Photo Repair & Restoration

Some photographs matter too much to leave to chance.  While automated apps can remove surface marks in seconds, they often invent detail, smooth away texture or reduce the image to something that looks artificial and deliver at a resolution unsuitable for printing

I provide high-resolution print restorations, 35mm / 120 film scanning and digital archiving plus optional printing and framing for families, museums, artists and heritage groups.  With over 25 years as professional film and digital photograper based in Norfolk,  I can provide careful photo restorations of images deserving of accuracy and long-term preservation.

I begin each project with considered, manual techniques to ensure the image remains true to the original only using new AI-based software tools to assist in finishing the image when I am sure it can faithfully contribute.

Images are supplied suitable for sharing on social media and websites or as high resolution files in a print-ready format.  Printing and framing is optional.

In addition to photo repair, tone and colour corrections I also provide other retouches such as enhancements including portrait and group adjustments, object removal, background changes and other manipulations as required.

Case Study

This wedding print of a bride suffered some damage in a flood.  The original wedding photographer had long retired and hadn’t retained the negatives. 

As well as restoring the image I was also asked by the bride if I could do something about her shut eyes.  So after cleaning up the marks accross the image I used part of an appropriate second image to ‘open’ the bride’s eyes.  Finally the image’s colour was restored and sharpening applied.

Automated restoration apps can provide quick improvements for lightly damaged images. However they often introduce artificial detail, over-smooth faces, destroy texture and reduce image resolution.  Professional restoration focuses on preserving authentic detail, rebuilding damaged areas carefully and accurately and producing high-resolution, print-ready files.

When a photograph represents family history, heritage, or personal legacy, careful restoration matters.

Print Restoration Pricing

How does it work?

So you have a print or maybe multiple prints you need restoring or perhaps just digitising and archiving.  

Unless you are able to achieve high-resolution scans yourself, I need the original prints so I can be sure I have the maximum detail to work with and the minimum compression applied to the file.  I don’t accept digital copies of your own taken with a smartphone to work on, sorry.  Although I can sometimes offer a preliminary assessment using phone images.

You can call me on 01493 491834 or email me to arrange a free assessment.  If in person, I will take a quick snap of what I receive from you and later email you confirmation of the agreed work and quote.  In the unlikely event I cannot complete the work entirely, you will only pay an appropriate partial payment.  Sometimes there just isn’t enough detail to work with to get a faithful result.

Once I have copied your print/s I will contact you to arrange a return.  This may be prior to me even starting the restoration to keep the time your precious prints are in my possession and so you can then rest easy you have them safely back.  Because I don’t need to retain the prints until the work is complete there wil be a deposit payable before I  have copied your prints.  This is to cover the time I will have so far invested and at least some of the time I will spend restoring your images. 

The exception to this deposit requirement is work carried out for heritage organisations, charities and businesses where I will invoice for completed work.

Watermarked digital proofs are be supplied or offered for viewing in person prior to settling the balance.  Before prints can be ordered (if included) full payment must be received.