Essence 02 Rich Warm | Heritage Film Preset for Lightroom Mobile & Desktop

E2 is for portrait and lifestyle photographers who want the Essence Archive's film quality with more color presence than E1 provides — specifically for portrait sessions in warm natural light.

For photographers who shoot outdoor portrait sessions, couples photography, and lifestyle content in afternoon and golden hour light where the warmth of the ambient is already present and the preset should enhance rather than neutralise it.

The midtone warmth flatters skin. E2's warmth is concentrated in the midtone range — where skin tones live. The result is golden, luminous skin in warm light rather than a global warm cast.

It has more color presence than E1 without being heavy. E2 sits between the clean versatility of E1 and the golden character of E7 — richer than the baseline, more restrained than maximum warmth.

It suits portrait and lifestyle specifically. The midtone emphasis makes E2 the portrait-optimised preset in the Essence Archive.

1 × E2 Rich Warm DNG file — for Lightroom Mobile 1 × E2 Rich Warm XMP file — for Lightroom Classic
Installation guide
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This preset captures the rich, saturated aesthetic and deep warm tones similar to the iconic E2 filters. It’s the perfect professional alternative for those wanting a bolder, analog-inspired look that emphasizes color density and light. By emulating the chemical richness of high-grade vintage film stocks, the E2 ensures your digital shots have a polished, developed finish that feels expensive on both desktop and mobile.

E2 works best in warm natural light — outdoor afternoon, golden hour, warm window light. In cool or overcast conditions, the midtone warmth can read as heavier than intended. For mixed or cool conditions, E1 Warm Classic or E4 Balanced Classic are more appropriate.

White balance: 5,200-5,500K before applying. E2's midtone warmth stacks with warm white balance — correct to warm-neutral first.

On phone photos: 80% strength. Check Orange Saturation after applying — reduce by -3 to -5 if skin reads too warm.

What is the difference between E2 and E7 Golden Warm? E2 is warm with fuller color — the warmth is in the midtones and the overall quality is rich and present. E7 is the warmest preset in the collection — golden highlights, maximum warmth even in neutral conditions. E2 for portrait sessions in warm light, E7 for golden hour and the warmest ambient conditions.

Does E2 work for wedding photography? Yes — E2's midtone warmth and film richness work well for wedding portrait sessions in warm outdoor light. For reception and indoor wedding photography in lower light, E8 Dark Heritage is more appropriate.