How to Add Sun Flares in Lightroom (Using the Dreamlight™ Preset Pack)

Have you ever looked at a photo bathed in golden, glowing light and wondered how to add sun flares in Lightroom without Photoshop overlays or fake filters?

Good news – it’s easier than you think.
With the Dreamlight™ Preset Pack, you can create realistic, cinematic light effects in just one click.
In this post, I’ll show you exactly how to add sun flares in Lightroom, how to install the presets, and how to customize them so your images radiate that dreamy, natural light photographers love.

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Why Add Sun Flares in Lightroom?

Sun flares bring emotion and atmosphere to your photos. They make portraits feel warm, outdoor scenes more nostalgic, and ordinary light look magical.

Instead of relying on external overlays, Lightroom’s radial filters and masking tools now make it possible to create flares that look 100% real — and Dreamlight™ was designed to make that process effortless.

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Step 1: Install the Dreamlight™ Presets in Lightroom

To start adding sun flares in Lightroom, first install the Dreamlight™ presets.

1. Open Lightroom Classic on your desktop.
2. Go to the Develop module.
3. In the Presets panel, click the “+” icon and select Import Presets.
4. Locate your downloaded Dreamlight™ folder (.xmp files) and click Import.
5. You’ll see Dreamlight™ appear in your Presets list, ready to use.

💡 Tip: You can also import them into Lightroom CC  by going to Preferences → Presets → Import.

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Step 2: Apply a Dreamlight Masking Preset to Add Instant Glow

1. Select a photo you want to enhance.
2. Click on one of the Dreamlight™ presets in your panel.
3. Watch the magic unfold — your image instantly glows with soft flares, warm light, and dreamy bokeh tones.

Every overlay preset in the pack uses Lightroom’s masking features to add realistic light direction and highlight effects.

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Step 3: Move and Customize Your Sun Flares

Here’s where Dreamlight™ truly shines. Each preset includes radial filters that create adjustable sun flares.

To customize them:

1. Click the Masking Tool (the circle icon in the toolbar).
2. Look for the Radial Gradients already placed in the image — these are your light sources.
3. Drag them to reposition the glow anywhere in your frame.
4. Adjust the Exposure, Temperature, and Feather sliders until it feels natural.

✨ Move the flare to the edge of the frame for a sunset vibe.
✨ Lower exposure for a soft, backlit portrait glow.
✨ Increase warmth for golden-hour magic.

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Step 4: Creative Ways to Use Sun Flares in Lightroom

• Combine multiple Dreamlight™ presets for layered, cinematic lighting.
• Pair them with Aurelia Lightfall™ or Bohemian Reverie for signature warmth and mood.
• For portraits, place the flare just behind your subject’s head for that halo-like glow.
• For landscapes, position it just above the horizon to create realistic sunlight.

Step 5: Edit with Emotion, Not Just Light

The beauty of Dreamlight is how it helps you tell stories with light. Whether you’re editing boudoir, portraits, or outdoor sessions, these tools let you shape emotion – not just exposure.

Once you understand how to add sun flares in Lightroom, you’ll start to see every image differently. You’re not just editing light – you’re creating atmosphere.

Looking for the best Lightroom presets? Start here.

Final Thoughts

Adding sun flares in Lightroom has never been this easy or this beautiful.
With Dreamlight™, you can skip the Photoshop overlays, stay fully in Lightroom, and create dreamy, cinematic light with complete control.

👉 Get the Dreamlight™ Preset Pack and start adding real, movable sun flares in Lightroom today.

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