Brooke Elisabeth is a Minnesota-based portrait photographer specializing in full-service sessions for growing families, new parents, and the tender early days of motherhood. With a clean, timeless aesthetic that draws from the softness of film and the candid nature of real life, Brooke’s work strikes a beautiful balance between editorial and emotive.

Her editing process is rooted in consistency and intentionality. She customizes every gallery with care—but it all starts with the right foundation. For Brooke, that foundation is Mandy Ford’s film-inspired presets—a flexible, efficient system that has completely transformed her post-processing workflow.

Table of Contents

• Why Brooke Chose Film-Inspired Presets for Her Portrait Work
• A Seamless Workflow That Elevates and Saves Time
• Balancing Consistency With Customization
• A Community-Driven Preset System That Grows With You
• Meet Brooke Elisabeth Photography
• Try Brooke’s Go-To Film-Inspired Presets

Why Brooke Chose Film-Inspired Presets for Her Portrait Work

Brooke’s admiration for Mandy Ford’s work began long before she ever downloaded a preset. As a longtime follower, she trusted Mandy’s aesthetic—and when the Light and Airy Preset System launched, Brooke knew it was worth exploring.

“I was immediately drawn to them,” she says. “I’ve followed Mandy for so long, and her editing style always aligned with what I envisioned for my own brand.”

What stood out most were the cooler tones, subtle glow, and understated dimension—hallmarks of film that rarely come together so cleanly in digital presets.

With these film-inspired presets, Brooke found the perfect base for her signature style. They helped her maintain the editorial softness she’s known for, while offering a level of control that allowed her to stay true to her creative voice.

A Seamless Workflow That Elevates and Saves Time

As a full-service photographer managing both in-studio sessions and outdoor portraits, Brooke needs an editing system that adapts to different lighting and skin tones without sacrificing consistency.

Like many photographers, she had tried countless presets—none of which stuck.

“Since purchasing Mandy’s presets, I haven’t looked back,” she says. “I haven’t used anything else.”

It’s not just the aesthetic that won her over—it’s the structure of the system itself. The base presets, tonal profiles, and adjustment tools work together intuitively in Lightroom, allowing Brooke to work faster while achieving more refined results.

“What really sets her system apart is how everything works together seamlessly,” she explains. “It’s not just a preset—it’s a complete system that’s elevated my editing process and helped me stay consistent without sacrificing my unique style.”

Balancing Consistency With Customization

Brooke’s editing style leans heavily on a film-inspired foundation—cooler whites, subtle grain, and soft glow—without feeling washed out or overprocessed. She brings a candid, lifestyle edge to her portraits that requires both flexibility and finesse.

These film-inspired presets allow her to strike that balance.

She often starts with a clean base, then adjusts the profile range to get the exact feel she’s after. “Personally, I love bringing the profile up into the 115–120 range,” she shares. “It gives my images that extra pop while still holding onto the softness and timeless feel I love.”

That level of control is rare in most preset systems. It’s why Brooke has fully adopted this as her go-to process—not just for the results, but for how efficiently and artistically she can get there.

A Community-Driven Preset System That Grows With You

One of the most valuable parts of using Mandy Ford’s presets, Brooke says, is the community.

“I was honestly so excited to realize that many of the photographers I look up to are also using these presets—it felt like even more validation that I had found my forever preset.”

From the Facebook group to ongoing editing video tutorials, the system provides inspiration, troubleshooting help, and support that extends beyond a single download.

Brooke especially appreciated the recent system update, which includes base options with and without dimension—perfect for handling tricky lighting scenarios.

“The update has been a total game-changer,” she adds. “It truly covers you for every lighting situation, which makes the system even more versatile and reliable.”

More than just technical help, the preset community has created new connections with like-minded photographers. “It’s been so fun to see how everyone customizes their workflow,” she says. “Some lean into different base presets, others tweak profile adjustments more.”

It’s a reminder that while the presets are designed for ease, they still give photographers room to grow, experiment, and stay original.

Meet Brooke Elisabeth Photography

Brooke Elisabeth Photography is based in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, offering full-service portrait sessions focused on family, motherhood, and connection. Brooke captures real-life moments with a timeless, editorial edge—preserving memories in a way that feels both beautiful and honest.

Her studio is intentionally designed to feel cozy and welcoming, and her portrait experience includes wardrobe, hair, and makeup styling to take the stress out of session prep.

From the first inquiry to delivering custom artwork for the home, Brooke approaches every step with care. She doesn’t just take pictures—she tells stories, documents legacy, and creates heirloom imagery that holds emotional weight.

To view her portfolio or book a session, visit brookeelisabethphotography.com, or follow her behind the scenes at @brookeelisabethphoto.

Try Brooke’s Go-To Film-Inspired Presets

For photographers looking to create a clean, classic look with soft skin tones, subtle glow, and edit-to-delivery consistency, Mandy Ford’s film-inspired presets offer the perfect foundation.

Brooke Elisabeth uses these presets across every portrait session—and credits them for giving her both the versatility and confidence to edit in a way that’s true to her voice.

“These are hands down the best I’ve ever used,” she says. “If you’re even considering it, try the free sample edits—you’ll be hooked.”