Best Free Lightroom Presets

Image editing can be intimidating, especially when you’re short on time but want perfect results. That’s why the best Lightroom presets free come in handy—they’re a fast, effective answer to what makes your photos look good in a flash, for free. Whether you’re just starting or have been shooting for years, these editing templates make it easy to get dramatic, consistent looks in just minutes. In this guide, you’ll find out why they’re so helpful, where to find the best free presets, how to install them without hassle, and some great options for different photography styles.

Why You Should Use Free Lightroom Presets

Lightroom presets are ready-made editing tools that instantly change the look of a photo by tweaking light, contrast, color, and more. Think of them as filters—but with a lot more control. Many photographers love using the best free Lightroom presets because they deliver clean, professional results without the price tag. They’re perfect for beginners or anybody who wants to edit without spending a fortune. And they keep your photos looking uniform—a definite plus for bloggers, influencers, or anybody building their brand’s aesthetic. Plus, they save tons of time, so you can spend more time behind the camera and less in front of the screen.

The Best Lightroom Presets for Different Photography Styles

With so many Lightroom presets available, it’s helpful to know which ones stand out for specific photography styles. 

Light and Airy Presets for Soft, Bright Edits

Light and airy presets are perfect for giving photos a bright, soft, and dreamy feel. 

For example, Autumn Glow Portraits by Steve Roe warms up the colors and gently softens the highlights, making it ideal for romantic portraits or wedding shots. Christmas Holiday by Jakub Bors adds a clean, fresh brightness with a cozy holiday touch.

These presets brighten the lighter parts of the photo while easing the contrast, creating a calm and inviting look that’s really pleasant to see. For Apple users, pairing these with a free Mac photo editor can streamline the editing process.

Dark & Moody Presets for Intense, Atmospheric Looks

If you’re after a dramatic, intense look, dark and moody presets are the way to go. 

Eternal Exploration and Endless Adventures by Robert Bohnke deepen shadows and soften colors, making them perfect for storytelling landscapes or striking portraits. Foggy Landscapes by Steve Roe adds a mysterious, almost cinematic atmosphere to your outdoor shots. 

These editing templates are great for creating powerful, emotional images that really stand out. For PC users, consider an alternative to Windows Photo Viewer to preview images before editing.

Bright & Clean Presets for Clear, Vibrant Photos

Bright and clean presets make photos look sharp and vibrant without going overboard. 

For example, Verdant Nature by Steve Roe highlights the greens and blues, which work perfectly for landscapes or outdoor portraits. Snow Zen, by the same author, adds fresh, crisp tones to winter scenes, while Green Winter, by Jakub Bors, brings lively splashes of color to holiday photos, making them really stand out. 

These are the best presets for Lightroom free that ensure photos look sharp and lively.

Film-Inspired Presets for That Classic Analog Look

Film-inspired ones give digital photos that warm, nostalgic feel of old-school analog film. 

For example, Monochrome Film by Mariano Morichini turns your pictures into striking black-and-white images with deep, rich contrast—great for creating timeless portraits. Meanwhile, Steve Roe’s Mirage copies the look of classic film, perfect for adding a creative, artistic vibe to your images. 

For those curious about other editing platforms, explore Luminar Neo vs Lightroom to see how these predefined templates can work across tools.

Other notable presets include: 

• Snowcapped Trees and Neon Frost by Steve Roe for wintery, cool-toned landscapes. 

• Neon Winter and Neon Nights by Steve Roe for vibrant urban shots. 

• Street Chronicles by Steve Roe for gritty street photography. 

• Afterdark Tokyo by Steve Roe for dynamic night scenes. 

• Autumn in the East by Steve Roe for warm, seasonal portraits. 

• Christmas Holiday by Jakub Bors adds a cozy, festive vibe to lifestyle shots. 

You can find many of these on platforms that offer Lightroom presets for purchase or free download.

Top Categories of Free Lightroom Presets

Free Lightroom presets come in a variety of styles, each tailored to enhance specific types of photography.

Portrait Presets

Portrait presets are created to make individuals appear their best. They refine skin tones, sharpen facial features, and subtly hide small imperfections—without over-processing the photograph. Whether it’s a crisp headshot or a laid-back, candid moment, these filters add warmth and clarity, completing each portrait clean and natural.

Landscape Presets

For anyone who loves the outdoors, landscape presets make the greens, blues, and natural earth tones pop. They bring out the fine details in skies, trees, and mountains—perfect for travel and adventure photographers who want to show the world’s beauty just as they see it.

Wedding Presets

Wedding presets are designed to preserve the joy and heart of a couple’s wedding day. They add gentle, golden hues, soften harsh areas, and enhance true colors to create a dreamy, vintage look. The result is photos that are romantic, classy, and brimming with genuine moments, just as the memories should be remembered.

Vintage Presets

Vintage presets add a cozy, nostalgic vibe to your photos by softening colors, adding a bit of grain, and fading the tones just right. They’re great for giving images that classic, timeless feel, like they were captured on old-school film.

Moody Presets

With moody settings, photos get rich shadows and delicate hues that build up a somber, close-to-film-like mood. They are excellent for portraits and landscape photos with a story.

Film and VSCO Presets

These presets are inspired by classic film, bringing in that grainy texture and warm, nostalgic colors. They’re perfect for anyone who loves a vintage, artistic vibe—kind of like the look you get from old film rolls or popular VSCO filters.

Urban and Street Photography Presets

Urban presets bring out the energy and raw feel of city life. They crank up the contrast and punch up the colors, making buildings, neon lights, and street scenes pop with boldness and character.

Night Photography Presets

Night photography presets are specifically designed to handle tricky low-light images. They brighten contrast, soften grain, and bring out concealed details in shadow—perfect for capturing glowing cityscapes, starry night skies, or portraits taken after sunset.

Golden Hour Presets

Golden hour presets highlight the cozy, warm light found at sunrise and sunset. They bring out those beautiful golden colors and add a soft, dreamy glow—ideal for portraits or landscapes shot during these special hours. Since there are so many options available, photographers can find the best presets Lightroom free to match their unique vision. Trying out different presets often opens the door to exciting new editing possibilities.

How to Apply and Install Free Lightroom Presets

It is simple to install and use Lightroom presets, whether you have a desktop or mobile application. Follow this easy-to-use guide and be up and running in a flash.

How to Install Lightroom Presets on Desktop

1. Download the preset files – These usually come in .xmp or .lrtemplate formats.

2. Open Lightroom – Launch either Lightroom Classic or Lightroom CC on your desktop.

3. Go to the Develop module – Look for the Presets panel on the left side.

4. Click the “+” icon – Select “Import Presets” from the dropdown menu.

5. Locate your downloaded presets – Navigate to the folder where your files are saved.

6. Import and apply – Once imported, your customized templates will appear in the panel and can be applied with one click.

For a more complete setup, consider pairing Lightroom with powerful image editing software to enhance your workflow.

How to Install Lightroom Presets on Mobile

1. Download the preset files to your phone – These are usually .dng files.

2. Open the Lightroom Mobile app – Launch the app and get ready to import.

3. Import the .dng files as photos – Add them to your library like regular images.

4. Open each .dng file – Tap into one, make any changes if needed.

5. Save as a new preset – Tap the three-dot menu, then “Create Preset.”

6. Use your new template – It will now be available to apply to any photo in the app.

Need help getting started? Pair this with photo editing software for beginners for an even smoother experience.

How to Import and Organize Your Presets

1. Keep things tidy – After importing, create folders in the Presets panel to group them (like “Portraits” or “Landscapes”).

2. Name them clearly – Give each preset a name that reflects its style or use case.

3. Update your collection – Regularly download the best free presets for Lightroom from trusted sources to stay creative.

4. Use folders to streamline workflow – Organized presets help speed up editing and keep your style consistent.

Looking to expand your toolkit? The best software for picture editing can help elevate your editing game even further.

Luminar Neo: A Strong Alternative to Lightroom

If you’re looking for something to use alongside Lightroom or even as an alternative, Luminar Neo is a solid choice. It’s a powerful photo editor also works as a plugin for Lightroom, so it fits right into your usual workflow. With smart AI tools like sky replacement and portrait retouching, even advanced edits feel simple, no matter your skill level. You can find a great selection of Lightroom presets in the Luminar Neo marketplace. Whether you use Luminar Neo by itself or alongside Lightroom, it makes editing quicker, simpler, and way more fun.