Forever Studios is a South Florida based company that specializes in family history preservation serving customers across the United States in VHS to Digital Conversion, 8mm Film to DVD, Photo Scanning Services, Old Photo Restoration & Wall Art & Photo Prints.

About Forever Studios

Oxana is Forever Studios’ wizard of photo restoration, and master of all things visual. She is the lead artist on our photo restoration team, and always pushes the envelope in what we are able to do with old and damaged photos. Take a look at her photo knowledge.

Oxana V.

Digitize your legacy with our photo scanning service. Transform your prints into high-quality digital images, easily shared and preserved.

Professional Photo Scanning

Why Do Your Old Photos Fade Over Time? 

why-do-photos-fade-over-time

Before & After Restored Photos: Old Photo Restoration

Before and After photo restoration service

What Can You Create From Your Old Photos?

What you can make from your old photo

It can be disheartening to find water-damaged photos or other types of liquid stains. Not all hope is lost, however, because there are different techniques you can try at home to restore your pictures to their original shine.
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<h2 class="anchor" style="text-align: left;">How Can a Photograph Be Damaged by Water?</h2>
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Not only can a major flood in the city cause serious damage to photographs, but other factors that can be dangerous, such as:
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Prolonged exposure in glass frames
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Humid environments
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Central heating in the house
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Incorrect storage
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Flooding
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Accidental water spills
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<img src="https://memoya-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images-blog/1723c469-d20e-4318-90b5-5816e597517d.jpg" alt="Photos in wooden box" width="850" height="447">
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The good news is that most water-damaged photos can be recovered, but it has to be done quickly.
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<h2 class="anchor" style="text-align: left;">Restoring a Water-Damaged Photo at Home: Step-By-Step Guide</h2>
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Fortunately, with some simple techniques, it is possible to save those printed images that are no longer what they were.
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Nonetheless, as these are homemade tips, the instructions should be followed carefully. Photographs may have different reactions depending on their characteristics.
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Do note that <a href="https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/preservation-matters-disasters-saving-wet-photographs.htm">experts</a> recommend assessing the damage properly before trying DIY techniques.
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">Act Quickly</h3>
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To avoid further deterioration of the material, the drying process should be started as soon as possible. The longer the time passes, the more likely it is that the photographs will start to develop fungus, or even stick together.
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">Clean the Photos</h3>
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Before the cleaning process, be mindful that the affected area of the photos shouldn&rsquo;t be touched. If cleaned incorrectly, the ink might get permanently damaged.
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Additionally, it is necessary to wear gloves when handling the photograph, as it could have been stained by contaminated water or fungus.
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Often the water stains the photograph and to clean it you can place it in cold water and then wipe it with a cotton swab moistened with milk.
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<div class="article-in-ad-block"><img class="article-in-ad-block-img" src="https://memoya-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images-blog/8b75d2b2-6e67-41d1-b501-139f64ca51ba" alt="">
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<h2 class="article-in-ad-block-title">Restore Your Old Photos to Their Original Glory</h2>
Forever Studios brings faded, torn, or damaged photos back to life with expert photo restoration. Preserve your most treasured memories with care, clarity, and craftsmanship. <a class="article-in-ad-block-btn" href="https://foreverstudios.com/old-photo-restoration/">GET STARTED NOW</a></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">Dry the Photos</h3>
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After cleaning the photographs, they should be dried with an absorbent material such as wax paper or napkins. If possible, avoid visibly soiled newspapers, because the ink can transfer from one surface to the other.
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Let them dry on a towel with the image facing up. Place a book or magazine along the edges so they don't curl while drying.
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">Beware of the Sun</h3>
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<a href="https://foreverstudios.com/blog/can-you-restore-a-sun-faded-photo/">Do not dry photographs directly in the sun</a>: high temperatures can cause the material to curl and the color to fade. It is therefore recommended to keep them in closed spaces free of humidity.
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If the photo turns red, yellow, or white while cleaning it, it may indicate that it needs professional care. It may be too damaged to repair at home.
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<img src="https://memoya-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images-blog/0dd055f8-e13c-41ec-9d0e-0d8baa936dc7.jpg" alt="Older person looking through old family photos" width="850" height="447">
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<h2 class="anchor" style="text-align: left;">How Can I Separate Photos Stuck Together?</h2>
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Sometimes, due to the humidity of the environment, a photo can get stuck to the glass of the frame where it was exposed. This happens when small drops are formed between the glass and the picture.
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As a result, the surface of the photo becomes like jelly. Thus, the print should be handled carefully; otherwise, it&rsquo;ll sustain damage, especially when separating the picture from the glass.
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For these cases, a very effective technique is to use an unscented humidifier and pass the steam around the image. This procedure can be done several times until the photograph is completely detached from the glass.
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At no time in the process should force be used to separate the images, nor should they be manipulated while wet.
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If you do not have a humidifier, another option is to use a hairdryer to blow hot air at a low temperature. This should be done at about 10 centimeters from the photo for a few minutes along the edges.
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Warm gusts of air remove excess moisture from photos and can cause the image coating to harden again, releasing one layer of images from the next.
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If the photos are stuck together due to humidity, you can place them in cold water on both sides. Then, with a piece of cardboard or a card, try to separate them by passing them from one side to the other.
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Another technique is to place the glued photos in an airtight plastic bag and press it to remove the air. Then, put it in the freezer for 30 minutes and try to separate them with a card.
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<h2 class="anchor" style="text-align: left;">Cleaning Mold on Picture Frames</h2>
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Excessive humidity generates fungus agglomeration capable of damaging some of our most valuable belongings. Just like photos, wooden frames are also damaged by this agent.
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It is worth clarifying that if the humidity has swollen the wood of the frame, it will be impossible to recover it. In case it has only accumulated mold, it can be solved with the help of sunlight and alcohol.
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To remove the mildew, it will be necessary to expose it to direct sunlight. Only after can it be sanitized with a lint-free cloth soaked in alcohol.
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<h2 class="anchor" style="text-align: left;">Where Should I Keep the Restored Photos?</h2>
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The best way to keep your photos in excellent condition is to prevent water damage from occurring. The most advisable place to store your precious memories is always inside a photo album, which is great against humidity.
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Avoid storing photographs in cheap, low-quality, or very porous boxes. Instead, place them in paper albums that will be stored in a dry place.
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Since accidents and water spills can affect our photos, a good preemptive measure is to have a digital backup by hiring a professional <a href="https://foreverstudios.com/photo-scanning-service/">photo scanning service.</a> That way, the original copies won&rsquo;t run into water damage.
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<img src="https://memoya-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images-blog/974f1ef7-d248-4bfc-985f-37aca9644fc2.jpg" alt="Old Torn Family Photo Album" width="850" height="447">
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<h2 class="anchor" style="text-align: left;">Get an Expert Advice</h2>
Each photo has its own characteristics, and only an expert can differentiate between each of the types of paints and inks. Thus, if DIY techniques do not work, it&rsquo;s high time you seek professional help.
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The experts at <a href="https://foreverstudios.com/">Forever Studios</a> will be able to perform a <a href="https://foreverstudios.com/old-photo-restoration/">photo restoration</a> according to your pictures&rsquo; pigment and level of deterioration in a personalized way.
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Moreover, computer programs can get your water-damaged photos to how they originally were. What&rsquo;s more, this software can also eliminate stains, scratches, and traces of humidity.
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<div class="article-in-ad-block"><img class="article-in-ad-block-img" src="https://memoya-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images-blog/8b854517-a232-469c-a3da-d03fcf2270d1" alt="">
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<h2 class="article-in-ad-block-title">Preserve Your Photos Before They Fade</h2>
Forever Studios professionally scans printed photos, slides, and Polaroids into high-resolution digital files. Safe, secure, and perfect for sharing with loved ones. Give your memories a second life today. <a class="article-in-ad-block-btn" href="https://foreverstudios.com/photo-scanning-service/">LEARN MORE</a></div>
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How to Save and Restore Water Damaged Photos: Guide

Is it possible to salvage water-damaged photos? Sure is! Check out our step-by-step guide and learn how to save and restore damaged pictures!

Is it possible to salvage water-damaged photos? Sure is! Check out our step-by-step guide and learn how to save damaged photos!

how to save water damaged photos

Our amazing team of pro technicians regularly capture all sorts of incredible media from years gone by. Read about some of these awesome stories, check out the work we did on them, and hear directly from the team about their challenges and accomplishments.

Analogue to Digital Stories - Capture the Past

Analog to Digital

Analogue to Digital Stories - Capture the Past | Forever Studios

Explore the world of photo restoration and enhancement with the Forever Studios Art Team. Our group of world-class artists are always developing amazing new ways to give new life to old photos. And some of the things they get to work on are amazing pieces of history.

Photo Miracles - Making Magic Happen

Photo Miracles

Photo Miracles - Making Magic Happen | Forever Studios

Forever Studios Insider

FS Insider

Forever Studios Insider | Forever Studios

Enjoy a look into the latest major developments here at Forever Studios, America’s choice for making the memories last forever. Come along with us as we strive to become the nation’s number one provider of analogue to digital services.

Reviews, News & Announcements - Always & Forever

News & Updates

Enjoy a look into the latest major developments here at Forever Studios, America’s choice for making the memories last forever. Come along with us as we strive to become the nation’s number one provider of analogue to digital services. You’ll find all of our major announcements right here.

Reviews, News & Announcements - Always & Forever | Forever Studios

Enjoy a look into the latest major developments here at Forever Studios

Join the Creative Team in their endeavors to develop and create the finest gifts, keepsakes & photo art in the business. Get design tips and see how Forever Studios art can spice up your interior decorating. Get a closer look at some of the great projects we’ve made for people all over the country.

Unique Art & Gifts - Forever Keepsakes

Art & Gifts

Unique Art & Gifts - Forever Keepsakes | Forever Studios

Forever Studios is a proud member of the South Florida business community, and our roots here go all the way back to 2007. We love getting involved in local flavor, and helping our local neighbors. Being a part of preserving South Florida’s history is something we take very seriously, and here is where you can take a look at some of the highlights of those stories.  

Florida Memories

Florida VHS to DVD + Photo Scanning | Forever Studios

A list of areas near South Florida that we service directly, with interesting tidbits of info for each location.

Forever Studios Local Service Locations

Locations

Every town in South Florida within Miami, Broward & Palm Beach counties that is served by Forever Studios | South Florida's Best Media Digitizing Service

South Florida Media Digitizing

The locations served by Forever Studios local to the South Florida area.