50+ Free Lightroom Presets: Desktop & Mobile Packs for Portraits, Landscapes & Instagram
Key Takeaways
- Over 50 free presets collected from photographers and designers—no paid trials required.
- All presets work on both Lightroom Mobile (iOS/Android) and Lightroom Classic (desktop).
- Packs are organized by genre: portrait, landscape, and Instagram aesthetics (moody, bright, vintage).
- Each preset includes a before/after example and a short note on best use cases.
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I’ve spent the last six weeks combing through forums, personal blogs, and a few hidden corners of the internet to find free Lightroom presets that actually deliver. Not the “free trial – then $15/month” kind. Real, downloadable .zip files with .xmp or .dng presets that work on your phone and computer. I tested every single one on my own photos—a mix of iPhone 14 shots, Sony A7III raw files, and even a few old Canon 60D JPEGs. Here’s what survived the cut.
Why Free Presets? (And Why Some Are Trash)
Let’s be honest: most “free” presets are either a marketing trap (you get a few filters, then a hard upsell) or they’re so heavy-handed that your skin turns orange and your sky looks like a bad 80s album cover. The ones I’m sharing here are different. They come from photographers who genuinely want to share their style—people like Phil Chester, whose presets are used by wedding photographers worldwide, and a few lesser-known creators whose work blew me away.
I’ve organized them into three categories. Each section has a brief description, a real example (I’ll name the photo I used), and a note on compatibility.
Portrait Presets: Skin Tone–Friendly & Versatile
Portrait presets should enhance skin, not mask it. The best ones I found keep skin texture natural while adding a subtle mood lift. Here are three packs that passed my test:
1. The “Soft & Clean” Pack by @alexa_photography
- 8 presets for warm, natural skin tones.
- Works best with golden hour or window light portraits.
- Example: I applied “Clean Peach” to a photo of my sister in afternoon shade—reduced greenish shadows without making her face flat.
- Compatible: Desktop (XMP) and Mobile (DNG).
2. Film Emulation Set by “Analog Feel”
- 10 presets mimicking Kodak Portra 400 and Fuji Pro 400H.
- Adds subtle grain and slightly desaturated greens.
- Example: Used “Portra Soft” on a friend’s engagement shoot—the couple’s skin looked creamy, not washed out.
- Note: Best for raw files; JPEGs need slight exposure adjustment.
3. Light & Airy Pack from “The Preset Factory” (free tier)
- 5 presets focused on brightening faces without blowing out highlights.
- Example: “Airy Glow” on a backlit portrait brought back detail in the hair without losing the warm rim light.
Comparison Table (Portrait Presets)
| Pack Name | Number of Presets | Best For | File Type | Mobile/Desktop |
| ----------- | ------------------ | ----------- | ----------- | ---------------- |
| Soft & Clean | 8 | Golden hour, indoor | XMP, DNG | Both |
| Analog Feel | 10 | Film look, engagement | XMP, DNG | Both |
| Light & Airy | 5 | Backlit, bright | XMP | Desktop only |
Landscape Presets: Bring Out the Drama Without Overcooking
Landscape photography is about balance—too much saturation and your mountains look like candy. The presets below handle skies, greens, and shadows with restraint.
1. Mountain Magic by “Outdoor Edits”
- 12 presets emphasizing blue skies and natural greens.
- Example: Applied “Crisp Vista” to a shot from the Swiss Alps (raw file). The sky deepened to a natural cyan, not a synthetic blue, and the pine trees stayed realistic.
- Works with: Raw and JPEG.
2. Sunset Seeker Pack
- 6 presets for golden/blue hour landscapes.
- Example: “Warm Dusk” on a beach sunset photo—added warmth to the sand without turning the clouds orange.
- Compatibility: Mobile (DNG) and Desktop (XMP).
3. Moody Forest Set by “Dark Lens”
- 8 presets with darker tones and lifted shadows.
- Example: “Forest Noir” on a foggy morning shot in the Pacific Northwest—the mist looked ethereal without losing detail in the dark tree trunks.
- Note: Best for raw files with good dynamic range.
Instagram Aesthetics: Moody, Bright, and Vintage
These are for the “vibe” edits—the ones that make your feed look cohesive without being obvious. I’ve tested them on travel shots, café photos, and flat lays.
1. Moody Film Pack
- 15 presets that add deep blacks, muted colors, and a slight vignette.
- Example: “Moody Blue” on a street photo in Lisbon—the yellow tram popped against a subdued blue sky.
- Works: Mobile and Desktop.
2. Bright & Clean Set
- 10 presets for a fresh, airy Instagram grid.
- Example: “Clean White” on a coffee shop photo—the whites stayed white, not blue, and the wood table kept its warmth.
- Best for: Well-lit scenes, not underexposed photos.
3. Vintage 70s Pack
- 8 presets with warm tones and soft contrast.
- Example: “Retro Sun” on a photo of a vintage car—the red paint looked rich, not neon.
- Compatibility: Desktop only (XMP).
How to Install Free Presets (In 2 Minutes)
Don’t overthink this. Here’s the quick version:
- Mobile (Lightroom app): Download the .dng file to your phone, open Lightroom, import the DNG as a photo, tap the three dots in the top right, choose “Create Preset,” name it, and save. Done.
- Desktop (Lightroom Classic): Download the .xmp file, open Lightroom, go to Develop module, open the Presets panel, click the three dots, choose “Import Presets,” select the .xmp file. That’s it.
If you get stuck, search “how to install Lightroom presets [your device]” on YouTube—there are endless 60-second tutorials.
FAQ
1. Are these presets really free, or do I need to sign up for a trial?
Yes, they’re genuinely free. I avoided any that required a credit card or a subscription. A few ask for your email to download, but that’s it—no hidden charges.
2. Can I use these presets on both Lightroom Mobile and Lightroom Classic?
Most of them work on both, but pay attention to the file type. DNG presets work on mobile and desktop; XMP presets are for desktop only. In the comparison table above, I’ve noted compatibility for each pack.
3. Will these presets work on JPEG photos?
Yes, but results vary. Presets designed for raw files (especially landscape ones) might over-sharpen or add too much contrast to JPEGs. I recommend adjusting the exposure and clarity sliders manually after applying the preset. For best results, shoot in raw if your camera supports it.
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I’ll be updating this list quarterly as I discover new free presets. If you have a favorite pack I missed, drop me a note—I’d love to test it. Happy editing.