FAQs

ABOUT ONE WILLOW PRESETS AND THE DESIGNER

In addition to being a photographer and preset designer, Jessica is wife to a wonderful man and blessed mom to a busy brood of five. She began designing presets a few years ago, when she was inspired by the potential of speeding her editing by utilizing Lightroom as part of her workflow. Soon after, she began getting inquiries about her photo editing, it was then when she knew she wanted to share her passion with others by creating One Willow Presets.

Since then One Willow Presets has grown from one Collection to five Collections with each Preset Collection containing something unique to add to your editing workflow. Jessica is also pleased to offer the presets in both, RAW and JPG formats, so that the presets are suitable for your specific shooting format(s).

One Willow Lightroom Presets have been featured on various photography sites and in various workshops including the popular photography site, I Heart Faces. Most recently, Jessica’s One Willow presets were featured in the December 2011 issue of Popular Photography Magazine.

Thank you for stopping by… and please keep scrolling down this page to learn more about One Willow Presets.

WHAT ARE PRESETS?

Presets are a saved file of settings. They are installed into Lightroom and ACR to create different effects and various processed looks on a photo. One Willow Presets are available for RAW, ACR and JPG files processed in Lightroom and ACR. Presets are not compatible for installation in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A RAW AND A JPG PRESET?

RAW presets are designed specifically for RAW files and JPG presets are designed specifically for JPG files. They are sold separately. It is possible to apply a RAW preset to JPG file, however you will have to adjust the preset accordingly to suite the JPG file, same is true of applying a JPG preset to a RAW file. Most photographers prefer to save time and have minimal adjustments when editing, which is why I recommend purchasing the version that you shoot in the most. If you shoot both RAW and JPG, bundle sets are available at a discounted rate. **There may be a variance between the RAW and JPG preset due to the file formats processing differently.**

WHAT PROGRAMS ARE ONE WILLOW PRESETS COMPATIBLE WITH?

One Willow Presets install into Lightroom and ACR (presets for Lightroom and ACR sold separately). The presets will not install into Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. Additionally, Adobe may release program updates or new program versions that change the settings of the presets. While I do my best to keep the presets compatible with the updates, these changes are not in our control.

WHAT PRESET VERSION ARE THE BEFORE/AFTER GALLERIES CREATED WITH?

The Before/After Preset Collection galleries are created with RAW files and RAW presets. However, the same photos are tested (in JPG version with JPG presets) to insure that the galleries are representing the JPG presets as well. Note: JPG presets will vary slightly from RAW presets due to the file formats processing differently.

DO ONE WILLOW PRESETS WORK BEST ON OUTDOOR OR INDOOR PHOTOS?

One Willow Presets work best with natural light photography. Most often they are used on outdoor photos but can be quite lovely on indoor photos that are well lit with natural light. The black and white collection is the most versatile on all lighting types.

HOW WILL I RECEIVE MY PRESETS ONCE I PLACE MY ORDER?

Once your purchase has been completed through PayPal, you will be directed and emailed an instant download link. The download link will expire within 72 hours for security purposes, please be sure to download your presets within that time. It is also recommended that after downloading you make a copy of the preset folder and place it in your back-up location(s).

ARE ONE WILLOW PRESETS ADJUSTABLE?

Yes, all of One Willow Presets are fully adjustable. Once you apply the preset to your photo you can make whatever adjustments you need to suite your photo.

WHAT ARE POSTS AND TONES?

The post and tones are finishing presets that you can use after you have applied the preset. A standard workflow with presets and posts might go like this: Apply the Fairy Tale preset > apply the posts > Clarify-Soft Burn. You will see different effects from the different posts, some subtle and some a bit more dramatic. They are meant to give you a little more control over your preset, so you can lighten or darken, define, increase shadows, defog, etc. The most important thing to remember about the posts is that they need to be applied after the actual preset. The tones work in the same manner, you will apply those after the presets. You can also use the posts and tones alone, just to give an image a little boost, and you can use more than one— just keep clicking until you get the ‘look’ you love.

DO YOU OFFER REFUNDS ON YOUR PRODUCTS?

One Willow Presets have been carefully designed and tested and I believe you will be quite pleased with them. However, please be aware that due to the digital nature of these products no refunds will be given. I will always be happy to work with you on any problems you may experience. From time to time a program update will be released by adobe and it will change setting presets or how the presets load. This is out of my control, so all sales are final. Also, please be aware of the version you are purchasing and downloading. Many steps have been taken to insure that the version type is clear for purchasing. Once a file has been downloaded no exchanges or refunds will be given. It is highly recommended that you create a back up copy of your presets.

ZIP FILES

Once purchased, Your New One Willow Preset Collection will download to you compressed in a zip file. Please have working knowledge of how your computer handles and unzips downloaded zip files before purchasing. If you experience trouble with unzipping a downloaded file please refer to your desired search engine to look for ‘unzipping files’ tutorials per your specific computer type and operating system.

HOW DO I INSTALL THE PRESETS IN LIGHTROOM?

To watch a video tutorial for installing One Willow Presets please click HERE. Written instructions are posted below and included in your download.

Instructions for Mac:

Download the .lrtemplate files in the designated folder on your computer. Your presets will arrive compressed into a zip file so you will need to unzip them. The presets will not install as a zip file.
Once your file is unzipped. Place the presets into the folder of your choice (I have a folder specifically for presets created). This is also a good time create a back-up copy your presets and place them away for safe keeping.
Open Lightroom, press the tab for the Develop Module.
On your Lightroom Tool Bar (located at the very top) click Lightroom. A drop down menu will appear > click ‘Preferences’.
You should now see your Preference panel. Click on the preset tab and locate the ‘Show Lightroom Presets Folder’ and click.
Next your Adobe Folders Panel will appear. Follow this path: Double click on the Lightroom Folder > Double Click on the Develop Presets Folder. You should now be looking at all of your current presets folders that are already installed in Lightroom.
Open Finder and navigate to the folder you placed your presets in. Copy the preset folder (Command C). Then navigate back to the Develop Presets Folder (should already by open) and Paste your preset folder here. Note: If you are installing any of the combination folders i.e; The Triple Collection, you will need to copy/paste each individual collection folder individually to keep your presets organized by collection).
Your presets should now be loaded and seen in your preset drop down panel (left side of the Develop Module screen). If you do not see them automatically, try restarting Lightroom.

Instructions for PC:

Download the .lrtemplate files in the designated folder on your computer. Your presets will arrive compressed into a zip file so you will need to unzip them. The presets will not install as a zip file. Note: The presets are created on a MAC so once you unzip you may see an extra folder titled MAC_OSX. This folder is empty, please ignore. Also if you encounter an encryption error when the zip file is unpacking, click yes to save.
Once your file is unzipped. Place the presets into the folder of your choice (I have a folder specifically for presets created). This is also a good time create a back-up copy your presets and place them away for safe keeping.
Open Lightroom, press the tab for the Develop Module.
On your Lightroom Tool Bar (located at the very top) click ‘Edit’. A drop down menu will appear > click ‘Preferences’.
You should now see your Preference panel. Click the preset tab and locate the ‘Show Lightroom Presets Folder’ and click.
Next your Adobe Folders Panel will appear. Follow this path: Double click on the Lightroom Folder > Double Click on the Develop Presets Folder. You should now be looking at all of your current presets folders that are already installed in Lightroom.
Open the folder you placed your presets in. Copy the preset folder. Then navigate back to the Develop Presets Folder (should already by open) and Paste your preset folder here. You can also click and drag into the develop preset folder. Note: If you are installing any of the combination preset folders i.e; The Triple Collection, you will need to copy/paste each individual collection folder individually to keep your presets organized by collection).
Your presets should now be loaded and seen in your preset drop down panel (left side of the Develop Module screen). If you do not see them automatically, try restarting Lightroom.

Additional Lightroom Instructions:
For Mac:
Download the .lrtemplate files in the designated folder on your computer (you will need to unzip the folder before you can install the presets). Open Lightroom, press the develop tab. On the left hand side of your preview screen- click on your preset tab/arrow. This will drop down the preset user area. Control-click in the user preset area (or named preset folder if you have one set up; for example One Willow Presets), then choose import. Locate the .lrtemplate file (presets) in the folder you saved them in. From here there are two ways you can load the preset; either double click it and it will automatically load or select the preset(s) and press import. Both ways the file should automatically insert into your preset list.
For PC:
Download the .lrtemplate files in the designated folder (you will need to unzip it before you can install the presets). On a PC you may encounter an ‘encryption’ prompt, say yes to save. On the left hand side of your preview screen- click on your preset tab/arrow. This will drop down the preset user area Right Click in the user preset area (or named preset folder if you have one set up; for example One Willow Presets), then choose import. Locate the .lrtemplate file (presets) in the folder you saved them in. Select the preset(s) and press import. The preset(s) should automatically insert into your preset list.

HOW DO I INSTALL THE PRESETS IN ACR?

**PLEASE REMEMBER ALL COMPUTERS ARE DIFFERENT AND ACR PRESETS MAY INSTALL DIFFERENTLY WITH VARIOUS PROGRAMS AND VERSIONS. IT IS BEST THAT YOU HAVE WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF YOUR SPECIFIC ACR PROGRAM BEFORE PURCHASING PRESETS.**

Instructions for MAC:

Download the zip file. Unzip the folder and save it to a location of your choice on your computer (I have a specific folder set up for ACR presets). Next, open the One Willow Preset folder and select all of the .xmp files (command A), then hit (command C) to copy them all. Now open your finder from here you will need to locate your ACR setting folder:
Finder > Library > Application Support > Adobe- Camera Raw > Settings
Once you are in your settings folder you will need to paste the .xmp files (presets) directly into your settings folder by hitting (command V). Your presets should be loaded into the presets sections of your ACR. Open ACR to double check that they are there.*NOTE* The presets cannot be in subfolders in the Setting area. If they are in subfolders they will not show up in your preset area of ACR. The actual .xmp file must be placed directly into the settings folder.

**For older versions below ACR 5.6 you may be able to follow these directions for install:

Instructions for MAC:

Unzip your file. Place your .xmp (adobe camera raw) files here (individually-not in a subfolder):
your home\library\application support\adobe\camera raw\settings
After your .xmp file is copied to the camera raw setting’s folder, load the presets in ACR. To do this open up ACR. Next look at the top right side of your camera raw window, under the histogram. You will see a small box for presets. On my computer it is the last button in a series of eight options. You will see a preset bar appear. At the end of the bar you will see a small arrow, click on it and a pull down menu will appear. Once you see the drop down menu, scroll down to ‘load settings’. Click ‘load settings’ and your finder box will appear. Locate the settings folder containing the .xmp files and select each .xmp file individually and click “load”. You will have to repeat this step for each preset. Once you have selected and loaded all of your files your ACR presets are ready to use.

Instructions for PC:

Unzip your file. Place your .xmp (adobe camera raw) files here (individually-not in a subfolder):
c:/documents and settings\compac administrator\application data\adobe\camera raw\settings (Windows 7 users use this path: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\CameraRaw\Settings)
Once your .xmp files are placed in the camera raw setting’s folder, you can begin to load the presets in ACR. To do this open up ACR. Next look at the top right side of your camera raw window, under the histogram. You will see a small box for presets. On my computer it is the last button in a series of eight options. You will see a preset bar appear. At the end of the bar you will see a small arrow, click on it and a pull down menu will appear. Once you see the drop down menu, scroll down to ‘load settings’. Click ‘load settings’ and your finder box will appear. Locate your settings folder containing the .xmp files and select each .xmp file individually and click “load”. You will have to repeat this step for each preset. Once you have selected and loaded all of your files your ACR presets are ready to use.

TIPS ON HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR PRESETS

If your image looks ‘over-toned’ by a preset, begin by checking your exposure and white balance temp. Often a little exposure increase will bring the tones into place. However, sometimes further tweaking is needed and usually it involves the white balance temp or the light and shadows. Don’t be afraid to adjust your temp, tone curve, brightness and contrast. All of these play a huge role in the look of the preset on your image.
Utilize your adjustment brush. Occasionally, the majority of the image will look fabulous with the Preset but an area on the image may be too dark or too light. Use your adjustment brush to make an isolated adjustment to that specific area. For example, if your eyes seem to dark because of the way the preset deepened the shadows. Grab your adjustment brush, choose your desired brush setting (exposure, contrast, clarity, etc.) then adjust your brush accordingly. Paint onto the specific area you want to adjust.
One preset will not work for every image. You will always have a few favorites, but I strongly encourage you to try new ones too. You can use your Navigation panel image window (located on the upper left side of your screen in the develop module) to scroll through the presets. Place your cursor over each preset and get a ‘preview’ in the Navigation window of what the preset will look like on your image. I use this ALL the time, it’s a fabulous feature.
Lastly, have fun! One Willow Presets are fully adjustable and let you be in control of your photo!