Photo colourisation

See your ancestors
the way their family saw them.

Black and white photographs brought to life with natural, researched colour — working with historical references and your input to ensure every hue feels authentic rather than artificial.

The craft

Colourisation done properly.

Colourising a black and white photograph isn't simply a matter of adding colour. Done well, it requires research — into the era, the uniforms, the fashions, the light, the setting. Done carelessly, it produces something that looks artificially tinted rather than genuinely alive.

My approach is to treat each colourisation as an act of historical reconstruction. I research period-accurate colours for uniforms, fabrics and settings, cross-reference available references where they exist, and consult closely with you to ensure the result feels true to the people and the moment captured in the image.

The goal is always the same — to see your ancestors and your family history the way the people who were there saw it. In full, living colour.

Historically researched colours — not guesswork
Sensitive to the era, the setting and the subject
Close consultation with you throughout the proofing process
Works beautifully on portraits, street scenes, military and family photographs
Unlimited proofing — you only pay if you're completely delighted
Colourisation pricing

Colourisation is priced on the same tier structure as photo restoration — based on the complexity of the image, the number of subjects, and the level of historical research required.

Basic — simple single subject from $75
Standard — portraits and small groups from $125
Advanced — complex scenes, military from $200
Elite — highly detailed, large groups from $350
Get a free quote →
Best results

Colourisation works best on sharp, well-defined images — but I'm happy to work with what you have. Even faded or damaged photographs can be colourised, often combined with restoration work to produce a stunning result.

If you have reference photos, fabric samples, uniform details or any other colour information, please share them — the more context I have, the more accurate and satisfying the result.

You only pay if you're completely delighted with the result — guaranteed.  |  Unlimited proofing  |  Free quote within one business day

Recent work

Colourisation examples

Every colourisation is unique. Here's a selection of recent work — spanning military history, family portraits and iconic Australian scenes.

Before — ANZACs at the Sphinx, 1914, black and white Before
After — ANZACs at the Sphinx, 1914, colourised After
ANZACs at the Sphinx, Egypt — 1914
Troops en route to Gallipoli. Uniform colours researched against period references.
Before — Rats of Tobruk veterans, black and white Before
After — Rats of Tobruk veterans, colourised After
Rats of Tobruk — Anzac Day reunion
Medal ribbons colourised with reference to photographs of the veterans' own decorations.
Before — Bondi Beach 1910, black and white Before
After — Bondi Beach 1910, colourised After
Bondi Beach, Sydney — 1910
An iconic Sydney scene brought to life with period-accurate colour.
Before — 46th Battalion soldier portrait, black and white Before
After — 46th Battalion soldier portrait, colourised After
46th Battalion soldier — WWI portrait
Uniform, insignia and skin tones researched and restored with historical accuracy.
Before — Australia Day 1915, black and white Before
After — Australia Day 1915, colourised After
Australia Day — 1915
A wartime street scene colourised with attention to Edwardian fashion and Australian light.
Before — 1970s photo, black and white Before
After — 1970s photo, colourised After
Family portrait — 1970s
Colourisation works beautifully across all eras — not just historical photographs.
Before — portrait colourisation example 3 Before
After — portrait colourisation example 3 After
Portrait colourisation
Natural, softly vibrant colour that honours the character of the original photograph.
Before — portrait colourisation example 5 Before
After — portrait colourisation example 5 After
Portrait colourisation
Warm, true-to-life tones that make the subject feel present rather than historical.

"Thank you so much for the outstanding restoration and colourisation of my photo. The colours are exactly right and beautifully soft yet vibrant, which really brought the photo to life. My mother was ecstatic and said that looking at the photo made her feel young again. What you are doing makes a difference to people's lives. This restored and colourised photo will be passed down through future generations."

Anne T — Brisbane QLD
The process

How colourisation works

The process is the same as photo restoration — simple from your end, detailed and careful on mine.

1

Send me a snapshot

A phone photo of your image is enough to provide a free, no-obligation quote — usually within one business day.

2

Share any references

If you have colour references — photos of uniforms, fabrics, settings — share them with me. The more context, the more accurate the result.

3

I colourise your photo

Research, colour selection and careful application — working with the original light and tone of the photograph to achieve a natural result.

4

You approve a proof

I'll send you a digital proof to review. Adjustments to specific colours or areas are included — we work together until it's exactly right.

5

Receive your files

Your high-resolution colourised file is delivered on payment. Archival printing and framing also available through my partner network.

Get started

Ready to see your family history in colour?

Send me a snapshot for a free, no-obligation quote. I'll get back to you within one business day.

Get a free quote →

You only pay when you're completely delighted with the result. — James, Flashback Photo Co