Christmas light photos are some of the most magical images to edit, but also the trickiest. Between glowing bulbs, cozy indoor warmth, and cool winter tones, it’s easy for colors to look too orange, too blue, or washed out.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to edit Christmas light photos in Lightroom so your images feel bright, cozy, and true to life, whether you’re working with a Christmas tree indoors or twinkle lights in the snow.
(All steps work in both Lightroom Mobile and Desktop, and pair beautifully with the Lou & Marks Holiday Preset Bundle.)
Step 1: Start with a Clean, Warm Base Preset
The easiest way to even out tones and get a natural starting point is to apply a base preset. For Christmas lights, try:
- Cozy Holiday – adds warmth and glow
- Cozy Glow – gives that gorgeous glow
- Hot Cocoa – keeps images rich and warm
- Holiday Lights – enhances the sparkle of string lights
This gives your photo balance before you start adjusting exposure or white balance.
Step 2: Fix the White Balance
Christmas lights often cast extra color on faces and surroundings. Here’s how to keep everything looking natural:
- Temperature: raise slightly (+10–20) to keep warmth without over-yellowing
- Tint: lower slightly (–2 to –4) to remove magenta or pink tones
- Tip: Use the eyedropper tool to click on a neutral gray area (like clothing) for accuracy
This keeps skin tones true while preserving the cozy light.
Step 3: Balance Exposure and Highlights
Christmas lights can blow out quickly.
- Lower Highlights (–30 to –50) to protect glow detail
- Raise Shadows (+20–30) to reveal texture in darker areas
- Increase Exposure (+0.15–0.25) if needed
The goal is a soft glow, not a harsh shine. If your background feels flat, lift Whites (+10) but keep Blacks (0 or –5) to hold contrast.
Step 4: Add Soft Glow with Tone Curve
This is where the magic happens.
- Lift the lower left point of the Tone Curve slightly for a matte softness
- Add a subtle curve in the mid-tones for gentle depth
This creates that dreamy “holiday light haze,” bright but velvety.
Step 5: Enhance Warmth & Color
In the Color Mixer, fine-tune tones for that signature holiday warmth:
- Oranges: Lower saturation slightly (–5) for natural skin
- Yellows: Reduce saturation (–10) and increase luminance (+10) to make lights glow softly
- Blues: Lower saturation (–10 to –20) to keep snow or window light clean, not icy
Your lights will stay golden while whites remain bright and true.
Step 6: Add Selective Glow (Optional)
Use a Radial Mask or Brush Mask:
- Select the area around the Christmas lights or tree
- Increase Warmth (+15), Exposure (+0.2), and slightly reduce Clarity (–10)
This adds a subtle halo, a beautiful finishing touch that feels magical without looking fake.
The Takeaway: Keep It Natural
When editing photos with Christmas lights, less is often more. You want to preserve the way the moment felt: cozy, soft, and full of light.
If your photo starts to look too orange or muddy, pull back saturation or lift exposure slightly. The best edits look effortless.
Recommended Presets for Holiday Light Photos
These presets are designed to enhance warm glows, keep skin tones natural, and make Christmas lights shine beautifully in every photo.
- Cozy Holiday – warm indoor glow
- Cozy Glow – gives that gorgeous glow
- Holiday Lights – sparkle and depth
- Hot Cocoa – rich warmth and depth
- Warm & Cozy – soft warmth and glow
- Eggnog – soft and dreamy tones
Editing Christmas light photos is about finding balance between glow and clarity, warmth and realism. With a few Lightroom tweaks and the right preset, you can turn your holiday photos into bright, cozy memories that last all season.
Common Christmas Light Editing Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
Even with the best photos, Christmas lights can be tricky to balance. Here’s how to fix the most common editing issues in Lightroom:
Overexposed lights? Lower Highlights and slightly increase Contrast to bring back detail and shape in the bulbs.
Too yellow or orange? Drop Warmth by 5–10 points or adjust Yellow Saturation in the Color Mixer for a softer golden glow.
Washed-out whites? Add a gentle S-curve in the Tone Curve panel to restore depth and keep whites crisp but not harsh.
Small adjustments like these help your photo keep that dreamy glow while staying clean and natural — the hallmark of a well-balanced holiday edit.
FAQ: Editing Christmas Light Photos in Lightroom
1. Can I edit Christmas light photos in Lightroom Mobile?
Yes! All Lou & Marks presets are designed for both Mobile and Desktop. Lightroom Mobile offers the same essential sliders for adjusting warmth, highlights, and tone curves, perfect for on-the-go holiday editing.
2. What preset is best for indoor vs. outdoor Christmas light photos?
For indoor photos, use Cozy Holiday or Golden Holiday to enhance warm glows and candlelight tones. For outdoor scenes, try Snowflake Bright or Wintergreen Dreams to keep snow and lights crisp without losing warmth.
3. Why do my Christmas lights look blue or dull in photos?
This happens when your camera’s white balance is too cool. In Lightroom, raise Temperature and slightly lower Blues in the Color Mixer to bring back that natural golden warmth.
