California 02 Warm Fade | Lifestyle Film Preset for Lightroom Mobile & Desktop

C2 is for lifestyle and portrait photographers who want the California Archive's warmth applied specifically to the portrait and lifestyle register.

For content creators who shoot in warm natural light — window light, outdoor afternoon, golden hour — and want a preset that flatters both people and environments.

For photographers who have found C1 slightly too neutral and want the next step toward warmth without committing to the boldness of C5 or C7.

The fade is authentic, not obvious. C2's slight fade quality reads as a characteristic of the photography rather than an editing choice. Viewers will describe photos as warm and beautiful rather than faded.

It flatters skin specifically. The golden midtone emphasis means skin tones in warm light are particularly well-served. Orange Luminance is elevated and Orange Hue shifted toward golden rather than vivid.

It pairs naturally with lifestyle content. The soft contrast and warm quality of C2 aligns with the visual language of lifestyle photography across Instagram, editorial, and brand content.

1 × C2 Warm Fade DNG file — for Lightroom Mobile
1 × C2 Warm Fade XMP file — for Lightroom Classic
Installation guide
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This preset captures the deep, atmospheric aesthetic and refined cool tones similar to the iconic C2 chromatic filters. It’s the perfect professional alternative for those wanting a sophisticated, vibrant film look that excels in both natural light and overcast conditions on desktop and mobile.

Step 1: White balance at 5,200-5,500K for daylight. The fade quality of C2 reads most naturally on a warm-neutral foundation.

Step 2: Apply C2 Warm Fade.

Step 3: Adjust Exposure per photo. Check skin tones — if skin reads warm rather than orange, the white balance is correct.

On phone photos: apply at 80% strength. Reduce Orange Saturation by -3 to -5 if skin goes warm-orange.

What is the difference between C2 and C5 Summer Warm? C2 has a soft fade quality with golden midtones — suited to lifestyle and portrait photography. C5 is warmer and more vibrant without the fade — suited to bright summer outdoor photography where you want more color presence.

Does C2 work for wedding photography? Yes — C2's soft, warm, fade quality suits the romantic register of wedding photography particularly well. The golden midtones produce flattering skin tones across varied wedding lighting.