(First off credit to @sbrutskiy for the cover image in this blog! Just one of our many talented Narrative users).

You’ve just wrapped an incredible shoot, maybe a 10-hour wedding, a golden-hour family session, or a fast-paced commercial job with zero margin for error. Now you’re staring at hundreds (or thousands) of RAW files and one huge question:

What editing look will bring this story to life?

Let’s be real: your editing look isn’t just “a vibe.”
It’s your brand. Your emotional tone. The reason a client books you over someone else.

And yet... most photographers are still reinventing the wheel in Lightroom for every gallery.

Here’s the thing: when you intentionally choose an AI Preset and build a workflow around it, you gain consistency, speed, and creative control. With Narrative’s AI Presets, you can apply your signature look in minutes, not hours, and finally create a workflow that supports your business instead of draining it.

Today, we’re breaking down the essential editing looks used by working photographers and how Narrative’s built-in AI Presets make it effortless to apply them across every shoot.

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The Four Essential Editing Looks (Using Narrative’s AI Presets)

1. Modern True Tone - Your Clean, Timeless All-Rounder

Keywords: natural, balanced, versatile, true-to-life
Best for: weddings, families, commercial, high-volume studios

Modern True Tone is Narrative’s answer to a look that "just works" across lighting conditions, skin tones, and locations. Expect rich yet realistic colors, crisp whites, and clean depth without over-stylizing.

Why photographers love it:

• Works beautifully on mixed-light wedding days

• Avoids trendiness while still feeling modern

• Perfect for photographers who shoot a variety of gigs

• Minimal corrections needed after import

Use it when:
You need a consistent, professional look that keeps the focus on storytelling, not heavy color grading.

Meta alt text suggestion: “Modern True Tone AI Preset example showcasing natural, balanced colors.”

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2. Light & Bright - Airy, Film-Inspired, Client Favorite

Keywords: nostalgic, glowing, airy, soft warmth
Best for: families, lifestyle, maternity, portraits, bright weddings

Light & Bright takes inspiration from soft film stocks. Think luminous highlights, clean whites, warm delicate skin tones, and a sense of joy baked into the palette.

Why photographers love it:

• Universally flattering skin tones

• A clean aesthetic clients instantly understand

• Perfect for golden-hour portraits and soft-lit indoor sessions

• A timeless, nostalgic feel without being too stylized

Use it when:
Your work leans emotional, intimate, and lifestyle-driven, and you want clients to feel something the second they see their gallery.

Meta alt text suggestion: “Light & Bright AI Preset example with airy highlights and warm skin tones.”

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3. Soft & Creamy - Warm, Elegant, Romantic

Keywords: soft contrast, lifted shadows, creamy warmth
Best for: weddings, engagements, luxury portraiture

Soft & Creamy smooths contrast, warms tones, and creates a high-end, editorial finish while maintaining detail. It’s warm without being orange, soft without being flat, and elegant without being overly stylized.

Why photographers love it:

• Gorgeous on wedding receptions and indoor ambient light

• Elevates luxury and high-end client galleries

• Smooth tonal roll-off perfect for emotional storytelling

• Brings consistency to tough mixed-light environments

Use it when:
Your brand leans romantic, cinematic, and refined, and you want galleries that feel expensive.

Meta alt text suggestion: “Soft & Creamy AI Preset example with warm tones and soft contrast.”

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4. Artist AI Presets - Signature Looks That Stand Out

Featured example: Iconic Color by Miles Witt Boyer
Keywords: filmic, stylized, cinematic, distinctive
Best for: portfolio-defining wedding or editorial work

Artist AI Presets on Narrative, like Iconic Color, are the secret weapon for photographers who want a recognizable signature look. These presets push color and contrast in intentional ways that create identity-level consistency.

Why photographers love them:

• Your work becomes instantly identifiable

• Adds filmic depth and emotion

• Perfect for destination weddings and editorial storytelling

• Gives you a standout look without manual complexity

Use it when:
You want to differentiate yourself in a saturated market, refine your visual identity, or elevate the creative impact of your galleries.

Meta alt text suggestion: “Iconic Color AI Preset example with cinematic tones.”

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How to Choose the Right AI Preset for Your Brand

Here’s the truth: your editing look should support your business, not sabotage your workflow.
Here’s a simple framework to guide your choice:

1. Match it to your brand personality

• Light and joyful → Light & Bright

• Elegant and luxurious → Soft & Creamy

• Modern and versatile → Modern True Tone

• Cinematic and artistic → Artist AI Presets

2. Match it to your shooting volume

• High-volume weddings or events → Modern True Tone

• Premium weddings or portraits → Soft & Creamy

• Lifestyle or family → Light & Bright

• Editorial or destination → Artist AI Presets

3. Match it to your typical lighting

• Mixed light → Modern True Tone

• High-key light → Light & Bright

• Warm ambient or reception → Soft & Creamy

• Moody or dramatic → Iconic Color or Artist AI Presets

4. Test it on 2 to 3 galleries

If the AI Preset works across tough lighting situations and produces consistent client reactions, you’ve found your match.

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Why Narrative Makes AI Presets Easy to Use

Forget spending hours in Lightroom trying to rebuild the same look from scratch. Narrative lets you:

• Cull hundreds or thousands of images in minutes with AI-powered image selection

• Apply your chosen AI Preset automatically during the Ship workflow

• Fine-tune inside Lightroom without losing creative control

• Build consistency at scale across weddings, seasons, lighting conditions, and second shooters

• Deliver galleries faster, with more confidence, and less burnout

This isn’t “set it and forget it” automation.
This is AI assisting you, not replacing you.

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Final Thoughts

It’s not about chasing trends, it’s about choosing the look that supports your creative vision and helps you deliver galleries your clients love on a timeline that grows your business, not your burnout.

Pick your AI Preset, build it into your workflow, and let Narrative handle the heavy lifting.

Try Narrative for free at https://narrative.so/

Apply one of the AI Presets above to your latest gallery and feel the difference in minutes, not hours.