Why You Don’t Need 500 Presets
We’ve all seen it — “500+ Lightroom Presets for only $12!” Sounds like the deal of a lifetime, right? Hundreds of styles at your fingertips, instant photo magic… except, not really.
Here’s the truth: you don’t need 500 presets. In fact, you probably don’t even need 50. What you actually need is a handful of quality presets that work consistently and help you create the look you love.
The Problem with Mega Bundles
Those giant bundles are usually just a mix of recycled or slightly tweaked edits that get repackaged over and over. You’ll scroll through them and find:
  • Repetition – many are duplicates with tiny changes.
  • Inconsistency – they don’t flow together, so your edits feel all over the place.
  • Overwhelm – who has time to test 500 different options just to find “the one”?
  • Disappointment – most don’t look good without heavy tweaking, which defeats the whole purpose.
At the end of the day, those bundles aren’t really helping you edit better. They’re just clutter.
What Actually Works
Instead of hundreds of random styles, focus on 1–10 high-quality presets. Here’s why:
  • Consistency – your photos will feel like yours, not a guessing game every time.
  • Cohesion – a curated set keeps your gallery and feed looking intentional.
  • Ease – you spend less time editing and more time creating.
  • Style alignment – good presets reflect a mood or look (like earthy, moody, bright, or airy) instead of trying to be everything at once.
How to Spot Quality Presets
When you’re shopping, look for:
  • Before & afters on real photos, not just stock images.
  • A clear, cohesive vibe across the set.
  • Proof that the creator actually uses their presets.
  • Bonus: tutorials, guides, or support that help you get the most out of them.
Quality Over Quantity
Presets are meant to make your editing life easier, not more complicated. A small, intentional set is worth way more than a giant folder of clutter.
That’s exactly why I believe in creating (and using) presets that are tested, intentional, and actually do what they’re supposed to: enhance your photos without stripping them of personality.
So next time you see that $12 mega bundle? Save your money. You deserve better than 500 “meh” options.