Oh, summer! There’s something magical about those sun-soaked days, right? Whether it’s the bright, golden light, the vibrant colors, or that overall warm and carefree vibe, summer has a way of making everything look a little more… alive. But let’s be real—capturing that feeling in a photo? Not always as easy as it sounds. You take the picture, and it’s good, but somehow it doesn’t quite capture the magic of the moment. That’s where presets come in to save the day!
Imagine being able to bottle up that perfect summer day—the one where the sky was the bluest blue, the grass was the greenest green, and the sunset was pure magic—and then sprinkle it over all your photos. With these presets, you can bring out the best in your summer shots, making them as vibrant and warm as you remember them. It’s like giving your photos a sun-kissed glow, even if the weather wasn’t playing along that day. So, whether you’re editing beach photos, garden party snaps, or those dreamy golden hour shots, these presets are about to become your best friends.
15 Summer Lightroom Presets Download Now
Your photos deserve to look as good as your summer felt, and these presets make that happen, effortlessly. I’m here to assist—let’s create some unforgettable summer memories together!
1. Golden Hour Summer Preset
The Sun Chaser: The golden-hour capture that magical time just before sunset when everything is bathed in warm, golden light. This preset enhances those sun-kissed tones, making your photos glow with warmth and radiance.
Light: Increase exposure by 10% to brighten the image, reduce contrast by 5% for a softer glow, and lift shadows by 15% to bring out the warm tones.
Color: Warm up the temperature by 20% to emphasize the golden hues, increase vibrance by 15% for rich colors, and slightly desaturate (-5%) to keep it natural.
Effects: Add a light vignette (10%) to draw focus to the warmest parts of the image.
Detail: Sharpen lightly (10%) to maintain clarity while keeping the softness intact.
Purpose: To create warm, glowing summer photos that capture the beauty of the golden hour.
Best For: Sunset portraits, beach scenes, and outdoor landscapes.
Style: Warm, soft, and radiant.
2. Beach Vibes Summer Preset
The Wave Rider: This preset is your go-to for capturing the bright, breezy, and carefree spirit of summer by the sea. It enhances the blues of the ocean, the warmth of the sand, and the brightness of the sun, making your beach photos feel like a day spent with your toes in the sand.
Light: Increase exposure by 15% to brighten up the scene, boost contrast by 10% for a crisp look, and reduce highlights by 10% to keep the skies and water in check.
Color: Enhance blue tones by 20% for a vibrant ocean, warm up the temperature by 10% for sunny vibes, and increase vibrance by 20% to make the colors pop.
Effects: Add a subtle vignette (5%) to keep the focus on the beach scene.
Detail: Sharpen by 15% to ensure the details of the waves and sand are clear and crisp.
Purpose: To create bright, vibrant beach photos that capture the essence of summer by the sea.
Best For: Beach scenes, ocean views, and sunny days.
Style: Bright, breezy, and carefree.
3. Tropical Summer Preset
The Island Hopper: Want to brings out the vibrant, lush colors of a tropical paradise? Then this one for capturing the rich greens of palm trees, the bright blues of the ocean, and the bold colors of tropical flowers, making your photos feel like a postcard from paradise.
Light: Increase exposure by 10% for brightness, boost contrast by 20% to enhance the vibrancy, and lift shadows by 10% to add depth.
Color: Boost green hues by 20% for lush vegetation, increase vibrance by 25% for bold colors, and warm up the temperature by 15% to enhance the tropical warmth.
Effects: Add a slight vignette (10%) to focus on the lush scenery.
Detail: Sharpen by 20% to bring out the details in the foliage and water.
Purpose: To create vibrant, colorful photos that capture the essence of a tropical paradise.
Best For: Tropical landscapes, beach vacations, and vibrant floral photography.
Style: Bold, lush, and vibrant.
4. Bright Summer Preset
Say hello to the Sunshine Seeker: The bright effect focus on the light and brightness of a sunny day. It’s perfect for those high-contrast, sun-filled shots where you want everything to look lively and full of energy.
Light: Increase exposure by 20% to brighten the scene, boost contrast by 15% for a dynamic look, and lift shadows by 10% to enhance the brightness.
Color: Increase vibrance by 20% for vivid colors, boost saturation by 15% to intensify the hues, and warm up the temperature by 10% to add a sunny glow.
Effects: Add a light vignette (10%) to keep the focus on the brightest areas.
Detail: Sharpen by 20% to ensure the image is crisp and lively.
Purpose: To create bright, energetic summer photos full of light and life.
Best For: Outdoor portraits, summer events, and bright landscapes.
Style: Bright, dynamic, and lively.
5. Pastel Summer Preset
The Soft Breeze: Pastel preset adds a gentle, soft touch to your summer photos, with muted tones and a dreamy vibe. It’s best for those serene, peaceful moments where you want your photos to feel like a quiet summer day.
Light: Increase exposure by 15% to brighten the image, reduce contrast by 10% for softness, and lift shadows by 15% to keep the tones light and airy.
Color: Desaturate by 20% to achieve pastel tones, slightly increase vibrance (+10%) to keep some color alive, and cool down the temperature by 5% for a refreshing feel.
Effects: Add a light vignette (10%) to softly frame the scene.
Detail: Sharpen lightly (10%) to maintain clarity while keeping the softness.
Purpose: To create soft, airy summer photos with a gentle, pastel touch.
Best For: Serene landscapes, soft portraits, and peaceful beach scenes.
Style: Soft, muted, and dreamy.
6. Summer Nights Preset
The Twilight Wanderer: Summer nights show the magical moments of twilight, just as the day gives way to night. It deepens the blues and enhances the warm glow of lights, making your evening photos feel like a midsummer night’s dream.
Light: Decrease exposure by 10% for a darker tone, boost contrast by 20% to enhance the twilight mood, and lower highlights by 10% to keep the evening glow in check.
Color: Cool down the temperature by 10% to bring out the deep blues, increase vibrance by 15% for rich colors, and slightly desaturate (-10%) to keep it moody.
Effects: Add a strong vignette (20%) to focus on the evening light.
Detail: Sharpen by 25% to ensure every detail in the twilight scene is clear.
Purpose: To create moody, atmospheric photos that capture the beauty of summer nights.
Best For: Twilight landscapes, evening portraits, and night scenes.
Style: Dark, rich, and atmospheric.
7. Vibrant Summer Preset
The Festival Spirit: This preset is all about bold colors and high energy, perfect for capturing the excitement of summer festivals, markets, and outdoor events. It makes every color pop, adding a fun, lively vibe to your photos.
Light: Increase exposure by 15% for brightness, boost contrast by 20% to make the colors stand out, and lift shadows by 10% to enhance the vibrancy.
Color: Maximize vibrance (+30%) for the most vivid colors, increase saturation by 20% to make everything pop, and warm up the temperature by 10% to add a sunny feel.
Effects: Add a slight vignette (10%) to keep the focus on the bright elements.
Detail: Sharpen by 20% to ensure every color detail is crisp and clear.
Purpose: To create bold, vibrant summer photos full of energy and color.
Best For: Festivals, markets, and lively summer events.
Style: Bold, colorful, and energetic.
8. Retro Summer Preset
Meet the Nostalgic Traveler: Make your summer photos a vintage, film-inspired look, with muted tones and a warm, nostalgic feel. And capture the timeless charm of summer vacations and road trips.
Light: Increase exposure by 10% for brightness, reduce contrast by 15% for that faded look, and soften highlights by 10%.
Color: Warm up the temperature by 15% for a nostalgic feel, desaturate slightly (-15%) to achieve the retro effect, and increase vibrance by 10% to keep some color alive.
Effects: Add a light grain (15%) for that vintage texture and a subtle vignette (10%) to frame the scene.
Detail: Sharpen lightly (10%) to keep the image clear but soft.
Purpose: To create warm, nostalgic summer photos with a vintage feel.
Best For: Vacation photos, road trips, and beach scenes.
Style: Warm, faded, and nostalgic.
9. Summer Friday Preset
The Weekend Wanderer: This is all about those easygoing, carefree vibes that come with a long weekend. Now, create the relaxed, warm atmosphere of summer Fridays, whether you’re at the beach, in the city, or enjoying a backyard BBQ.
Light: Increase exposure by 10% to brighten up the scene, reduce contrast by 5% to keep it soft, and lift shadows by 15% to enhance the warmth.
Color: Warm up the temperature by 15% to add that summer glow, slightly increase vibrance (+10%) to keep the colors lively, and slightly reduce saturation (-5%) for a relaxed feel.
Effects: Add a light vignette (10%) to draw attention to the center.
Detail: Sharpen lightly (10%) to maintain clarity while keeping the softness intact.
Purpose: To create warm, relaxed summer photos with a laid-back vibe.
Best For: Beach days, city strolls, and casual outdoor scenes.
Style: Warm, soft, and easygoing.
10. Summer VSCO Preset
The Trendsetter: VSCO gives your photos that signature VSCO look, with soft, muted tones and a hint of vintage flair. Capture the trendy, cool side of summer, that makes your photos feel effortlessly stylish.
Light: Increase exposure by 10% to brighten the image, reduce contrast by 10% for a softer look, and lower highlights by 10% to keep it gentle.
Color: Slightly desaturate (-10%) to achieve that muted tone, boost vibrance by 10% to keep the colors from looking flat, and warm up the temperature by 5% to add a touch of summer warmth.
Effects: Add a light grain (15%) for that authentic VSCO texture and a slight vignette (10%) to frame the scene.
Detail: Sharpen lightly (10%) to keep the image crisp but soft.
Purpose: To create stylish, trendy summer photos with a soft, vintage feel.
Best For: Lifestyle shots, fashion photography, and urban scenes.
Style: Soft, muted, and trendy.
11. Airy Summer Preset
The Breeze Chaser: Want to feel fresh and breezy? Then this preset is for you because it cover the open, spacious feeling of summer days with plenty of sunlight and clear skies.
Light: Increase exposure by 20% to brighten the scene, reduce contrast by 10% to keep it light and soft, and lift shadows by 20% to enhance the airy feel.
Color: Desaturate slightly (-10%) to keep the tones light, increase vibrance by 10% for a gentle pop of color, and cool down the temperature slightly (-5%) for a refreshing effect.
Effects: Add a light vignette (10%) to softly frame the image.
Detail: Sharpen lightly (10%) to maintain clarity while keeping the softness.
Purpose: To create light, airy summer photos that feel fresh and breezy.
Best For: Beach scenes, outdoor portraits, and open landscapes.
Style: Light, bright, and airy.
12. Colorful Summer Preset
The colorful preset is a burst of vibrant, bold colors that bring your summer scenes to life. Boost up the energy and excitement of festivals, markets, and any scene filled with color!
Light: Increase exposure by 15% for brightness, boost contrast by 20% to make the colors stand out, and lift shadows by 10% to add depth.
Color: Maximize vibrance (+30%) for the most vivid colors, increase saturation by 20% to enhance the intensity, and warm up the temperature by 10% to highlight the summer hues.
Effects: Add a slight vignette (10%) to focus on the colorful elements.
Detail: Sharpen by 20% to ensure every detail is crisp and colorful.
Purpose: To create bold, colorful summer photos that pop with energy.
Best For: Festivals, markets, and vibrant outdoor scenes.
Style: Bold, vibrant, and lively.
13. Vivid Summer Preset
The Energy Booster: Build high-impact, bright, and lively photos that capture the full energy of summer. Transform your summer photos stand out with intense colors and dynamic contrast.
Light: Increase exposure by 15% to brighten the scene, boost contrast by 25% for a dynamic look, and lift shadows by 10% to enhance the brightness.
Color: Boost vibrance by 25% for vivid colors, increase saturation by 20% to intensify the hues, and warm up the temperature by 10% to add a sunny feel.
Effects: Add a slight vignette (10%) to keep the focus on the vivid elements.
Detail: Sharpen by 25% to ensure the image is crisp and lively.
Purpose: To create bright, vivid summer photos full of energy and color.
Best For: Outdoor activities, sports, and high-energy events.
Style: Bright, dynamic, and lively.
14. Retro Matte Summer Preset
The Vintage Voyager: Retro matte effect gives your photos a nostalgic, film-inspired look with muted tones and a soft, matte finish. It’s perfect for capturing the timeless charm of summer days with a retro twist.
Light: Increase exposure by 10% for brightness, reduce contrast by 20% for that matte look, and soften highlights by 10%.
Color: Warm up the temperature by 15% for a nostalgic feel, desaturate slightly (-15%) to achieve the retro effect, and increase vibrance by 10% to keep some color alive.
Effects: Add a light grain (15%) for that vintage texture and a slight vignette (10%) to frame the scene.
Detail: Sharpen lightly (10%) to keep the image clear but soft.
Purpose: To create warm, nostalgic summer photos with a vintage matte finish.
Best For: Vacation photos, beach scenes, and retro-themed photography.
Style: Warm, muted, and nostalgic.
15. Warm and Tropical Summer Preset
The Island Escape: Warm and Tropical preset brings out the lush, warm tones of a tropical paradise, making your photos feel like they’re straight out of a dream vacation.
Light: Increase exposure by 15% to brighten the scene, boost contrast by 15% to add depth, and lift shadows by 10% to enhance the tropical warmth.
Color: Warm up the temperature by 20% to bring out the rich tones, increase vibrance by 20% for bold colors, and slightly reduce saturation (-5%) to keep it natural.
Effects: Add a slight vignette (10%) to focus on the tropical elements.
Detail: Sharpen by 20% to ensure every detail is crisp and vibrant.
Purpose: To create warm, vibrant photos that capture the essence of a tropical paradise.
Best For: Tropical landscapes, beach vacations, and vibrant floral photography.
Style: Warm, lush, and vibrant.
Few Words
And there you have it—your ticket to effortlessly capturing that summer magic in every shot. With these presets, you can bring your summer photos to life, capturing the essence of the season in every shot. Honestly, once you start using them, you’ll wonder how you ever edited your summer photos without them!
So, play around, experiment, and watch as your photos transform from “nice” to “wow, is that straight out of a magazine?” And hey, don’t forget to share your sun-soaked masterpieces—I’d love to see how you’re capturing the best of summer! Until next time, keep chasing that summer light, and happy editing!
