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presets

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I’ve been wanting to create presets for awhile now, so when my friend and incredibly talented professional photographer [who also happened to teach me everything I know about editing] Jen, of Griffith Imaging, asked if I wanted to partner to create a set for my audience, it was an easy “YES.” We wanted these presets to allow you easily create beautiful images of your own. As a blogger and content creator, I shoot with a combination of DSLR camera and my phone, and I edit on both my computer and my phone too. So whether you’re just snapping pics of your family on your phone, or you are a professional looking to take your photos to the next level, these presets will work for you! The thing I love most about them is that they are all unique, but they also are friendly with one another. Meaning, you can use them all for different lighting situations, as I do, and still maintain a consistent look on your feed or across your branded content.
 
Editing Tip:
All of the presets are meant to be a good base starting point. Sometimes you can have “one click editing” and be done right there! But for most photos, the first place you are going to want to adjust is the Exposure. Find that on the Lightroom App under the “Light” button, or on your desktop program, on the first toggle on Develop Mode under “Basic.”

*desktop version includes a mobile download

fairyduster

Fairyduster gives photos a soft, slightly pink dusting that makes every pic a bit more magical. Perfect in low lighting situations, both indoors or out.
 
Editing Tip:
This preset is overall low saturation. If you feel your photos are a bit washed out, pull up the overall Saturation in the Color section. You can also play with each color’s Saturation by clicking the “Mix” button and playing with each color individually. Always check/play with the exposure too!
 
Click images below to see before & afters
 

golden sunstone

This is my absolute favorite for editing photos taken in golden hour (aka sunset or sunrise). Photos in this light can sometimes make the subject dark and not capture the overall glowing warm light you see in person. This preset perfectly balances all of that out! If you want to use this preset for other lighting situations, it can still work. However, you may want to use the steps below to keep them from looking too orange-y.
 
Editing Tips:
In the Color -> Color Mix, adjust the Orange Luminance and Saturation. You can also play with the Yellow settings to get the look you want. In Light -> Shadows pull them back down.
 
Click images below to see before & afters
 

moonstone

This preset was named for its pearlescent tones and brightening effects. I love this one for outdoors shots with bright lighting, but is also beautiful during golden hour.
 
Editing Tip:
If you feel your photos are getting a bit too bright with this preset, first check the exposure and adjust there. Also in the Light button, you can pull down the whites and/or shadows to get some contrast back. This preset can sometimes again wash out skin tones. To bring them back, go to Color -> Mix -> and bring down the Orange Luminance.
 
Click images below to see before & afters
 

saguaro rose

This is one of my all time faves that I have been using for the past year or so. It’s perfect when you want crisp + clean interiors and portraits. Works best with natural light, but can also work in low lighting situations. It’s honestly such a good starting point for almost any photo!
 
Editing Tips:
If you want to change the overall tone of the image, go to -> Effects -> Split Toning and play with the highlights. The preset has a slight green/blue tone that keeps the look neutral + clean, but when I want a warmer tone, I will pull that little circle over to the warmer pinks or oranges.
If skin tones look off in this one, go to Color -> Mix -> and play with the Orange Luminance and Saturation. I usually will pull the Luminance down a bit to create a warmer skin tone, without neccesarily having to change the Split Toning.
 
Click images below to see before & afters
 

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