Photo restoration

Every photograph holds
a story worth keeping.

I'm James — a photo restoration specialist with over 13 years of experience bringing damaged, faded and torn photographs back to life. Send me a snapshot for a free, no-obligation quote.

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The craft

Expert hand-restoration.
An artist's eye.

Photo restoration is both a technical skill and an artistic one. I hold a Bachelor of Creative Arts and bring a background in graphic design, photography and illustration to every project — which means I understand not just how to remove damage, but how to honour the character and era of the original photograph.

My approach avoids artificial perfection. The goal is always to return the photograph as close as possible to its original state — preserving the texture, tonal quality and feeling of the era in which it was made.

Every project includes unlimited proofing and a satisfaction guarantee — you only pay if you're completely delighted with the result.

Sensitive to the era and character of the original
Unlimited proofing — adjustments until you're happy
Australia-wide service — remote or through a framing partner near you
You only pay if you're completely delighted
Before — faded 1970s photograph Before
After — 1970s photograph restored After

You only pay if you're completely delighted — guaranteed.  |  Unlimited proofing  |  7 day turnaround  |  Free quote within one business day

What I restore

Every type of damage. Every era.

No photo is too damaged to assess. Here's a selection of the restoration work I do most often — click through to see more examples of each type.

Before — faded colour photoBefore
After — faded colour photo restoredAfter

Faded colour photos

UV exposure and time drain the life from colour photographs. I recover lost vibrancy and tonal depth — restoring the original warmth without over-saturating.

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Before — black and white photoBefore
After — colourisedAfter

Black and white colourisation

See your ancestors the way their family saw them — in full, living colour. Historically researched and naturally applied.

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Before — mould damaged photoBefore
After — mould damage restoredAfter

Mould and water damage

Flooding, leaks and damp storage can devastate photographs. I recover clarity and detail from even severely affected images.

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Before — heavily creased photoBefore
After — creases removedAfter

Creased and wrinkled photos

Fold lines, wrinkles and creases removed with precision — preserving the original detail while eliminating the damage.

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Before — insect damaged photoBefore
After — insect damage restoredAfter

Insect-damaged photos

Silverfish, moths and other pests leave distinctive damage. I digitally repair holes, chewed edges and surface marks — restoring what's been lost.

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Before — torn photographBefore
After — torn photograph repairedAfter

Torn and ripped photos

Tears and rips repaired invisibly — whether a clean split or a section missing entirely. Even pieces long separated can be reassembled digitally.

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Before — Victorian portraitBefore
After — Victorian portrait restoredAfter

Old and antique photographs

Victorian portraits, Edwardian family groups and early 20th century prints — restored faithfully to the era in which they were made.

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Before — damaged wedding photoBefore
After — wedding photo restoredAfter

Wedding photo restoration

Faded, torn or water-damaged wedding photographs restored with the care they deserve. A meaningful gift for anniversaries and family occasions.

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Before — ANZAC photographBefore
After — ANZAC photograph colourisedAfter

Military photo restoration

ANZAC portraits, WWI and WWII photographs and veterans' reunion images — restored and colourised with historically researched accuracy.

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Before — wedding certificate damagedBefore
After — wedding certificate restoredAfter

Document restoration

Certificates, maps, letters and family documents restored digitally — working from a high-resolution scan, with the same care as photographs.

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"James is extremely talented, meticulous and very easy, patient and pleasant to work with. He will go the extra mile to get the colours and detail of his work just right — until it's perfect. My Mum says she cannot take her eyes off them and the photos make her feel young again. These magnificent photos will be handed down through future generations. Your work is stunning."

Anne T — Brisbane QLD
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Before — Scottish grandmother Before
After — Scottish grandmother restored After
Pricing

Transparent, straightforward pricing.

Pricing is based on the complexity and extent of the damage — not a flat rate. Send me a snapshot and I'll assess your photo and recommend the right tier. Not sure? The assessment is always free.

Basic
$75
Light damage
Standard
$125
Moderate damage
Advanced
$200
Heavy damage
Elite
$350+
Extreme damage
The process

Simple from start to finish.

The process is straightforward — and designed so you don't need any technical knowledge to get a beautiful result.

1

Get a quote

Send a snapshot by SMS or via the contact form. I'll reply with a free, no-obligation quote — usually within one business day.

2

Scan your image

I'll guide you on how and where to get a high-resolution scan — most people use Officeworks or a local photo lab.

3

I restore your photo

Expert hand-restoration, sensitive to the era and character of the original. Most projects completed within 2–4 business days.

4

You approve a proof

I'll send a digital preview to review and request any changes. Nothing is finalised until you're completely happy.

5

Receive your files

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

Get started

Ready to bring a precious photograph back to life?

Send me a snapshot for a free, no-obligation quote. I'll usually 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