Site contents alphabetical pages: About Us, Quick Bio  *Antique Photo Albums *Artwork * Bulk Rates * Calendar of Events * Colorizing *  Contact Us * Decorating with Photos  *  Documents * Estimating Guide  * Educated Consumer?  * Genealogy Corner Genealogy References  *  Guest Speaking   * Home Page * How to Order  * Link to Us Free! * Special Effects *Military Tribute * Photo Dating  *  Research Credits & Links  * Rabbit Hole * PMP Genealogy Bulletin Board * Restorations * Retouching  * Vintage Film Developed 

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May 9th

Deadline April 22

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Estimating Guide 

 

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& Tintype

 

 

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Color Projector Slides Transparencies

 

Scrapbook

Inspiration  

and Solutions

Bulk Rates 

 

"The Challenge of The Year"

Year After Year"  

S

eeing the larger version is a must, to appreciate the work. 

2009 challenge coming soon!

 

  2008

 Larger Version 

in General Restorations

2007

 Larger Version 

in General Restorations

2006

Larger Version

in Scrapbook Inspirations

2005

  Larger Version

in General Restorations

 

How Estimating Works

 

In a nutshell.  

Some restoration services have flat rates, others count damage areas and every little thing they do as extra. For some clients, this explanation is enough. The average photo brought to us, falls into three ranges Light Range of $40-$60 Medium Range $70-$90 and Heavy Range $100. and up.   If you need a closer estimate, we can not give you one without seeing the photo first.  Keep in mind that we do not outsource our work and the originals are in a safe environment. You may have the options of waiting for them to be scanned and keep the originals.   If you want a closer estimate and you enjoy reading ...go on and read about what we have to consider when we estimate from the topics below. You may find it very interesting: 

 

Contents of this page.

 

Archival Quality Prints Prices

Be an Educated Consumer

Bulk Rates

 

Custom Gift Prices

Estimating Color Prices

Military Tribute Discount

Money Back Guaranteed

Options for badly damaged photos

 

Rough Estimates

Scanning Services and Any Type of Electronic file to CD's

Understanding Color Issues

Why some photos cost so much

 

Rough Estimates

The three photo samples below demonstrate light, medium and heavy damage.  It aids in determining a rough estimate, choose which one your photo maybe classified as.  For those who like to read and want to know more, keep scrolling.

$40-$60 Very minor damage mostly to the background or border and minor coloring issues.

$70-$90 Most damages to the faces are in the $70 to 90 range. No damage to faces but still plenty of damage in general.

$100 and up The works.  It needs all of the above plus recreating what is missing.

(NOTE: Don't forget to factor in the hard copies and CA Taxes)

 

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Colorizing Estimating

Before

Before

Before

1).  $40 - $60

2).  $70 - $ 90

3).  $100 - and up

(NOTE: Prices above do not include hard copy.)

1).  This type of coloring is more like a special effect. the background is one color  and only the subject is colorized to bring it out and not necessarily a realistic color.

2). Is colorizing the simply but more artistic and more detailed.

3). The third range is colorizing every single detail of a detailed photo.

Understanding Color Issues

When bringing back the color to these faded photos, your expectation of color is subjective.  What one person calls cherry red, someone else calls orange.  What color is on your screen and what color comes out on your paper are different.  You will never achieve the exact color you remember.  There are many reasons why coloring in a photo are subjective.  Just to name a few, there is the influence of the color lighting in a studio or outdoors, even the color of the clothing worn effects the coloring of the skin or eyes.  It is very difficult to tell the true color of someone's eyes in a photo and really doesn't matter when the photo is on a wall 5 feet away, you get the idea.

The objective to coloring these types of photos are to be able to display again, not necessarily to match your remembrance or obtain perfect skin or eye color.  The essence of the person is still captured.

 

 

For more information on color see our "Colorizing" section.

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Options for Badly Damaged Photos.  

Always remember these are e s t i m a t e s.  

  Extreme Bad Condition Original

$80.clean face

$200. and up for best possible

 

Some people like the photo to look old and choose to clean it up a bit like these samples.

  Original

$40.

clean it up a bit. 

$80. and up for

best possible

(NOTE: Prices above do not include hard copy and CA taxes.)

 

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With some restorations like these samples, the client can make a choice.  As with any restoration, such as the restoration performed on a classic car, or an old house, the total cost is determined by the desired end result of our clients. One photo is rarely just enhancing or just repairs, many techniques are used with all photos. The intent of this sample is an attempt to give you a simple estimate. Some client prefer it their vintage photos old and torn looking, with no change to the coloring, only repairing the worst damage or making it whole.

 

Once you figure about how much the restoration is, add the price of the prints plus copies and Tax.

 

Archival Quality Prints

Many chain stores offer do it yourself printing and prints run through some automated system which allows them to print in one hour.  This is fine if you understand that most digital prints and or film developed almost always need some form of attention.  You get no touch-up what so ever and only Luster or Gloss photo paper are offered. This is not good because some photos are salvageable if only a human was looking at them. It's like getting a human on the phone instead of some electronic voice, it has it's limitations.

All our photos are Matt unless other wise requested.  We feel matt is the most attractive and best for vintage photographs which is the majority of our work.   We don't compete with chains stores.  We give personal attention to each photograph and that is priceless. Most people only need a few copies of any given image so we feel our prices are reasonable. If you need more than 10 copies we will drop our print prices in 1/2 to further encourage printing with us. 

Archival Quality Prints

California Residence add 8.75%

2 1/2 x 3 1/2 Wallet Size 

  $3. (4 per sheet)

3 1/2 x 5 

$3. each

4 x 6

$4. each

5 x 7

$5.each

8 x 10

$7.50.each

12 x 12 Scrapbook page

$10.50

11”x 14”

$25.each

16”x 20”

$40.each

16"x 24"

$45..each

18”x 24”

$50.each

20"x 30"

$65. each

 

Custom Gifts 

California Residence add 8.75%

Custom Lockets

$40.+ Restoration, if any

Custom Mouse Pad

$20.+ Restoration, if any

Gift Card

$10. and up 

Collage

$40.+ Restoration if any

Puzzles

$30 + Restoration, if any

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scanning Service

California Residence add 8.75%

1-5 scans of any film will be priced as a regular photograph See, "Rough Estimates" above.
Negatives 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 See Vintage Film Page
Positive Slides to CD See Vintage Film Page
Scan Strip film to CD See Vintage Film Page
standard CD-RW $18.
Scanning Photos to standard CD-RW $3. each with minor touch up
* Restored Photos to standard CD $150.00 each image

* Our work is a form of art, once the image is recreated it becomes our creative property. We completely understand that prints can be found for pennies elsewhere, however our prices for hard copies are reasonable. Due to loss of revenue when an electronic file is purchased, this policy was adopted.

Here's the estimating formula:

 

Restoration price

 + Print Price

 + Shipping (optional)

 + restored photo to CD (optional)

 + expediting/rush fee (optional)

 + CA state tax (out of state no tax)

 

= Total Cost

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Why Some Photos Cost So Much

 

Looking at the original, it appears to have only yellowed and only a few spots and stains on the sky.  However, after removing the yellow you can now see the overall filth and blotches.  This will take more time then first thought.  With these types of yellowed photos, this is usually the case.

 

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Money Back Guaranteed

 

 

We guarantee 100% satisfaction with our work.  If you are not satisfied, we will try to make things right.  If you are still not happy after all is said and done, you have a money back guarantee with the return the photos within 15 days. 

 

The Exception - Sometimes as in  this case seen here below.  If we tell you that your photo can be restored to a better state than it is but in our professional opinion you may not be please and you still want to go forward.  We tell you up front that we do not give you your money back after putting so much time into the photo. 

 

Too much general damage. At times the end results can only be as good as the detail that is there to work with in the first place.  If the photo is not in focus before, neither will the after be.  Too much damage results in the photo appearing more like a drawing. Depending on how you feel about the particular photo, this may be acceptable. Our client was satisfied.

 

If your photo looks like this we don't expect success.

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Bulk Rates = Savings you can't get in chain stores.

 

 

 

All things are Negotiable, there is no negotiating like this with any other company.  We cater to genealogist, scrapbookers and anyone who has inherited the responsibility of rescuing their family photos. When someone comes in with just one photograph we have a minimum of $40.00 but if you set everything you would like done on the table we can help you get it all done. We consider and quote the worst and all other photos with minor repairs we practically give away.  So it's to your benefit to get all your photographs together at one time.

 

 Make an appointment to see what we can do for you.  619-397-7600 8AM - 8 PM PST.

 

Be an Educated Consumer

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Genealogy Corner 

 

 

Specific Genealogy Interest 

 

* Photo Dating

* History of  Photography and more.

Need a Guest Speaker give us a call...619-397-7600....

Guest Speaking

 

It's a huge mistake to choose a restoration service based on price or distance from your home alone. 

Compare apples to apples.

 

Be An Educated 

Consumer 

(read how and why)

 

 Bulk Rates

Custom

Gifts

 

 

 

 

   As if Restored Photographs were not a custom gift already...make the gift about them personal.

 

Decorating

with

Photographs 

 

 

 

 

Military Tribute

See Before and After Military Restorations

50% Discount on military photographs

 

Rabbit Hole

 

California License

#97605154

 

Rev.02/03/2010

 

 

 

Contact Us  Home Page  How to Order Estimating Price

News Flash.... FYI.... Our service is in the USA.... we do not out-source our work....  All work done in California.

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