Last updated August 2026
For the shots that are technically perfect and still feel like they're missing something.
This is the one plugin in the range that isn't about fixing a problem — it's about presence. A portrait can be sharp, cleanly lit and fully retouched and still feel slightly flat, usually because the light was soft and even rather than sculpting. Portrait Volumes adds back some of that shape and depth — more defined features, a bit more life in the eyes — without you manually contouring the whole face in post.
Unlike blemish or colour tools, this one is about dimensionality — making a portrait feel more expressive rather than simply cleaner.
Most valuable when a portrait was shot in very even light and the face needs a little more contour and shape to feel fully finished.
Works best near the end of the retouching process, once cleanup is already done and the image just needs more presence and structure.
Portrait Volumes is an AI portrait-shaping plugin built to increase the sense of depth in a face — making facial features stand out more clearly and giving the overall image more expression.
If you've searched for an AI contour plugin for portraits or a way to add depth to a face in Photoshop, this is built for that specific job, without heavy manual shaping.
This one comes up most on overcast-day location shoots or in a studio with a big soft box as the only light source — beautifully even, genuinely flattering, and occasionally just a bit flat by the time you get to editing. Rather than reaching for aggressive dodge and burn to manufacture shape that wasn't there in camera, this gives the face a bit more presence without it reading as obviously retouched. It's a finishing touch, not a fix — I only reach for it once everything else is already done.
Strongest when the subject already looks good and the image simply needs a little more structure — not about removing distractions, about helping facial features read more clearly.
No. Dodge & Burn is about tonal refinement and smoothing light transitions. Portrait Volumes is specifically aimed at adding facial depth and making key features stand out more.
Portrait, beauty and fashion photographers editing softer-lit people photography that needs a little more contour and dimensionality.
Yes — it's especially useful on portraits shot in softer, more even light where the face needs more structure and visual shape.
Usually because the portrait feels a little too flat and needs more facial structure or presence without looking overworked.
Portraits that often need a little more shape and facial presence after the main cleanup work is done.
Where eyes, lips and facial structure need to feel slightly more expressive in close-up imagery.
Editorials and model tests where cleaner facial contour adds polish without overcomplicating the retouch.
Working with flatter, softer light who want a little more depth added back in post.
These two work well together but solve different problems. Dodge & Burn handles tonal correction, smoothing and light transition. Portrait Volumes handles facial dimensionality and feature presence. If the portrait looks too flat, this is the more direct answer. If it looks uneven or tired, Dodge & Burn is usually the better first step.
If Portrait Volumes feels close to what you need, these are the most natural next pages to compare.
Use code SIMONSONGHURST20 for 20% off if your portraits need a little more depth and presence.
