Digital files
Scans, phone photographs, or existing image files may be submitted electronically. The quality and resolution of the source will affect what can be recovered.
Photo Restoration
Some photographs deserve another life.
Careful digital restoration for photographs marked by fading, discoloration, scratches, tears, missing detail, or the simple passage of time.
The goal is not to make an old photograph look artificial or newly created. It is to preserve the person, moment, and character already inside it—while repairing what time has taken away.
01 · What restoration can do
Restoration begins with what remains.
Every photograph is different. Some need careful color and contrast correction. Others may require rebuilding damaged backgrounds, repairing faces or clothing, reducing scratches, or reconstructing areas that are partly missing.
Modern restoration tools—including carefully guided AI-assisted techniques—can recover or plausibly rebuild far more than was once possible. But when original information is completely gone, the result may involve thoughtful visual reconstruction rather than literal recovery.
My goal is to preserve the identity, emotion, and character of the photograph while making every restored area feel believable and consistent with the original.
01A · Another example
Some restorations call for a quieter touch.
This additional example shows a different kind of repair: less dramatic physical damage than the hero, but still a meaningful transformation in tone, clarity, and preservation.
02 · What clients can submit
Digital files and original photographs are both welcome.
Physical photographs
Original prints may be delivered locally or mailed by arrangement. They are scanned at high resolution and returned; all repair work is completed digitally so the original photograph is not altered.
03 · How restoration works
A careful process from first review to final file.
Send the photograph for review
Submit a digital file or clear reference photograph of the physical print. I’ll examine the damage, image quality, missing areas, and likely restoration complexity.
Receive an honest assessment
Before you commit, I’ll explain what can likely be repaired, what may need reconstruction, where the result may remain imperfect, and the estimated price and turnaround time.
The photograph is carefully digitized
Physical prints are scanned at high resolution whenever possible. The original print is not painted on, chemically treated, or otherwise altered.
The image is restored and refined
The work may include repairing scratches and tears, restoring contrast, correcting color, rebuilding damaged areas, reducing stains, and reconstructing missing details when appropriate.
Review the finished restoration
The completed image is delivered digitally at high resolution. Detailed and Complex restorations include one reasonable revision round when personal details need clarification.
Technology can help rebuild what is missing. Judgment is what keeps the photograph feeling true.
04 · Complexity-based pricing
Every photograph is quoted after review.
A small print with a badly damaged face may require more work than a larger photograph with simple fading. Pricing reflects the restoration itself—not only the dimensions of the print.
Essential Restoration
From $45
For photographs that remain largely intact but need careful improvement.
- Color and contrast correction
- Fading or yellowing reduction
- Dust and minor scratch removal
- Basic sharpening and cleanup
- Clean black-and-white conversion when appropriate
- One high-resolution restored file
Detailed Restoration
From $90
For photographs with more visible damage or several areas requiring careful repair.
- Tears, creases, stains, and moderate scratches
- Damaged clothing or backgrounds
- More extensive tonal or color reconstruction
- Repair of small missing areas
- Careful facial cleanup
- Optional colorization when appropriate
- One reasonable revision round
Complex Reconstruction
From $180
For heavily damaged photographs requiring extensive rebuilding and individual attention.
- Large missing or obscured areas
- Significant facial reconstruction
- Multiple reference photographs
- Rebuilt backgrounds, clothing, or objects
- Extensive AI-assisted reconstruction with manual refinement
- Complex colorization
- Client review when personal details require confirmation
Final pricing is provided before work begins. If the likely result does not justify the cost—or too little original information remains—I’ll say so before accepting the restoration.
High-resolution scanning is included when a physical photograph is delivered locally. Shipping, insurance, return postage, unusual sizes, albums, framed photographs, or fragile materials may require an additional charge.
05 · What you’ll receive
A finished image prepared to preserve and share.
Digital delivery keeps the restoration flexible, easy to archive, and ready for printing through the lab of your choice.
- One high-resolution restored digital file
- A web-sized version for easy sharing
- Preparation for common print sizes when the original proportions allow
- Secure digital delivery
- One reasonable revision round for Detailed and Complex restorations
- The original physical photograph returned unchanged when one was submitted
Optional black-and-white and colorized versions can be quoted separately when you would like both.
06 · Questions, answered
Frequently asked questions.
Can every photograph be restored?
Not always. Some images contain too little surviving information for a fully convincing result. I’ll assess the photograph first and explain what appears repairable, what may need reconstruction, and where uncertainty remains.
Do you use AI?
When appropriate, carefully guided AI-assisted tools may help rebuild missing areas or improve difficult details. Every result is reviewed and manually refined so it remains consistent with the original photograph.
Will my physical photograph be altered?
No. Physical prints are scanned, and all restoration work is completed digitally. The original is returned unchanged.
Can you work from a phone photograph?
Yes, although a proper scan usually provides better detail. I’ll let you know when a higher-quality source would materially improve the result.
Can you colorize a black-and-white photograph?
Yes. Colorization can be included when appropriate, but colors may be interpretive unless reliable references are available.
How long does restoration take?
Turnaround depends on complexity. A clear estimate is provided with the quote before work begins.
Can you print the restored image?
Digital delivery is included. Prints can be discussed separately once the restored file is complete.
What if I recognize that a reconstructed detail is wrong?
Detailed and Complex restorations include one reasonable revision round, which is especially useful when you know personal details that were not visible in the damaged image.
07 · Begin with a review
Ready to bring an important photograph back to life?
Send a digital file or a clear photograph of the original print for an initial review. I’ll explain what appears recoverable, what may require reconstruction, the likely quality of the result, and the price before any work begins.