Portrait Pro works as a plugin inside Lightroom Classic, not as a standalone tool

Portrait Pro is a portrait retouching plugin made by Anthropics. To use it in Lightroom Classic, you install it as a plugin, then access it from the Photo menu or right-click context menu while editing. It does not replace Lightroom — it sits inside it, so you can jump to Portrait Pro for specific retouching tasks, then return to Lightroom to continue your workflow.

The plugin works on a copy of your image, so your original stays untouched. When you finish retouching in Portrait Pro, the edited version appears as a new photo in your Lightroom catalog. This means you can compare the original and retouched versions side by side, or undo the whole thing if you want to start over.

Key Takeaways

  • Portrait Pro installs as a plugin through Lightroom's plugin manager, which you reach from the File menu.
  • After installation, you launch Portrait Pro by right-clicking a photo in Lightroom and selecting "Edit with Portrait Pro".
  • The plugin creates a new edited version of your photo in Lightroom rather than overwriting the original.
  • Portrait Pro requires an active internet connection and a subscription or one-time purchase to run.

Install Portrait Pro through Lightroom's plugin manager

Open Lightroom Classic and go to File → Plugin Manager. A window opens showing installed plugins and an "Add" button. Click "Add" and browse to the Portrait Pro plugin file on your computer. If you have not downloaded Portrait Pro yet, visit the Anthropics website, read the Lightroom plugin version, and save it to a folder you can find.

After you select the plugin file, Lightroom asks you to confirm the installation. Click through the prompts, and Lightroom will register Portrait Pro as an available plugin. You may need to restart Lightroom for the plugin to appear in your menus. Once installed, you will see Portrait Pro listed in the Plugin Manager window, and it will stay there until you remove it.

Launch Portrait Pro from the Photo menu or right-click menu

Select a photo in Lightroom's library or develop module. Go to Photo → Edit With → Portrait Pro. Alternatively, right-click the photo and choose Edit With → Portrait Pro from the context menu. Either route opens Portrait Pro in a new window with your photo loaded.

Portrait Pro will ask you to sign in with your account if you have not already. If you own a subscription or have purchased a one-time license, log in with those credentials. The plugin will not work without an active license, so make sure your subscription is current or your purchase is registered to your account.

Understand what happens to your photo after retouching

While you work in Portrait Pro, you are editing a temporary copy of your image. When you finish and click "Done" or "Export", Portrait Pro saves the retouched version and returns you to Lightroom. The edited photo appears as a new image in your catalog, usually stacked with or placed near the original.

Your original photo remains unchanged in Lightroom. This setup lets you keep both versions — the raw original and the retouched one — so you can compare them or choose which to use. If you want to edit the retouched version further in Lightroom, you can do that. If you want to send the retouched version to Portrait Pro again for more work, you can do that too.

Check your system meets the plugin requirements

Portrait Pro requires Lightroom Classic version 11.0 or later. Check your Lightroom version by going to Lightroom (on Mac) or Help (on Windows) → About Lightroom. If you are running an older version, update Lightroom from the Creative Cloud app or through your Adobe account.

Portrait Pro also needs an active internet connection to run, even though it processes images on your computer. Your system should have at least 4 GB of RAM, though 8 GB or more is better for smooth performance. On Mac, you need macOS 10.14 or later. On Windows, you need Windows 10 or later. If your system is older, the plugin may not install or may run slowly.

Troubleshoot if Portrait Pro does not appear in your menus

If you installed Portrait Pro but do not see it in the Photo menu or right-click menu, restart Lightroom completely. Close the process entirely, wait a few seconds, and open it again. Sometimes Lightroom does not register a new plugin until you restart.

If restarting does not work, open the Plugin Manager again and check that Portrait Pro is listed and shows as "Installed". If it shows as "Not Installed" or has an error message, try removing it and reinstalling. read the latest version of the plugin from Anthropics, remove the old one from Plugin Manager, and add the new file. If you still have trouble, check that your Lightroom version is current and that you have enough free disk space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a subscription to use Portrait Pro in Lightroom?

Yes. Portrait Pro requires either an active subscription or a one-time purchase license. You must log in with your account when you launch the plugin, and the plugin will not work if your subscription has expired or your purchase is not registered. Check your account on the Anthropics website to see your current license status.

Can I edit the same photo in Portrait Pro multiple times?

Yes. Each time you send a photo to Portrait Pro, it creates a new edited version in Lightroom. You can send the original photo to Portrait Pro again, or you can send the previously retouched version if you want to refine it further. All versions stay in your Lightroom catalog so you can compare them.

What file formats does Portrait Pro accept from Lightroom?

Portrait Pro works with JPEG, TIFF, and PNG files exported from Lightroom. It does not directly edit raw files like CR2 or NEF. Lightroom converts your image to a compatible format before sending it to Portrait Pro, so you do not have to do anything — just select your photo and launch the plugin.

Will Portrait Pro slow down my Lightroom?

Portrait Pro runs in a separate window and does not affect Lightroom's performance while you are using Lightroom. When you launch Portrait Pro, it may take a few seconds to open depending on your internet connection and system speed. Once it is open, Lightroom continues to work normally in the background.

Can I undo changes if I do not like the Portrait Pro edit?

Yes. The original photo stays in Lightroom untouched. If you do not like the retouched version, you can straightforward delete it from your catalog or ignore it and keep using the original. You can also send the original to Portrait Pro again and make different adjustments. There is no risk to your original image.