9 Best Lightroom Presets for Portraits: 2024 Edition
In portrait photography, every shot is a chance to create an indelible image that shows your subject just as they are, captured in time. Though the moment the shutter clicks can be magical, that doesn’t mean the process stops there. The right Lightroom presets can simplify your editing process and give your photos a polished, professional, and consistent look shot after shot without endless tweaking and fiddling in edits.
Keep reading for an exploration of nine of the best Lightroom presets for portraits, why they’re so good, and what makes them ideal for different styles and atmospheres.
1. Portra 400
Portra 400, from the Portra Original preset pack, is one of the best Lightroom presets for portrait photographers who want warm, soft, luxurious light in their editing process. This is a must-have if you’re looking for photos with an easy, natural look, excellent color accuracy, and a good balance between bright highlights and deep, even shadows.
2. Portra 800
Also from the Portra Original pack, Portra 800 is great for portrait photographers who want a dynamic and versatile preset. It’s got a bit more punch than Portra 400, making it ideal for more modern, vibrant-looking portrait photography.
It’s a great preset for low-light shots, preserving fine detail while keeping skin tones smooth and even. Whether you’re editing indoor shots or golden hour portraits shot with changing light, this is an excellent choice for consistent but vivid photographs.
3. Ektar 100
There’s a reason Adventure Everyday is one of the favorite preset collections among professional photographers. It features Ektar 100, which is great for vivid, saturated colors when shooting portraits against landscapes or other bright, bold backgrounds. This is a clear choice if you’re looking for a preset that will produce striking but natural skin tones without sacrificing clarity or background color.
4. Gold 200
Gold 200, also in the Adventure Everyday pack, is great for portrait photographers looking for buttery golden images that evoke the feeling of a late summer day. It’s the perfect preset to enhance or mimic natural light and an ideal choice for golden-hour photo shoots. It gives skin tones a beautiful, healthy glow and lends warmth to your composition, resulting in inviting, nostalgic, and intimate portraiture.
5. Acros 100
If your personal take on portraiture leans more toward black and white, Acros 100 from the Lifestyle Everyday is one of the best photo presets to add to your arsenal. It emphasizes sharp details and a full range of tones from deep blacks to bright whites. An excellent choice for dramatic, elegant portrait photography that focuses on a subject’s expression and features, Acros 100 imbues each shot with added depth and texture.
6. Fuji 400H PLUS
If you specialize in soft, romantic portrait work, Fuji 400H PLUS from the Founders Plus pack is one of the best presets for Lightroom portraits. This preset is ideal for dreamy pastel hues, flattering skin tones, and light, ethereal shots. It has exceptionally balanced highlights and shadows for portrait photographers who want a bright and airy style that doesn’t sacrifice even, true-to-life colors.
7. Fuji 400H MUTED
A slightly subdued color palette can be perfect for capturing introspective moments. The Fuji 400H MUTED preset, also from the Founders PLUS pack of high-quality presets, is an excellent choice for an understated, subtle touch. A softer version of the Fuji 400H PLUS, this preset specializes in gentle contrasts and toned-down color. If you’re trying to evoke an atmosphere of calm tranquility, you’ll want to pick this one up.
8. Natura 1600
Natura 1600 from the Night and Day collection of desktop presets is one of the best portrait presets for shooting low-light, nightlife, or indoor portrait photography. It keeps skin tones warm and natural while delivering vibrant blues and greens. Image quality stays crisp, clean, and pure whether you’re shooting evening events, cozy nighttime portraits, or in a limited-light setting.
9. Cinema 400
Great portraits can tell a life story in a single image. Cinema 400 from the Cinema Everyday preset pack is great for evoking the dramatic, charged look of classic film. With deep, unflinching contrasts and bold, luscious colors, Cinema 400 gives each shot a poignant, resonant atmosphere perfect for everything from intimate wedding photography to everyday moments that echo through time. This is an ideal preset for photographers looking for intense, captivating portraits that have the feel of a cinematic still.
