This may seem obvious, but it needs to be said. 

If you want that perfect edit and stunning, shareable photo… you need to start with the right preset with the style and mood you want.

Professional presets are amazing at enhancing the overall look and feel of your photos… but they’re not a “magic wand.”

If you’ve been editing for a while, you probably already know this – but the wrong preset can actually detract from your photo or create an artificial or “fake” look. 

If you’re just starting out, it can be easy to get frustrated with this. You take your photography seriously and you just invested in professional presets… and now you applied one and it doesn’t look how you expected. 

We get it!

But don’t give up. Like anything worthwhile, there’s a bit of an upfront learning curve before you master your process and achieve the results you want.

So… to choose the right preset, start by asking yourself what kind of mood and style you want to achieve with your photo.

• Do you want it to have a cool or warm tone? 

• Should it be muted or vibrant? 

• Are you going for a vintage or modern look?

Once you have an answer to these questions, search for an H&V preset that aligns with your vision. 

It’s important to keep in mind that every photo is unique, and there’s no one-size-fits-all preset that will work for them all (however, once you get your style “dialed in” it will be MUCH faster and easier moving forward… your work upfront today will pay dividends moving forward).

Every photo has its own unique attributes – lighting, colors, and composition, among others – and sometimes a little modification after you’ve applied your preset goes a long way.

So take your time to experiment and find the presets that best fits your vision… and then adjust the preset to suit your unique preferences. With some practice and experimentation, you’ll be able to quickly edit stunning photos that stand out… and many people (myself included) find that the editing process quickly goes from frustrating to a lot of FUN!