Top 7 Portrait Editing Software for Every Photographer

Editing is the most important part of your photography workflow. It's what sets you apart and helps you stand out from the crowd.

With countless tools available, choosing one that suits your style and workflow can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve rounded up the top 7 portrait editing software every photographer should know about. 

5 Portrait Editing Software For Photographers

Check out these 5 editing software for portraits where we dive into details on the pros and cons of each one of them. 

1. Photoshop

We don’t need to tell you this but — photoshop is one of the best portrait editing software for photographers. Known for its powerful editing tools and versatility, Photoshop is ideal for portrait photographers who are precision freaks and need their portraits to look like a famous painting!

Sorry that was a bad joke but anyway, let's talk about the pros and cons

Pros

• Advanced Retouching Tools: Precise control with tools like frequency separation, dodge & burn, generative expand, and healing brush.
• Layer-Based Editing: Non-destructive editing allows for endless customization without altering the original image.
• AI-Powered Enhancements: Offers presets to experiment with AI-driven tools for skin smoothing, facial adjustments, and lighting enhancements. Also includes tools so you can effortlessly remove or replace background elements for a cleaner look.
• Integration with Other Adobe Tools: Seamless workflow with Lightroom, Illustrator, and other Adobe apps.

Cons

• Steep Learning Curve: Requires time and practice to master its complex features.
• Overkill for Simple Edits: Not ideal for photographers seeking quick, one-click solutions.
• System Resource Intensive: This can be demanding on hardware, especially for large files.
• Time-Consuming: Manual adjustments can take longer compared to AI-driven software.

Who is it Best For?

Adobe Photoshop is perfect for:

• Professional photographers specializing in fashion, beauty, or editorial portraits.
• Advanced users who are comfortable navigating complex tools for precision editing.
• Creatives looking to push the boundaries of standard portrait photography with artistic composites and unique effects.

Pricing

Photoshop is available as part of Adobe’s Creative Cloud subscription, starting at $22.99/month for a single app or $54.99/month for the entire Creative Suite, which includes Lightroom and other essential tools for photographers.

2. Capture One

Capture One is a top-tier editing software for portrait photographers because of its exceptional color grading capabilities and tethered shooting features. Designed with professionals in mind, Capture One offers an unparalleled combination of precision, speed, and flexibility to enhance your portrait retouching workflow.

Pros

• Unmatched Color Accuracy: Industry-leading tools for precise color grading and natural skin tones.
• Tethered Shooting: Seamless integration with cameras for live capture and real-time review.
• Customizable Workflow: Fully adaptable interface for streamlined editing tailored to your preferences.
• Superior RAW Processing: Exceptional image quality with better detail, dynamic range, and minimal noise.
• Non-Destructive Editing: Advanced masking and layer tools for precise, non-destructive edits.

Cons

• Higher Learning Curve: This may be challenging for beginners to master.
• Relatively Expensive: Pricing may be steep for hobbyist photographers.
• Fewer One-Click Solutions: Not ideal for quick, automated edits unlike Aftershoot
• Limited Presets: Smaller library of presets compared to competitors like Lightroom.
• Requires High-Performance Hardware: Demands significant system resources.

Who is it Best For?

Capture One Pro is a perfect choice for:

• Studio and fashion photographers who need precise color management and tethered shooting.
• Advanced users looking for highly customizable tools to enhance their editing process.
• Professionals working with large volumes of RAW images and demanding high-quality outputs.

Pricing

Capture One Pro is available through a subscription or a perpetual license:

• Monthly Subscription: Starting at $21.58/month.
• One-Time Purchase: Costs $299, with optional upgrades for future versions.

3. Lightroom

Adobe Lightroom is considered one of the best software for portrait editing and a favorite among photographers for its intuitive interface and powerful photo management tools. Perfect for organizing, editing, and enhancing portraits, Lightroom strikes a balance between simplicity and professional-grade features.

Pros

• User-Friendly Interface: Easy to learn, making it great for beginners and experienced users alike.
• Non-Destructive Workflow: All edits are reversible, preserving the original file quality.
• Batch Editing Capabilities: Apply edits to multiple images at once, saving time during bulk editing.
• AI-Powered Features: Tools like Auto Mask and AI Subject Selection make editing faster and more precise.
• Seamless Integration: Works perfectly with Photoshop for advanced edits when needed.

Cons

• Limited Advanced Retouching: Lacks detailed editing tools like frequency separation.
• Less Creative Freedom: Not ideal for complex composites or advanced artistic edits unlike Photoshop
• No Layer Functionality: Limited to global and localized adjustments without the versatility of layers unlike Photoshop
• Resource-Intensive: Can slow down with large catalogs or high-resolution files.

If you are looking for an in-depth guide on how to edit portraits in Lightroom check out our Youtube video

Who is it best for?

Lightroom is ideal for:

• Photographers looking for an easy-to-use platform for managing and editing large photo libraries.
• Beginners who want professional results without a steep learning curve.
• Portrait photographers who need efficient tools for enhancing lighting, color grading, and basic retouching.

Pricing

Adobe Lightroom is available via Adobe Creative Cloud:

• Includes Lightroom for mobile, desktop, and web at $9.99/month.
• Photography plan for Lightroom, Lightroom Classic, and Photoshop on desktop and iPad at $19.99/month
• Creative Cloud All Apps Plan: Access to Lightroom and other Adobe apps for $59.99/month.

4. DxO Photolab

DxO PhotoLab is a powerful editing tool designed for photographers who demand high-quality results. With its advanced AI-driven features and exceptional RAW processing capabilities, PhotoLab is a standout choice for portrait photographers seeking clarity and precision in their work. 

Pros

• Superior RAW Processing: Produces exceptionally sharp and detailed images with minimal noise.
• AI-Powered Enhancements: DxO Smart Lighting improves image quality effortlessly.
• Lens Correction Expertise: Industry-leading automatic corrections for lens distortions, vignetting, and chromatic aberration.
• Customizable Local Adjustments: Precise control over specific areas of the image with tools like U Point Technology.
• Non-Destructive Workflow: Ensures your original images remain intact during editing.
• Catalog Free Photo Management: Edit files from your device on the go

Cons

• Learning Curve: Advanced features may take time for new users to master.
• No Tethered Shooting: Not ideal for studio photographers who rely on real-time capture.
• Fewer Creative Features: Not designed for artistic compositing or advanced creative edits.
• System requirements: Requires specific hardware to run the software
• Internet connection: Requires a stable connection to work.

Who is DxO PhotoLab Best For?

DxO PhotoLab is ideal for:

• Photographers seeking the best possible RAW file quality, especially for high-resolution portrait work.
• Professionals who prioritize precision editing and advanced lens corrections.
• Users looking for an alternative to subscription-based software with a focus on technical excellence.

Pricing

DxO PhotoLab offers two versions, available as a one-time purchase end to end RAW editing software at $229

5. Skylum Luminar Neo

Skylum Luminar Neo builds on the strengths of its predecessor, Luminar AI, by offering greater flexibility and advanced features. Designed to blend AI-powered automation with manual editing control, Luminar Neo is perfect for photographers seeking creative freedom and efficiency in their portrait editing.

Pros

• AI-Powered Tools: Advanced features like Sky AI, Enhance AI, background removal, and Noiseless AI to simplify complex edits.
• Layer-Based Editing: Allows for more creative control with layer functionality for composites and overlays.
• User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive design that balances simplicity with powerful editing tools.
• Efficient Workflow: Combines automated adjustments with manual tweaks for quick yet polished results.
• Plugins: Use as a plugin on Lightroom or Photoshop
• Batch Processing: Apply the same edits across multiple photos 

Cons

• Performance Can Lag: May be slow when processing large files or working on older systems.
• System requirements: Requires specific hardware to run the software
• Limited Advanced Retouching: Less suitable for highly detailed manual retouching compared to Photoshop.

Who is Skylum Luminar Neo Best For?

Skylum Luminar Neo is ideal for:

• Portrait photographers seeking a balance between automated editing and creative control.
• Beginners who want a user-friendly tool with advanced capabilities as they grow.
• Photographers looking for a cost-effective alternative to subscription-based software.

Pricing

Luminar Neo is available with a One-Time Purchase starting at $299 for a lifetime license.

AI Portrait Editing Software: Streamline Your Workflow

Let’s talk about editing software for portraits that allows you to automate your portrait editing. Here are two of them

6. Aftershoot

If you are looking for portrait editing software that does it all — Aftershoot is the one for you. Aftershoot is photo culling and editing software for photographers looking to speed up their workflow.

Its soon-to-be-launched retouching solution (free in beta) has been designed for photographers looking for an all-in-one solution to cull, edit, and retouch without switching apps. Thousands of photographers have already joined the waitlist. Be the first to try our retouching product!

7. Evoto

Evoto is a cutting-edge portrait editing software designed to streamline retouching with the power of AI. Tailored specifically for portrait photographers, Evoto focuses on delivering fast, high-quality results with minimal effort. It offers a range of features like skin retouching, face contouring, etc. Perfect for photographers looking for a time-saving solution, Evoto ensures your portraits are polished and professional in just a few clicks.

Choosing the Right Portrait Editing Software

When selecting the best portrait editing software, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The right choice depends on your editing style and budget. If you prioritize advanced manual control and creative possibilities, Adobe Photoshop might be your go-to. For photographers who want AI-powered simplicity with stunning results, Skylum Luminar AI and Neo are excellent choices.

Consider your editing goals, the complexity of your projects, and how much you’re willing to invest. Many of these tools offer free trials, so you can explore their features firsthand before committing.

Ultimately, the best one should complement or streamline your photography workflow to help you deliver to your clients faster.

And if you are looking for an all-in-one solution that helps you with culling, editing, and retouching, Aftershoot is the one to go! Start your free 30-day trial today!