Finding Your Photography Style with the Help of Presets

One of the most exciting (and sometimes frustrating) parts of being a photographer is discovering your unique style. You know—the kind of look that makes people instantly recognize your work. But with endless editing possibilities, it can be easy to feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of where to start.

That’s where presets come in. While they aren’t a magic fix, they can be an amazing tool in helping you refine your style, speed up your workflow, and bring consistency to your work. So, let’s dive into how presets can help you find your signature look and make editing a whole lot easier!

What Are Presets and Why Do They Matter?

Presets are pre-saved editing adjustments that can be applied to photos with just one click in programs like Lightroom. They adjust things like exposure, contrast, color tones, and saturation to create a specific look. Instead of starting from scratch with every edit, presets give you a solid starting point—allowing you to tweak and refine your photos without spending hours adjusting sliders.

How Presets Can Help You Find Your Style

1. They Show You What You’re Drawn To

When experimenting with different presets, pay attention to what catches your eye. Do you love warm and moody tones? Bright and airy vibes? Deep, rich contrasts? Testing presets can help you recognize patterns in what you naturally gravitate toward, guiding you toward a cohesive style.

2. They Bring Consistency to Your Work

A strong photography style is all about consistency. Using a select set of presets can help your photos have a unified look, whether they’re for social media, your website, or client galleries. This consistency builds your brand and makes your work instantly recognizable.

3. They Speed Up Your Workflow

Let’s be honest—editing can be time-consuming. Presets help you cut down on the hours spent fine-tuning each image by giving you a solid foundation. From there, you can make small tweaks to fit each photo while still maintaining a cohesive look.

4. They Help You Learn Editing Techniques

Using presets isn’t just about applying a one-click filter; it’s about understanding how different settings affect your photos. By studying how a preset changes highlights, shadows, or color tones, you can learn new editing techniques and start customizing your edits to make them truly your own.

5. They Can Be a Launchpad for Your Own Custom Presets

Once you’ve experimented with presets and figured out what you love, you can start tweaking them and creating your own! Adjust the settings to match your specific vision, save them as custom presets, and develop a unique editing style that’s truly yours.

How to Use Presets Without Losing Your Creativity

While presets are an amazing tool, they shouldn’t replace your creativity or personal touch. Here are a few tips to use them effectively:

• Use them as a starting point – Apply a preset and then adjust it to fit your specific image. Lighting, skin tones, and environments vary, so fine-tuning is key!

• Customize them to fit your brand – Don’t be afraid to modify presets to better match your vision. Small tweaks in contrast, temperature, or grain can make a big difference.

• Be selective – Instead of jumping between dozens of presets, narrow it down to a few that truly align with your style. Consistency is key!

Final Thoughts

Finding your photography style takes time, but presets can be a powerful tool in helping you discover what you love, bring consistency to your work, and speed up your editing process. The key is to use them as a guide, not a crutch—experiment, adjust, and make them your own!

So, if you’re feeling stuck in your editing journey, try out some presets, play around with different looks, and trust the process. Your unique style is already in you—you just have to uncover it! 💛📸

The Bloom Preset Collection for Lightroom Classic

Introducing the Bloom Preset Collection—carefully curated and designed to deliver consistent, romantic, and timeless edits. This collection includes a base color preset with 16 modifiers, along with two beautifully crafted black and white presets. The base preset enhances soft, true-to-life colors, creating a modern, dreamy aesthetic that's perfect for any session.

The presets also include a quick start guide with installation and editing tips to get the most out of the collection.