Clarity Vs. Contrast In this post, we will look at the differences between clarity and contrast, to help you know which one to use and when.  This post uses Adobe Camera Raw, but the same principles apply in both Lig...

What are Circular Polarizing Filters (CPL)? Circular Polarizing Filters (or CPL for short) are one of those items that a lot of photographers have in their bags, but just don’t understand why they have them, what the...

How to Create a Photo Book in Lightroom Being a person who doesn’t like clutter, the idea of individually printing the thousand+ photographs I take every year isn’t even an option in my head.  Not because I don’t val...

How to Use a Reverse Adapter Ring for Macro Photography Freelensing is a fun and popular photography technique that allows you to create dreamy macro images by taking your 50mm lens off of your camera, flipping it ar...

Editing Boudoir Photos Editing beautiful boudoir photography images is different than almost any other editing you will do in Lightroom and Photoshop.  I always use my favorite Pretty Presets & Actions that, but ...

Tax Deductions for Photographers Most people who operate their own business (photography or otherwise) ask the same question throughout the year: “Can I legitimately write this off this expense on my tax return?”  Th...

Using a Layer Mask in Photoshop When I first dove into the magical world of Photoshop, I was very intimidated.  In fact, I became overwhelmed when I started exploring all of the buttons and options.  For this reason,...

Introduction to Tripod Tuesday We're so excited to offer Tripod Tuesday in our Pretty Presets Facebook community.  Grab your camera, tripod and learn how easy it is to take a self portrait today!  We want to encourag...

Why Should I Use Lightroom Brushes? We all love that perfect one click edit.  You know the one.  It’s already perfectly exposed, perfectly composed and one simple click on your preset of choice transforms it into you...

FACELESS CHALLENGE WINNERS ANNOUNCED Thank you so much for sharing these amazing images in our Pretty Presets and Pretty Actions Facebook groups.  We'd love for you to come join us if you're not in there already, so...

What Digital Camera Should I Buy? A new year means a few new things to a photographer; new clients, new bookings, and most importantly the chance to review the tools with which we hone our craft to evaluate whether ...

Congratulations to our Winter 2017 Scholarship Winner! During the past 6 months, Pretty Presets for Lightroom has received many essays written by current and prospective college students from around the U.S and Cana...

Lightroom Tips to Enhance Fall and Winter Photos There's a different aesthetic to every season.  In the Winter, we feel a cool, frosty atmosphere that brings cool blues, creams, and touches of rich reds and greens.  ...

Minimalist Photography Our lives have become so complicated, so full of chaos, with so many demands placed upon us.  Is it any wonder minimalism has become a full blown movement? There are tiny houses for minimalist ...

How to Choose a Personal Photography Project The bringing in of the New Year often means more to photographers than just setting goals of exercising more and eating a few less cookies, for many of us, this time of ye...

In my mind, Fall only is made of days where the temperature peaks at 68 degrees, the sky is a lovely shade of blue, and the trees look like they belong on the board of Candy Land. Do you know what I forget? The days...

Every day, I wake up with me feeling like sleep ended a few days too soon followed by breakfast, coffee, reheating the coffee,  “Tell daddy you love him!”, waffles on the floor, the weatherman yelling at me, time to ...

I’ve always been someone that likes to try new art projects.  Simple or elaborate, I really don’t care, it’s usually the process alone that makes me get all the happy feels.  I’ve taken pottery classes and made wonky...

  I don’t have much of a sweet tooth.  I rarely order dessert at restaurants, we don’t keep sweets in the house, and more often than not I’d prefer an extra scoop of macaroni and cheese to a plate of cookies.  But som...

Almost a year ago, I was having a rough time with momming.  One kid was sick, then the other, then both.  My husband was traveling more for work, so I was stuck on this strange battlefield alone.  And, possibly even...