Winter has its own aesthetic: soft light, deep shadows, and the kind of cozy contrast that makes every photo feel like a story. If your feed leans warm, rich, and film-inspired, this is the season to bring that mood forward.
Whether you’re photographing twinkling lights, chilly morning walks, or festive gatherings, the right moody preset can turn flat winter photos into art. These are our best Moody Winter Lightroom Presets and Moody Christmas Lightroom Presets designed to bring warmth, depth, and nostalgia to every holiday edit.
Why Moody Presets Work So Well in Winter
Winter light is challenging: short days, mixed indoor lighting, and muted tones. Bright, airy edits can wash out skin or erase detail, while moody editing adds balance by preserving texture and atmosphere.
Moody Holiday Lightroom Presets focus on:
- Deep contrast that adds drama without over-darkening.
- Warm undertones to balance cold outdoor light.
- Crushed highlights for that soft, low-glow look.
- Film-inspired depth that feels timeless and cozy.
When used together, these presets transform ordinary holiday shots into images that look intentionally styled, like stills from a classic Christmas film.
Our Favorite Moody Winter Presets
1. Moody Winter
Preset Style: Deep Contrast • Warm Browns • Crushed Highlights • Film-Inspired Depth
Perfect for overcast days or snowy portraits. It balances cool outdoor light with rich browns and muted whites, creating a soft, film-inspired finish. Use it for winter landscapes, cozy café shots, or moody cabin sessions.
Best for: outdoor portraits, wood interiors, foggy days, and lifestyle creators who love a polished yet natural film look.
Shop → The Moody Winter Lightroom Presets
2. Cran Merry
Preset Style: Rich Color • Moody Tones • Christmas Aesthetic
A holiday classic. Cran-Merry adds a hint of deep red warmth and gentle contrast that enhances everything from glowing tree lights to warm indoor shadows.
Best for: Christmas décor, family gatherings, candlelight sessions, and festive product photos.
Shop → The Moody Cran Merry Lightroom Presets
3. Christmas Mood
Preset Style: Moody Color • Warm Tone • Christmas Aesthetic
This preset captures the feeling of golden evenings by the tree, with rich, glowing light and natural skin tones. It’s soft yet bold enough to handle tricky mixed lighting between daylight and warm bulbs.
Best for: tree-light portraits, indoor sessions, holiday cards, and moody bokeh edits.
Shop → The Christmas Mood Winter Lightroom Presets
4. Vintage Plaid
Preset Style: Deep Reds • Cool Greens & Blues • Film Grain • 90s Holiday Aesthetic
Vintage Plaid channels that Ralph Lauren holiday editorial mood, with deep burgundy, forest green, and subtle film texture. It’s nostalgic without feeling dated.
Best for: cozy living-room sessions, retro holiday edits, winter weddings, and styled shoots.
Shop → The Moody Vintage Plaid Lightroom Presets
5. Hot Cocoa
Preset Style: Deep Rich Tones • Moody Color • Holiday Vibe
This one wraps every photo in warmth. Hot Cocoa adds richness to shadows and a gentle bronze tint, making skin tones glowy without turning orange.
Best for: lifestyle creators, coffee shop shoots, indoor cozy scenes, and aesthetic winter content.
Shop → The Hot Cocoa Winter Lightroom Presets
6. Mulled Wine
Preset Style: Rich Color • Rustic Tones • Holiday Aesthetic
Think wooden textures, warm fabrics, candlelight, and spice. Mulled Wine enhances those rustic red and amber tones for an authentic, handcrafted look.
Best for: detail shots, cozy markets, or moody travel photos in warm lighting.
Shop → The Mulled Wine Christmas Lightroom Presets
7. Holiday Magic
Preset Style: Deep Color • Moody Tones • Rich Holiday Vibe
Holiday Magic leans cinematic, with dark backgrounds, glowing lights, and a filmic softness that looks stunning on portraits. It keeps whites creamy and reds subtle for a balanced, high-end feel.
Best for: editorial photography, portraits by the tree, and luxury holiday campaigns.
Shop → The Holiday Magic Winter Lightroom Presets
8. Rustic Winter
Preset Style: Rich Warm Color • Rustic Tones • Winter Aesthetic
Rustic Winter is designed for outdoor light and indoor warmth. It deepens neutrals while maintaining true whites, giving snowy scenes an earthy warmth.
Best for: cabins, outdoor sessions, lifestyle photos, and winter travel content.
Shop → The Rustic Winter Lightroom Presets
9. Caramel Apple
Preset Style: Deep Colors • Rich Caramel Tones • Holiday Aesthetic
Sweet and golden, this preset adds warmth to shadows and a golden-caramel finish to highlights. It’s perfect for that cozy, nostalgic tone that defines the season.
Best for: baking photos, family lifestyle sessions, and anyone who loves a soft but moody glow.
Shop → The Caramel Apple Christmas Lightroom Presets
The Heritage Christmas Bundle
If you want the full range of moody, vintage, and film-inspired tones, the Heritage Christmas Bundle includes eight preset collections that work together beautifully:
- Vintage Gold – Classic warm holiday glow with subtle golden whites.
- Vintage Plaid – Deep reds and cool greens with film texture.
- Winter Honey – Soft, creamy tones with balanced skin hues.
- Frosted Glow – Dreamy, luminous highlights with winter brightness.
- Moody Winter – Deep, film-inspired edits with rich shadows.
- Wintergreen Dreams – Subtle minty greens and soft whites.
- Golden Holiday – Warm, polished tones perfect for lifestyle photos.
- Cozy Season – Soft, inviting edits that feel intimate and timeless.
Each collection complements the others, giving you flexibility for every light scenario, from moody indoor portraits to snowy outdoor scenes.
Shop → The Moody Christmas Lightroom Preset Bundle
How to Use Moody Winter Presets Effectively
- Start with balanced exposure. Moody presets rely on deep shadows; slightly overexposed photos reduce impact.
- Adjust white balance manually. Add a little warmth (Temp +3–5) if outdoor light feels too blue.
- Fine-tune contrast. Small contrast or clarity tweaks help maintain texture without harshness.
- Play with grain. A bit of grain enhances the film feel, especially for cozy indoor photos.
- Use masks for precision. Brighten faces slightly or reduce highlights around lights for perfect balance.
These subtle adjustments keep your moody edits clean and professional, whether you’re posting to Instagram or delivering gallery photos to clients.
Editing Ideas for Holiday Photos
- By the Christmas tree: use Cran Merry or Christmas Mood for warm glow and flattering skin.
- Snowy outdoors: try Moody Winter or Rustic Winter for deep tones and crisp whites.
- Cozy home scenes: Hot Cocoa or Mulled Wine enhance golden light and cozy textures.
- Luxury holiday branding: Vintage Plaid or Holiday Magic create that rich, editorial mood.
Where to Buy The Moody Winter Lightroom Presets
All of these presets—and dozens more—are available individually or inside the Lou & Marks All Access Pass. Each includes Lightroom Mobile + Desktop files and a step-by-step PDF guide so you can start editing right away.
Moody Winter Lightroom Presets FAQs
1. What makes a “Moody Winter” preset different from other winter presets?
Moody Winter presets emphasize depth, warmth, and contrast. They create film-like texture and rich color instead of bright, airy whites, making them perfect for storytelling.
2. Will these presets work on Lightroom Mobile?
Yes! Every Lou & Marks preset comes with Mobile and Desktop versions (.DNG + .XMP files) for one-click editing on any device.
3. Do Moody presets make photos too dark?
No. Each preset is balanced for depth without losing detail. You can always adjust exposure or shadows to taste.
4. Which preset is best for Christmas tree photos?
Try Cran Merry or Christmas Mood. Both keep warm light true and prevent skin tones from turning orange.
5. Can I mix presets from different collections?
Absolutely. Many creators combine Moody Winter for outdoor shots and Hot Cocoa or Vintage Plaid for indoor scenes to maintain a consistent but varied holiday look.
6. What’s included in the Heritage Christmas Bundle?
Eight collections: Vintage Gold, Vintage Plaid, Winter Honey, Frosted Glow, Moody Winter, Wintergreen Dreams, Golden Holiday, and Cozy Season. It covers every holiday tone, from deep film-inspired edits to soft winter brightness.
The Takeaway
Moody winter editing isn’t about darkness—it’s about emotion. These presets celebrate warmth, nostalgia, and color in a season full of light and memory. Whether you’re creating content for clients or capturing cozy family moments, these Moody Holiday Lightroom Presets turn simple photos into timeless holiday stories. Browse all Lightroom Preset Collections by Lou & Marks.
