The Truth About Presets in Professional Photography

Many photographers still think presets are a shortcut, but the truth is, professionals rely on presets every single day. From high-volume wedding editors to lifestyle photographers curating a cohesive Instagram feed, presets have become the backbone of modern editing. They’re not a cheat; they’re a tool that helps photographers stay consistent, efficient, and creative across hundreds of images.

A well-crafted preset doesn’t erase a photographer’s eye; it amplifies it. With one click, the foundational color palette, tone curve, and style are set, allowing photographers to focus on the story, emotion, and composition that make their work distinct.

Why Pros Use Presets

1. Speed & Workflow Efficiency
Time is every photographer’s most valuable asset. Presets make it possible to edit entire galleries in minutes instead of hours. Whether it’s a full wedding weekend or an ongoing brand shoot, professionals apply presets as a baseline for consistency before fine-tuning each image.

2. Consistency Across Client Galleries
Cohesion is everything, especially for photographers delivering large client collections. Presets keep skin tones, lighting, and mood consistent from start to finish. That consistency builds client trust and strengthens the photographer’s brand identity.

3. Creating Signature Looks
Every photographer has a visual fingerprint. Presets help define it. Think of them as the stylistic framework—the blend of warmth, contrast, and color that communicates who you are as an artist. Over time, your preset choices evolve into your recognizable style.

Presets Are a Starting Point, Not the Finish Line

(Before, one-click preset, and final adjusted edit using Lou & Marks Warm Film Preset)

Presets aren’t meant to replace creativity; they’re the launch pad for it. Professionals often apply a preset, then make subtle adjustments to bring the image to life.

A wedding photographer might start with a the Warm Film preset to capture the golden tones of an outdoor ceremony, then lower the highlights and open the shadows for balanced light. A lifestyle creator might apply a True Color preset and fine-tune the white balance to match the natural glow of sunset.

The difference between an amateur and a professional isn’t whether they use presets—it’s how they use them.

Building a Signature Style with Presets

A cohesive visual style is what turns your work into your brand. For many professionals, that starts with finding a preset pack that matches their vision—soft, moody, cinematic, or natural-light inspired—and customizing it over time.

For example, Lou & Marks Portrait Presets and All Access Bundle were designed to help photographers create consistency without sacrificing authenticity. Every collection includes balanced tones, natural skin calibration, and adaptive settings that work across Lightroom Mobile, Desktop, and Photoshop ACR.

The goal: one-click simplicity that still feels personal.

How to Choose Quality Presets

Not all presets are created equal. When investing in professional tools, look for packs that are:

• Tested in multiple lighting conditions — from natural light to studio setups.
• Balanced tone curves — smooth contrast without crushing shadows or blowing out whites.
• Skin-tone friendly — refined HSL values that protect color integrity.
• Cross-compatible — available for both Lightroom Mobile and Desktop

High-quality presets should enhance your images, not fight them. If you’re just starting your professional workflow, explore our All Access Bundle for a complete library of Lightroom presets designed for every style and season.

Closing Thoughts

At Lou & Marks, we design adaptive, one-click Lightroom presets created by photographers for photographers so your workflow stays effortless and your edits stay uniquely yours.

Whether you’re curating a timeless wedding gallery or editing golden-hour portraits, presets aren’t a shortcut—they’re the foundation of your craft.