Is Carly & Ellie's Instagram Preset Package worth it if you’re shopping in Photography?
If your Instagram feed looks like a patchwork of overexposed highlights and muddy shadows, the problem is rarely your camera. It’s the ten minutes you spend fiddling with sliders on every single post, trying to hit a vibe that feels consistent but never quite sticks. Carly & Ellie’s Instagram Preset Package exists to collapse that trial-and-error phase into a single tap. These are the exact mobile Lightroom presets the sellers use to edit their own grid, packaged so you can grab the same colorful pop without guessing which saturation level makes your skin tone look natural.
You don’t need a Lightroom subscription to use these, which keeps the barrier to entry low. You just need the free Lightroom app and a basic familiarity with where the “presets” tab lives. For $15, you’re buying a shortcut to a specific aesthetic: versatile, bright, and ready to drop onto your phone’s camera roll. (Carly & Ellie’s Instagram Preset Package)
Quick answer
| Best for | Mobile photographers who want a consistent, colorful Instagram feed without buying a Lightroom subscription. |
| Skip if | You are new to Lightroom, want a “one-click” fix with zero manual tweaking, or prefer desktop-only workflows. |
| Price | $15 |
| Format | 2 mobile Lightroom presets (DNG files) |
| One-line take | A tight, affordable entry point for mobile editors who want a specific, vibrant look. |
What you’re actually buying
At first glance, “two presets” might sound like a small deal for $15. But the value here isn’t in the quantity; it’s in the curation. You are getting the exact tools that Carly and Ellie use to maintain their own Instagram presence. These aren’t generic, mass-produced filters that flatten your image into a beige blur. Instead, they are described as “very versatile” and designed to add a “colorful pop,” which suggests they handle contrast and saturation in a way that keeps your photos looking lively rather than washed out. (Carly & Ellie’s Instagram Preset Package)
The deliverables are two DNG files, which is the standard format for importing custom presets into the mobile Lightroom app. This format is robust and widely supported, meaning you aren’t locked into a proprietary plugin or a web-based editor. You download the files, import them into your phone, and they sit right there in your user presets library, ready to apply to any photo in your camera roll. (Carly & Ellie’s Instagram Preset Package)
Because these are mobile-first, the workflow is designed for speed. You snap a photo, open Lightroom, tap the preset, and adjust. The sellers note that every preset will need some adjustment because “no two people shoot the same pictures,” but the starting point is significantly closer to the finish line than starting from scratch. For a solo creator or small business owner posting daily, that time savings compounds quickly. You’re not just buying a filter; you’re buying a consistent visual identity that you can maintain while on the go. (Carly & Ellie’s Instagram Preset Package)
Why it’s on our radar
This package stands out because it solves a very specific, low-friction problem: mobile editing consistency. Many preset packs are bloated with 50+ options that confuse the user, or they require a desktop Lightroom subscription that costs $10+ a month. Carly & Ellie’s Instagram Preset Package cuts through that noise with a focused, two-preset approach that works entirely on your phone.
The fact that these are the sellers’ own daily drivers adds a layer of trust. You aren’t guessing if the aesthetic will hold up under real-world lighting conditions; you’re borrowing a proven workflow. The price point of $15 is low enough to be a low-risk experiment for anyone feeling stuck in their current editing routine, yet high enough to signal that this is a curated product rather than a free template dump. It’s a practical tool for people who want their feed to look intentional without spending hours learning color theory. (Carly & Ellie’s Instagram Preset Package)
What actually matters
Before you hit buy, keep these three practical checks in mind to ensure the presets will work for your specific content: (Carly & Ellie’s Instagram Preset Package)
- Basic Lightroom Literacy: The listing explicitly states you should have a “basic understanding of the Lightroom app and its settings.” If you have never opened the app, the installation process (downloading DNG files and importing them) might feel like a hurdle. If you already use Lightroom mobile, this is a non-issue. (Carly & Ellie’s Instagram Preset Package)
- Adjustment is Expected: These are starting points, not magic wands. The sellers emphasize that you will need to tweak exposure, temperature, or clarity to match your specific photo. If you are looking for a “one-tap” solution that requires zero further input, this might not be the right fit. (Carly & Ellie’s Instagram Preset Package)
- Mobile-Only Workflow: These are mobile presets. If you edit on a desktop using Lightroom Classic or Camera Raw, this package is not designed for that environment. Stick to your phone or tablet for the best experience. (Carly & Ellie’s Instagram Preset Package)
Mid-check
If you’re ready to streamline your mobile editing and want a consistent, vibrant look for your Instagram, check the current availability and download options. (Carly & Ellie’s Instagram Preset Package)
FAQ
Do I need a Lightroom subscription to use these presets? No. The listing confirms that no Lightroom subscription is needed. You only need the free Lightroom mobile app to import and apply the presets. (Carly & Ellie’s Instagram Preset Package)
How do I install the presets on my phone? You will download two DNG files from your purchase. These need to be saved to your phone’s camera library (they may appear as grey images, which is normal). Then, open the Lightroom app, import those grey images, and use the “Create Preset” option to save them to your user presets. If the download is tricky on mobile, you can download to a computer and AirDrop or email the files to your phone. (Carly & Ellie’s Instagram Preset Package)
Are these presets for desktop or mobile? These are specifically designed for the mobile Lightroom app. They are intended for on-the-go editing directly from your phone’s camera roll. (Carly & Ellie’s Instagram Preset Package)
Bottom line
If your Instagram feed feels disjointed and you’re tired of spending 15 minutes per photo trying to match colors, Carly & Ellie’s Instagram Preset Package is a smart, low-commitment upgrade. It gives you a proven, vibrant aesthetic that works on your phone without a subscription. For $15, you’re buying consistency and speed—two things every busy creator needs.