Photo Restoration Before and After – Real Examples of Our Work

When art met history, it created a craft that opened a window into the past, allowing us to step inside and see how life with all its moments, memories, and stories truly looked. This craft brought together many creative minds and has impacted the world in ways we could not have imagined 20 years ago. Just as every photograph tells a story, our before and after photo restoration examples reveal our customers’ personal memories, preserved for generations to come.

If you've ever found an old or damaged photograph, you're familiar with the feelings it brings. Torn, faded, or yellowing photos of loved ones and important memories evoke sadness and disappointment.

If you don't recognize the picture, you may feel incredibly curious about who (or what) the image shows. That seems impossible if the photo is too torn or damaged. In this article, we showcase numerous photo restoration examples, demonstrating how damaged photographs can be brought back to life and the impact they create.

Photo restoration examples

Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a sentimental collector, or someone seeking a professional to restore their photos, you’re in for a big surprise! Our team has gathered several photos and compiled them into before-and-after photo restoration samples that we hope will inspire you. Let’s explore together the magic of how old and damaged photos are saved.

Missing parts

Missing parts in photographs happen when edges tear, corners break, or sections of the image are lost over time due to handling, folding, or accidents. Restoring these areas involves reconstructing the lost portions while matching the original textures, tones, and details, a careful process that aims to make the image appear complete and natural.

Tears, creases, or folds

Tears, creases, and folds occur when photographs are mishandled, folded for storage, or bent over time, leaving visible lines and breaks in the image.

Cracked Glass Photos

The protective glass over a photograph breaks due to drops, impacts, or pressure, often leaving shards, scratches, and damage on the image beneath. Restoring these photos involves digitally removing cracks and scratches while reconstructing any affected parts of the photo.

Tape Marks

Tape marks appear when adhesive is used to attach or repair a photo, and over time the tape causes wear, discoloration, and sticky residue on the surface. When the tape is removed, it can unfortunately pull off important details along with it, leaving gaps and surface damage.

Thankfully, even when this happens, careful digital restoration can rebuild the missing areas. Recovering these details requires significant effort, but the goal is to remove all visible traces of tape while preserving the photograph’s natural texture and integrity.

Photos stuck to glass

When a photograph becomes stuck to glass, moisture and time can cause the surface to bond, and trying to separate them can lead to severe damage, including torn areas and loss of detail. Fixing this type of problem takes a significant amount of time to rebuild missing parts and correct distortions.

Old school photos

Old school photos that we still have at home often show the fun and playful marks of school years, such as doodles, moustaches, or ink drawings. On the other hand, photos posted on social media or school websites are often blurry and lack clarity. Removing ink marks and improving clarity helps preserve the authenticity of the original photo.

Military album photos

Military photos remind us of moments of service and camaraderie. Sadly, they often show signs of age, with faded colors and worn edges that hide the full beauty of the image. Once these photos are scanned, damage can be removed, details enhanced, and color restored.

Stained Photos

Stains appear when photographs come into contact with liquids, chemicals, or age-related residues, leaving discolored patches that hide important details. When the photo is scanned, these marks become even more visible and require careful correction.

Thankfully, digital restoration can fix the scanned image and rebuild the affected areas, reducing the appearance of stains while preserving the original tones and details so the photograph looks clean and natural again.

Discoloration

Old photos often suffer from discoloration as the dyes and pigments degrade over time. Reds and pinks, like those in a dress, are especially prone to fading, while blues and greens may shift toward yellow or brown. This fading and color shift can obscure details and reduce the overall contrast of the image.

Sun Damaged photos

Sun exposure is one of the main causes of photo damage, especially when photographs are displayed for long periods near windows or in bright rooms. Over time, UV light fades the original colors, weakens contrast, and can wash out details in both the subject and the background.

Reducing the effects of sun exposure while keeping the photograph true to its authentic look requires careful color work to bring back the colors and depth.

Water damaged photos

Water damage is one of the most severe forms of photo damage, causing stains, warping, blurred areas, and sometimes complete loss of detail. Fortunately, even when the original print is heavily affected, a high-quality scanner can still capture what remains for restoration.

If other copies of the same photo exist, they can also be used as references to rebuild missing parts and correct distorted areas, helping the image regain its clarity and overall appearance despite the damage caused by moisture.

Smoke and fire damaged photos

Photos affected by smoke and fire often suffer severe discoloration, soot stains, and burned edges, which can obscure details and make the image fragile. The heat and chemicals in smoke can fade colors and warp the paper, while charred areas may permanently damage parts of the photo.

Mold and mildew damaged photos

Photos damaged by mold and mildew often show dark spots, streaks, and surface fuzz that obscure details and compromise the paper’s integrity. The moisture that promotes mold growth can also cause warping, fading, and staining of the initial colors.

Pattern Texture on photos

Some old photos were printed on textured, honeycomb paper, which leaves a visible pattern across the image. While this adds a unique feel to the original print, it can make details harder to see, especially when scanning or enlarging the photo.

Shadows

Shadows in photos appear due to uneven lighting when the photo was taken. In old photos, they can obscure details, darken backgrounds, and reduce overall clarity.

Blurry Old Photos

Blurry old photos often result from camera shake, slow shutter speeds, or focus issues at the time the picture was taken. In addition, deterioration over time, such as fading, warping, or repeated handling, can worsen the blur.

Reflections

Reflections occur when light bounces off glossy surfaces during shooting or scanning, creating glare or bright spots that obscure details. This can also happen when an old photo is stuck to glass and has to be digitized by taking a picture of it, causing reflections on the glass surface. In such cases, it can become difficult to clearly see faces, textures, or background elements.

Benefits of restored photos

The goal is to recover the photo’s original beauty and ensure the end result reflects the highest possible quality, so the image looks whole and natural again despite the damage it has suffered. Having a restored portrait or photograph is fantastic, but are there benefits beyond satisfaction and positive feelings? There are many.

As the person submitting the original picture, you'll notice the biggest difference between the before and after photos. But that's not all! Some benefits extend to others as well. Photos have always been amazing gifts, especially for relatives. Restoring an old photo is a way to see things not only as they are, but also as they were meant to be.

For those interested in a deeper dive into the process, benefits, and how professional services compare, see the Photo Restoration Explained article, where we go into detail about what restoration really entails and why it's worth doing. Below, we explore the many ways you, your family, and your community can enjoy these revived photos.

They Improve Health 

That may seem like a stretch, but walking down memory lane and experiencing positive nostalgia can help improve cognitive abilities, boost mood, and support mental health. Restored pictures bring back memories and fond feelings, along with the joy of seeing the before-and-after restoration results.

They encourage people to sit together and share stories, while old photographs help those experiencing cognitive decline or memory problems by providing something familiar to recognize and remember.

Flipping through a photo album or gazing at a portrait feels simple, but its effect is often profound. Photographs capture specific past moments and remind us of days gone by or people no longer with us.

Smiling helps reduce stress and boost your immune system. Many of our clients have told us they want to restore photos because they make remarkable gifts. The damage ranges from simple fixes, like the 'Terminator eye' (the red dot in the eyes), to more complex issues, such as missing facial features. Consider this an investment in your happiness and well-being.

They're Easy to Share 

Having only a single copy of a photograph makes it difficult to share with others. This is especially true if the photo is damaged or already in a delicate, fragile condition. Removing it from a frame or album carries risks, and any travel may cause further harm.

What do you do when that picture contains precious memories that others would enjoy experiencing with you? You might consider sharing those memories by restoring those images to their former glory. There are several tips for reviving old photos that can help preserve your cherished memories if you prefer a DIY approach. Once you follow them, you can relive those special moments and share them with friends and relatives.

If you don't have the experience but still want to fix old pictures, the photo restorers at Pixels Photo Art are here to help. With us, you open up a world of possibilities for preserving and celebrating your family history. Whether it's reviving faded portraits or enhancing photos from memorable occasions, our skilled restorers will bring your cherished images back to life. You'll enjoy revisiting these special moments and sharing them with loved ones for generations to come.

Once the photographs have been brought back to life, you can share the photos with anyone you want. You'll still have your original photographs while gaining digital copies that can later be used to create multiple prints.

Your imagination is the limit, but here are a few ideas for sharing your newly restored images.

• Use them as gifts

• Turn them into greeting cards

• Have them printed on large posters or canvases

• Send digital copies over email

• Create photo albums for relatives

• Create a family tree

• Update your MyHeritage or Ancestry accounts.

They Won't Be Damaged Again

Looking at physical photographs is exciting and soothing in its own way. However, if you only have a hard copy of a photo, you risk losing it or having it damaged. You never know what might happen. Floods, fires, and even broken frames can threaten photographs, as they are not particularly durable.

For older photos already in poor condition, the risks are even greater. The longer you hold onto them, the more likely they are to become unsalvageable, whether due to the passage of time or an unexpected event. Either way, once a photograph is gone, there is no way to get it back.

The restoration of photographs changes that. Once the process is complete and you receive your digital copy, you can store it indefinitely. Upload it to the cloud, keep a copy on a drive, and save it in as many places as you like. You’ll have access to it forever and no longer need to worry about irreparable damage. Not only do you get an expertly restored photo, but you also gain peace of mind.

They Preserve History 

Photos capture the past in captivating ways. Restoration allows new generations to experience historical moments as they’ve never seen them before. Just take a look at the following photo restoration before-and-after example:

The closest anyone can get to stepping back in time is by seeing it with their own eyes, making photographs the perfect window into the past. As you view restored pictures, you’re transported to the moment they were taken—whether that’s thirty years ago or all the way back to the early 1900s. After all, cameras have been around for centuries.

Restoration gives everyone a unique opportunity to glimpse moments from long ago. This is especially valuable to collectors, historians, and families wishing to connect with their ancestors.

They Bring a Sense of Community 

Restored photographs are treasured personal possessions, but some hold meaning beyond the individual and can bring joy to the wider community. Museums and displays often include photos alongside memorabilia, helping people learn about history and appreciate how things have evolved. Restored images make that journey accessible to everyone, connecting past and present across generations.

They Reach New Generations

These days, much of our information is online. Most people turn to their phones or keyboards when they want to look something up. Browsing through an archive or visiting a museum to find a single image isn’t very practical, especially for younger generations, who are busy with their day-to-day lives and used to instant access.

By sharing old images digitally, more people can see them and connect with the stories they hold. Anyone can access them with a simple click or scroll, making it easy to enjoy a moment of nostalgia without needing to visit a physical collection.

Save Your Cherished Memories with Pixels Photo Art

The above before-and-after photo restoration samples showcase the remarkable transformation of old and damaged photos. We’ve also highlighted the benefits and explained how restoration impacts individuals and the world in countless positive ways. The best way to understand it is to experience it for yourself. Commission us and watch us create a link between the past and the present.

Our Pixels Photo Art team is ready to bring new life to your cherished photos, so you can enjoy them privately or share them however you wish. For more info, contact us!