About

Photograph restoration is a craft and highly skilled, professional work.

With over ten years’ experience of restoring photographs for a living, and having encountered (and repaired) all kinds of damage in that time, I can offer informed advice on the various options for your own precious photo and the best way to proceed.

Uniquely (because I don’t know another photo restorer who does this) I will also restore a sample section of your photo before you commit. I hope you will be amazed by what you see and decide to go ahead, but there is no pressure to do so.

Dr David Mair, on the restoration I performed on his photograph (Nov 2022): It's not possible to convey in words the impact of seeing a tattered, tiny photograph restored to pristine quality - and brought to life in full colour when the original was black and white! Will does an absolutely amazing job, and I think the only word that comes close to conveying my reaction when I saw the work he had done is 'gobsmacked'! Just incredible - tiny details stand out, things that were hardly visible on the original damaged photo - and a scene that looked like something from another age suddenly becomes alive again with people whose faces are full of character and life. Don't hesistate to ask Will to undertake restoration work of your precious photos: I can truly say that he is an artist and brings total dedication and integrity to his work. Wonderful!

Most pictures can be enlarged, but I will always advise you of what is possible when I have seen it.

Almost every photo can be transformed, even if the image was technically poor to begin with (out of focus, for example, or lacking detail). Only very rarely is a picture beyond repair. 

When done properly, photograph restoration is a craft and highly skilled professional work. At Restoring Glory there is no 'single price' because some photographs are more damaged than others and naturally need more work. I am able to supply a quotation once I have examined the photograph, and you will know what the work will cost before you decide to proceed.

Please contact me to discuss your requirements, because no two photographs are the same and the service that I offer is tailored to your needs.

3 options:

1. Email me a scan of your photograph at 600 dpi (dots per inch) or (better still) 1200 dpi, making no adjustments to the scanner's default settings for scanning photos. At these resolutions, it will be possible to have an enlargement of your restored photograph if the overall picture quality is good enough. Please include the approximate size of the photograph (e.g. 10 cm by 15 cm) and the size of the print you would like (if known). I will give you a quote, and, if you accept it, I will restore the scan you have supplied.
2. If you don’t have a scanner, take a couple of photos of your picture with your phone - from different angles to avoid reflections – and email them to me along with a brief description of the damage, the approximate size of the photograph (e.g. 10 cm by 15 cm) and the size of the print you would like (if known). I can often provide a quote based on this. If you accept the quote, please then post your original photograph to me so that I can scan it myself and repair the digital copy. If, on inspection, the damage is significantly worse than I thought, I will supply a revised quotation, returning your photograph to you at my expense if you decide not to proceed.
3. Photographs can be delivered to me by hand if you live near Worcester, and a quotation provided; please telephone first to arrange a convenient time. Likewise, photographs can be collected from me by appointment.

Set the scanner to 600 dpi (dots per inch) or (better still) 1200 dpi, making no adjustments to its default settings for scanning photos. At these resolutions, it will be possible to have an enlargement of your restored photograph if the overall picture quality is good enough.

Log onto the free file-transfer website We Transfer, add your file, complete the message box, and send it to me at Will@RestoringGlory.co.uk

Photographs are easily, safely and reasonably cheaply transported by Royal Mail within the UK. However, I recommend following the 4 posting tips below (the 4 Ps), because doing so offers significant protection in the event of a problem.

1. Photocopy. (Or photograph - or scan, if you can). This colour copy of your photograph is your real 'insurance', from which a new photograph could be made.
2. Pack. Sandwich the original photograph between stiff card. Wrap the 'sandwich' with cling film or use a Jiffy bag envelope to protect against water. Write 'Do Not Bend' in clear, bold letters on the front and back.
3. Phone. Telephone me before posting, please, to be sure that someone will be able to sign for your parcel the next morning (01905 317713). Otherwise there is a chance I will be out and miss your delivery.
4. Post. I recommend sending photographs by Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed™ which tracks mail throughout its journey, promises delivery by 1pm the next day and requires a signature. This service (available at the Post Office) typically costs £7.50. First Class is of course cheaper, but your parcel isn't tracked.

1. I let you know that your photograph has arrived and confirm the price (see above: ‘Getting a quote’).
2. If you choose to proceed, I ask for a deposit of 40% of the agreed price (by bank transfer, please) before beginning work.
3. I restore your photograph, normally taking around two weeks (to allow me to return to the restoration and look at it with fresh eyes).
4. I email you a draft of the repaired photograph for your approval, and request payment of the outstanding balance.
5. I contact you to confirm that you will be able to sign for the return of your photographs (the original and the new print) the next day before 1pm (if you have chosen Royal Mail's Special Delivery Guaranteed™ service).
6. I email you the digital file of your restored photograph, enabling you to print further copies whenever you wish.

Please view the full terms and conditions at the foot of the page

When care has been taken to scan and restore a photograph it is important that the finished print doesn't let you down. Calibrated monitors mean that my printers accurately reproduce the colours I see on screen when I am repairing the photograph; and I use quality inks and paper that are expected to be colourfast for 200+ years in a photo album, for 40 years behind glass, and for 10 years without the glass. I can print your picture with a white border if you would like this, and to the size required to fit that special frame. But if you prefer, you can print the restored photograph yourself from the digital file - prints eventually fade and decay, but with a digital file a new photograph can be made whenever you need.

Every photograph brought for repair will have immeasurable sentimental value. However, I can only accept your picture for appraisal or restoration on the understanding that is has no monetary value (for insurance reasons). If you know that your photograph has a financial value, I recommend seeking out a printer in your area who uses quality scanners (for copying art, for example). Ask the printer to scan the photograph at 1200 dpi and supply you with the digital file, then email the file to me. Alternatively, please contact me to discuss the options; there is almost always a solution.

Royal Mail's Special Delivery Guaranteed™ service does offer compensation in the unlikely event of loss or damage whilst your photographs are in transit, but (as with all insurance) to make a claim you would have to “include your proof of purchase receipt and evidence of the item’s value” - meaning that you would need to be in possession of a formal valuation certificate. Few people have such a certificate, so photographs sent by post are effectively uninsured and sent at the owner's risk.

To demonstrate that glory can indeed be restored to precious but damaged pictures, I sometimes display examples of photograph restoration on my website, elsewhere online, in print advertising, and in other digital and print media. By asking me to restore your picture, you are granting me permission to do this. However, I will not associate your name with your picture, quote your feedback or write a story about your photograph without your explicit permission.

9 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday. 9 am to 12.30 pm, Saturday. To make an enquiry, please send me an email (including your telephone number) and I will respond as soon as I can.

My aim is to provide you with the best possible photograph restoration for your needs, at a fair and clear price, and to ensure that there is good communication between us throughout the process. So, if you have a question at any stage, please don't hesitate to get in touch.