Instagram Presets are a specific type of photo editing preset designed for use in Adobe Lightroom (both the desktop and mobile versions) that help you quickly edit your images and give them a cohesive aesthetic.

1. What Are Instagram Presets?

An Instagram preset is a set of predefined editing adjustments (like exposure, contrast, color balance, and clarity) saved in Lightroom. Applying a preset allows you to instantly apply those adjustments to your photo with one click. This is particularly useful for creating a cohesive and consistent look across all of your images, which is why they're so popular on Instagram. The purpose of the preset is to give your photo a polished, professional edit, without having to manually tweak every single setting.

2. Why Are They Used for Instagram?

Instagram is a visual platform, and having a feed that looks good and aligns with your personal or brand aesthetic can make a big difference. Here’s why presets are so popular on Instagram:

Aesthetic Consistency — Presets help create a consistent aesthetic across your Instagram feed. This is especially important for brands and influencers who want to build a recognizable visual identity. By using the same preset (or a similar set of presets), the photos in your feed will have the same color tones, mood, and overall vibe.

Efficiency — Editing photos on Instagram can take time, especially when you want to make sure each image fits a specific look. Lightroom presets allow you to quickly apply a trendy, professional edit with just one click. You don’t have to manually adjust settings like exposure, contrast, and color balance every time you edit a photo.

Professional Quality — Lightroom presets can help give your photos a professional finish, even if you’re not an expert in photo editing. By using a well-designed preset, you can achieve high-quality edits.

3. Types of Instagram Presets

There are many different styles of presets available, depending on the aesthetic you're going for. Here are some common types of Lightroom presets used on Instagram:

Light & Airy — These presets brighten your photos and add soft tones, making them feel airy, clean, and give them a classic overall edit.

Film — These presets give your photos an analog feel, often with rich contrast, vibrant film like color color tones, and grain options. These presets are a top editing trend of 2025.

Dark Aesthetic — These presets create a darker almost moody aesthetic edit. They create a the most cohesive aesthetic and are a top Instagram editing trend of 2025.

Moody — These presets will add deep moody toning and rich contrast to your images. This gives your images depth and mood and is a top editing trend for photographers who shoot portraits & weddings.

Vintage — Presets that give photos a faded, old-school look, often with muted colors, grain, and warmth. They work well for creating nostalgic, retro vibes.

Black & White — Classic black and white presets are always a great options. Film Black & White Presets are a top editing trend of 2025.

4. How to Use Instagram Presets

To use presets for Instagram, you'll need to install them on the Lightroom app (either desktop or mobile). Here's a step-by-step guide:

For Desktop Lightroom:

1. Install the preset — Download the preset file (zip file that contains your xmp files), and import it into Lightroom via the "Develop" module.

2. Apply the preset — Once the preset is installed, you can simply click on the preset in the “Presets” panel and it will apply the settings to your photo.

3. Make adjustments — If needed, tweak edit by adjusting the strength of the preset by using the opacity slider.

For Mobile Lightroom:

1. Install the preset — To use presets on the Lightroom mobile app, you need to install them via your mobile device. You can either install them by directly importing the preset to your presets panel in your Lightroom app. 

2. Apply the preset — Once installed, open your photo in Lightroom, tap the preset you want to use, and it will apply the edits instantly.

3. Make adjustments — If needed, tweak edit by adjusting the strength of the preset by using the opacity slider.

5. Where Can You Find Instagram Lightroom Presets?

You can find Lightroom presets from several sources:

Free Presets — You can download our free preset collections: CineStill Film Presets & Skin Smoothing Presets. 

Paid Presets — You can shop around for presets that match your aesthetic from photographers and influencers. You can shop our Instagram Presets.

Custom Presets — If you are a photographer or a content creator, we can create customer presets for you. This allows you to have your own signature aesthetic. You can fill out our contact form to start a quote and learn more.

6. Benefits of Using Instagram Lightroom Presets

Time Saving — Presets save you time by instantly applying a cohesive style to your photos, eliminating the need for repetitive manual edits.

Brand Identity — Many creators and brands use the same preset consistently to establish a recognizable visual identity, making their posts stand out.

Creative Control — Although presets offer a starting point, you can still make tweaks and fine-tune your images after applying them. This gives you both consistency and flexibility.

Professional Look — Well-designed Lightroom presets can elevate your photos and give them a polished, professional feel, making them look like they’ve been edited by a skilled photographer.

7. Top Presets For Instagram

2025 Instagram Editing Trend — Keeping your photos natural white creating a defined aesthetic is the top editing trend. The top aesthetic presets for Instagram are Kodak Gold Film, Golden Boho, Colorful Clean, Kodak Portra, Dark Aesthetic & Vintage Film Presets.

8. Things to Keep in Mind

Not All Presets Are Created The Same — Make sure you are getting presets from reputable creators. Buying poorly made presets will waste your time and money and disappoint you with the outcome. Take time to make sure you are getting presets that actually work for your photos. You care read our guide on how to find the right presets.

Final Thoughts

Instagram presets save time, create a consistent aesthetic, and help give photos a professional look, all while offering creative flexibility. Whether you're looking to achieve a certain mood, improve your feed’s overall appearance, or just save time on editing, Lightroom presets can make a big difference in your Instagram game.