and in case your wondering… the invitations (colors are a bit crazy here but you get the idea).

I decided to share this post because one of the questions I often get emailed is, “Which One Willow Preset Collection will work best on indoor photos?‘ and another “Why am I getting an orange tone on my photo after I apply a preset to my indoor photo?” (scroll down for recommendations)

All of the images in this post were edited using the Time preset from The Beautiful Things Collection (Raw- Lightroom version) tweaked slightly to suite.  The Beautiful Things Collection was designed with soft tones, so that the presets could be used with more versatility on indoor and outdoor images. When deciding upon which preset to use, I navigated through the presets in this collection using the first image. There were many presets from this collection that would suite but I found ‘Time’ to be the best fit. I applied the preset to that image, made slight adjustments to the Temp slider, Curve tone, Clarity, Fill Light, Shadows in Split Toning and also added in Noise Reduction. I then selected the remaining photos and clicked Sync.  I exported directly into PS and finished with a final sharpen, web re-size, watermark and created the diptychs for the blog post.

This was an incredibly easy edit with only slight adjustments however, there are definitely other factors that contributed to getting good results from the preset on these images.  Here are a few recommendations to take into consideration:

- One Willow Presets (specifically the current collections) are designed for Natural Light images.  The presets will look different on images taken in artificial lighting.  This has to do with a variety of factors but mainly because of the white balance and shadows. If applying the preset to an image with artificial lighting, try adjusting your temp slider to cool down the preset and add in fill light to help correct the shadows. (This is most effective on Raw presets).

- Work at getting the best in camera image possible. This is the most important factor! Presets work best on properly exposed images. One Willow Presets do not adjust your exposure. If an adjustment is needed, it is best to correct the exposure first, then apply the preset. In camera is especially important if you are shooting Jpg, since the flexibility of adjusting your exposure is much less during the post processing.

- White Balance. The flexibility of adjusting the White Balance of a Raw image is why I love Raw so (although I do still try to get the best in camera possible). One Willow Presets do contain WB adjustments but often this will need further tweaking to suite the image (especially on indoor photos).  This slight adjustment can make a HUGE difference on the way a preset looks on an image and is often the cause of the orange/red cast. Also, if you are navigating the presets to find the best option and have already adjusted your WB, be sure to create a snapshot of the image prior to navigating so you can refer back to the original adjusted image.  Additionally, if shooting Jpg, it is very important to get the best WB possible in camera because your range of flexibility for adjusting WB it is much less in post processing than it would be with a Raw image.

- Split Toning. If you are still noticing over toning of your image after making an adjustment to the WB, check the split toning. Often, the highlights and shadows are toned in a preset through the use of split toning.  You can decrease the saturation of these by adjusting the saturation sliders and the balance.  This usually helps with indoor photos because they contain a lot of shadows and the shadow toning is more noticeable. 

The Below image is before the Time Preset was applied.  (camera settings below image)

Lens:  35mm 1.4

Format: Raw

ISO: 640

Aperture: f/2.2

Shutter: 1/160 sec

Hope this helps you apply your presets to indoor natural light photos!  ♥
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I captured this photo last fall during a super fun family session… I have four boys of my own so I can totally appreciate the energy popping out of this photo!

Be sure to stop by I Heart Faces this week to enter your family fun photo or to browse all of the fabulous enteries!

Edited using the One Willow Lightroom Preset, Licorice from The Retro Candy Collection (RAW).  Before/After posted below.

I wanted to share something that is on my heart, something that was only made possible by all of you.  Because I believe in giving back when able, I started this business with the decision that a portion of One Willow Preset profit would be given back to a non-profit organization in need. The care of Orphans is so incredibly dear to me and as an adoptive mom something that constantly tugs at my heart.  With that, I chose An Orphans Wish as the organization to contribute to.  This organization is an all volunteer foundation, who’s goal is to provide a loving environment where orphaned children are the top priority.  You can read more about what they do HERE.

Throughout this year it has been such a blessing to watch all of the children At An Orphans Wish receive the love and care that allows them to blossom into healthy children that experience the joys of childhood.  All with the hopes that  someday they may be able to experience the opportunity of receiving that love and nurturing from a forever family.  My heart sang a bit with each of the updates received or that were posted about the children One Willow has helped to sponsor (along with other sponsors).  Violet, has graduated from the program and is now in foster care.  Paul, is doing wonderfully after receiving the medical care to help correct his need and He is totally loving his new shoes.  Hannah, an adorable little one, is developing wonderfully and getting ready to crawl. Finally, John, is also receiving the medical care he needs and is very doing well. In addition to sponsorship of these sweet little ones, One Willow has been able to help provide specific gifts such as Winter Coats to the children at An Orphans Wish.

It is an incredibly rewarding feeling, to know that two things I am so very passionate about, Orphan Care and Photography, can give back to one another so wonderfully. From the bottom of my heart thank you for helping to make this possible.

To learn more about An Orphans Wish please visit their site: An Orphans Wish or follow along on the Facebook page.

Wishing you all an upcoming year full of Blessings and a New Year overflowing with joy and peace.

I am really looking forward to the New Year… I have much anticipated for One Willow in 2012! ♥  See you then!

Jessi is also the creative soul and uber-talented photographer behind Everyday Studios.  You can frequently find her fun creative work as the homepage and advertisement images for Shutterfly.

Photos from this session were edited in Lightroom using the RAW One Willow preset Serenity from The Beautiful Things Collection and finished in Photoshop as a JPG, using the Summer Sun Action from Florabella Collection’s Classic Workflow Actions.

above photo credit: Angie Arthur Photography

 May your Holidays be filled with Peace, Love and Joy. ♥