.
Our presets already create a beautiful foundation, but learning how to tweak the Tone Curve will help you perfect every edit—whether you're going for soft and airy, bold and moody, or something uniquely your own.
Step 5: Dial In the Perfect Colors with Point Color
Ever applied a preset and thought,
“This looks amazing, but I wish I could tweak just one color”?
That’s exactly what Point Color lets you do!
Want to warm up skin tones?
Tone down overpowering greens?
Make blues pop without ruining the rest of your edit?
Point Color gives you that power.
Point Color in Lightroom
Not using this yet?
You’re missing out!
The best way to learn is by watching it in action—check out
How to Use Point Color in Lightroom for a step-by-step video tutorial.
Our presets create a stunning base, but Point Color lets you make them uniquely yours. Watch the tutorial and start fine-tuning your colors like a pro!
Step 6: Bringing It All Together with a Complete Workflow
By now, you’ve learned how to fine-tune white balance, choose the right preset, adjust settings, and refine colors—but how do you streamline your entire editing process for faster, more consistent results? That’s where having a solid Lightroom workflow comes in.
A great workflow saves time, keeps edits looking cohesive, and ensures you're making the most of Lightroom’s powerful tools. Whether you're editing a single photo or batch-editing an entire shoot, having a structured approach will make your life easier.
Want to see a professional workflow in action?
Check out The Ultimate Editing Workflow for Photographers for a step-by-step breakdown on how to edit efficiently while maintaining high-quality results.
Mastering your workflow means spending less time editing and more time creating—and who doesn’t want that?
Step 7: Sync Your Presets Across All Devices
Editing on the go? Make sure your presets are available everywhere by syncing them across Lightroom Classic, CC, and Mobile. This way, you can seamlessly switch between your computer and phone without losing your favorite looks.
If you haven’t set this up yet, don’t worry—it’s super easy!
How to Sync Lightroom Presets to Mobile walks you through the process step by step, so you can edit with your presets no matter where you are.
With synced presets, you’ll always have a consistent editing style at your fingertips, whether you're making quick tweaks on your phone or fine-tuning details on your desktop.
Find Your Perfect Preset & Join the Community
Now that you’ve mastered the art of using Lightroom presets, it’s time to find the perfect pack for your unique style! Whether you want bold and moody tones, soft and dreamy edits, or something in between, there’s a preset pack made for you.
✨ Not sure which one to choose?
Want even more editing tips and exclusive resources?
📖 Explore my free Lightroom guides for expert advice on everything from color grading to workflow efficiency.
👥 Join my Facebook group for photographers to connect with other creatives, share your edits, and get insider tips!
The right presets and a supportive community can take your edits to the next level—let’s create something amazing together! 🚀
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