If you love editing photos until they look aesthetic for Instagram or TikTok, guess what? You can actually turn that hobby into money. In 2025, having a good photo feed is still a big deal, and not everyone knows how to edit like a pro. That’s where Lightroom presets come in.
Basically, a preset is like a “one-click filter” that makes photos look clean, moody, bright, or vintage—depending on the style. And here’s the fun part: you can create your own presets, sell them online, and get paid by people who want that same vibe for their photos.
What’s a Lightroom Preset?
A preset is a saved set of edits (like brightness, contrast, color tones, etc.) in Adobe Lightroom. Instead of editing a photo from scratch, you just apply the preset and—boom—the photo instantly looks aesthetic.
Think of it as selling your own photo filter packs.
Why It’s a Great Side Hustle in 2025
- Zero cost → just your phone, Lightroom app, and creativity.
- Huge demand → influencers, small businesses, and even regular teens want aesthetic feeds.
- Easy to scale → once you make a preset, you can sell it again and again.
- Digital product → no shipping or stock needed.
- Perfect for teens → you’re already editing your own pics anyway.
Types of Presets That Sell Well
- Bright & Clean → perfect for lifestyle and studygram content.
- Moody & Dark → aesthetic café or night vibes.
- Vintage/Film Look → for retro-style feeds.
- Warm & Cozy → good for food and indoor shots.
- Travel Vibes → sunsets, beaches, and adventure photos.
Skills You Need
- Basic photo editing in Lightroom (mobile version is free).
- A good eye for colors and aesthetics.
- Creativity to make presets that stand out.
- Basic Canva skills (to design the preview images).
How to Get Started
- Experiment with edits → play around in Lightroom until you find a cool look.
- Save as presets → turn your edit into a one-click preset.
- Bundle them → create packs like “5 Aesthetic Presets for Instagram.”
- Set up shop → sell on Gumroad, Etsy, or even Instagram/TikTok.
- Promote → make before-and-after videos to show how amazing your presets look.
Potential Earnings
Say you sell one preset pack for $5:
- 20 buyers = $100.
- 100 buyers = $500.
And remember—it’s digital, so you can sell the same file unlimited times without extra work.
Why Teens Will Love This Hustle
- Super fun → feels like editing for your own feed, but people actually pay you.
- Flexible → create and sell presets whenever you want.
- Passive income → once uploaded, they keep selling.
- Portfolio booster → great for future creative jobs.
💡 Bottom line: Selling Lightroom presets is a chill but profitable side hustle for teens in 2025. If you’ve got an eye for making photos look aesthetic, why not turn that skill into extra cash? Imagine someone on the other side of the world using your preset for their Instagram feed—that’s pretty awesome. 🚀
