How to Find Your Photography Style Using Lightroom Presets

A style-discovery guide for new + seasoned photographers

Finding your photography style isn’t something that happens overnight. It doesn’t matter if you’re brand new to Lightroom or you’ve been behind the camera for a decade—learning what feels like you inside your edits takes time, exploration, and often… a whole lot of trial and error.

I’ve been a photographer since around 2010, and if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s this:

Your style will change as you do.
Early portraits, lifestyle families, commercial work, branding sessions, products, and now more creative projects—every season shifted my eye and evolved my style. And that’s exactly how it should be.

But there are ways to speed up the journey, especially if you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed trying to figure out what your aesthetic even is.

This is where Lightroom presets become an incredibly powerful tool—not as a shortcut, but as a way to explore different directions and discover what resonates.

Before & Afters with 50+ Lightroom Presets

Why Your Photography Editing Style Matters

Your editing style is more than a filter.
It’s a signature.
A feeling.
A recognizable visual personality.

A strong style helps you:

✔ Stand out in saturated markets
✔ Build a cohesive portfolio
✔ Attract clients who align with your aesthetic
✔ Edit faster (and with confidence)
✔ Create a brand people instantly recognize

Most photographers think they have to pick one lane:

dark + moody
light + airy
true-to-color
warm + golden
film-inspired

…but your real style often lives somewhere in between.

Why Lightroom Presets Make Style Discovery Easier

Presets help you explore different looks fast so you can see what feels aligned.
They let you compare styles side-by-side instantly—and more importantly, they help you notice what you’re naturally drawn to.

But here’s the issue with most preset packs:

They’re too one-note.
All moody.
All warm.
All airy.
All film.

Great if you already know that’s your style.
Not so great if you’re still exploring.

That’s exactly why I created my Lightroom Preset Pack for Style Discovery—a mix of aesthetics designed to help photographers experiment without overwhelm.

👉 Check out the 50+ Preset Bundle

What Makes These Lightroom Presets Different

These packs includes a little bit of everything so you can truly explore:

✨ soft, light + airy edits
✨ warm golden tones
✨ rich, moody tones
✨ clean true-to-color
✨ botanical-friendly tones
✨ bright whites without blown highlights
✨ film-inspired tones
✨ creative, editorial-inspired looks

Perfect for:

✔ Portrait photographers
✔ Lifestyle + family photographers
✔ Branding + commercial work
✔ Product photography
✔ Travel + nature photographers
✔ Anyone who wants a cohesive Instagram aesthetic

Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned photographer, this pack gives you the range you need to actually find your style—not just copy someone else’s.

How to Use Presets to Find Your Editing Style

Here’s the workflow I recommend (and used myself while I was refining my style):

1. Test Presets on Portraits First

Portraits reveal everything:

skin tones
shadows
highlights
color balance
contrast

If a preset works on people, it will work on almost anything.

2. Explore Different Styles (Light & Airy, Dark & Moody, Clean, Cinematic)

This is where you naturally hit all your SEO keywords:

Lightroom presets for portraits
Lightroom presets light and airy
Lightroom presets dark and moody
Lightroom presets for new photographers
Lightroom presets for photographers

Light + Airy
Bright whites, soft skin, open shadows.

Dark + Moody
Deep tones, rich shadows, dramatic drama.

Clean + True-to-Color
Minimal stylization, perfect for branding and product work.

Cinematic
Muted highlights, rich blues/greens, a storytelling vibe.

Try each one and see how your emotional response changes.
That’s your taste speaking.

3. Use the Same 5 Test Photos for Every Preset

Choose:

✔ 1 outdoor portrait
✔ 1 indoor portrait
✔ 1 tricky lighting situation
✔ 1 product or flatlay
✔ 1 landscape/botanical

This lets you compare apples-to-apples and see what consistently feels right.

4. Narrow Down Your Top 2–3 Aesthetics

This is where your editing style solidifies.

You might gravitate toward:

warm, glowing portrait tones
clean, true-color lifestyle edits
a moody dramatic edge
soft airy pastels
combo edits depending on your subject

Choose your favorite 2–3 looks from the pack and stick with them for a bit.
Consistency = style.

5. Edit 10–20 Photos with Your Chosen Presets

By photo 20 you’ll already notice:

“This feels like me.”
“This tone makes my work feel consistent.”
“This is the aesthetic I want to be known for.”

That’s your style officially finding you.

find your photo editing style with lightroom presets

Ready to Find Your Photo Editing Style?

My Lightroom Preset Pack is built for exactly this moment—exploration, clarity, and creative confidence.

👉 You’ll love this 50+ preset bundle I created

✔ Works on Lightroom Mobile
✔ Works on Lightroom Desktop
✔ Compatible with RAW + JPEG
✔ Beginner- and pro-friendly
✔ Instant download
✔ Includes multiple cohesive styles to test

Perfect for photographers who want to experiment, grow, and carve out a signature look.

Your style is already there.
These presets just help you reveal it faster.