How to Sell Lightroom Presets and Make Money as a Photographer

Want to turn your photo editing skills into passive income? Selling Lightroom presets is one of the easiest ways for photographers to monetize their work online. Whether you’re a professional or hobbyist, you can create and sell presets to help others edit their photos like a pro.

Let’s break down how to create, market, and sell Lightroom presets for profit.

Step 1: What Are Lightroom Presets?

🔹 How Do Lightroom Presets Work?

Lightroom presets are pre-saved editing settings that photographers can apply to their photos with one click. They help users achieve a consistent look without manually adjusting exposure, contrast, colors, or tones.

🔹 Why Sell Lightroom Presets?

  • Passive Income – Sell the same presets over and over with no extra work.
  • Growing Market – Influencers, bloggers, and photographers love quick editing tools.
  • Low Start-Up Costs – No need for inventory or shipping—just digital downloads.

💡 Pro Tip: Some photographers make $5,000+ per month selling presets on Etsy, Shopify, and Instagram!

Step 2: Create Professional Lightroom Presets

🔹 Best Software for Creating Presets

  • Adobe Lightroom (Desktop & Mobile) – Industry-standard editing software.
  • Lightroom Classic – Best for advanced editing.
  • Lightroom Mobile (Free Version) – Allows easy preset creation for beginners.

🔹 How to Make a High-Quality Preset

  1. Edit a Photo Manually – Adjust brightness, contrast, saturation, and tones.
  2. Refine the Colors – Use HSL sliders for professional color grading.
  3. Save as a Preset – Click “Create Preset” in Lightroom and save your settings.
  4. Test on Multiple Images – Ensure the preset works on different lighting and skin tones.

💡 Pro Tip: Create 5–10 presets per pack for better value and higher sales!

Step 3: Package & Export Your Presets

🔹 File Formats to Use

  • .XMP (For Lightroom Classic) – Works on desktop Lightroom.
  • .DNG (For Lightroom Mobile) – Ideal for mobile users (no paid subscription needed).

🔹 How to Make Your Presets Easy to Use

  • Include installation instructions (PDF or video tutorial).
  • Offer both desktop & mobile versions for more buyers.
  • Name your presets creatively (e.g., “Golden Hour Glow” instead of “Preset 1”).

💡 Pro Tip: Add a before-and-after photo preview to show how your presets transform images!

Step 4: Set Up Your Online Store

🔹 Best Platforms to Sell Lightroom Presets

  • Etsy – High traffic, great for digital products ($0.20 per listing).
  • Gumroad – Simple checkout system for selling directly to customers.
  • Shopify – Best for creating a branded store (monthly fee required).
  • Creative Market – Premium marketplace for designers & photographers.

🔹 Pricing Your Presets

  • Single Preset: $5–$10
  • Preset Pack (5–10 presets): $20–$50
  • Premium Preset Bundles: $50–$100

💡 Pro Tip: Bundles sell better than single presets—customers want variety!

Step 5: Market Your Presets & Get Sales

🔹 Where to Promote Your Presets

  • Instagram & TikTok – Share before-and-after reels to showcase your presets.
  • Pinterest – Create eye-catching pins linking to your store.
  • YouTube – Post Lightroom editing tutorials featuring your presets.
  • Facebook Groups – Join photography & influencer communities.

🔹 How to Get Your First Sales

  1. Run a Limited-Time Discount – Offer 30% off for the first 10 buyers.
  2. Partner with Influencers – Give presets to influencers in exchange for promotion.
  3. Use SEO Keywords – Optimize Etsy & Shopify listings with “best Lightroom presets for Instagram”.

💡 Pro Tip: Offer one free preset in exchange for an email signup, then upsell full packs!

Step 6: Scale to $1,000+ Per Month

🔹 Strategies to Increase Sales

  • Launch New Preset Collections – Seasonal presets (e.g., summer, fall, wedding).
  • Offer Custom Presets – Charge $50–$150 for custom editing styles.
  • Create an Affiliate Program – Let influencers earn commissions promoting your presets.
  • Sell on Multiple Platforms – Expand beyond Etsy to Shopify, Gumroad, and your own website.

💡 Pro Tip: The top preset sellers focus on marketing & branding—not just product quality.

Final Thoughts

Selling Lightroom presets is a profitable, low-maintenance side hustle for photographers. By creating high-quality presets, marketing them effectively, and selling in multiple places, you can build a passive income stream and scale to $1,000+ per month.

🔥 Want to fast-track your success? Check out our Lightroom Preset Business Course and start making money today! 🚀