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

Restore your damaged photos online for an affordable price with your own personal pro photo restoration artist

Pro Photo Restoration

Heather is Forever Studios Lead Historical Researcher, and our main Staff Writer. She has an extensive background in media, the arts, and publishing. Enjoy her fresh takes on all sorts of photo, video & art subjects.

Heather F.

Can You Restore a Sun Faded Photo?

can you restore a sun faded photo

How to Preserve Your Old Photos

preserve old photos

What Is Photo Retouching?

what is photo retouching

Pictures may remain perfect, uncorrupted snapshots of life and precious moments for a long while. But ultimately, time will do a number on your photos as they fade, tear, and suffer discoloration. But fear not! There is a solution! Photo restoration (and digitalization) will breathe new life into your vintage photos for generations to come.
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">Why Do Photos Fade?</h2>
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<img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfwcJleT8p3nfIFtLWTSz3YR6G5izRqDzIQkPugDgucYGrBybpsgmQ5f2XrsQA066aznP6BR80CMWZ11mJhigJepqQPZjZwnIs7a69Pf4PKocoy6odsuRPBecVQbNxtOLb5js8Pcs7Kn4un25gUyGgl61E5?key=FyzKZKIEfOzKinqHlFp9vA" alt="Sailor writing a letter with old photos around" width="800" height="421">
Photo inception: A vintage photo of a man with vintage photos.
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Now, you might be asking yourself, &ldquo;what happened to my photos? I take care of them. They're in frames, or (my personal favorite) they've been in storage for years; how could they possibly fade so much?&rdquo;&nbsp;
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Well, the answer to that question isn't very simple because there are a lot of factors that many people don't take into account. Light, heat, humidity, water (yes, that damage is different than humidity), household chemicals, dust, and even insects can destroy your pictures without you even knowing until it's too late.
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<h2 class="article-in-ad-block-title">Pro Photo Restoration</h2>
Easily upload your favorite photo and receive a perfect digital image in just two days. Only $35 <a class="article-in-ad-block-btn" href="https://foreverstudios.com/enhance-editor/?typeProduct=photo_restoration">ADD MY PHOTO</a></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">What is the Science Behind Photos Fading?</h2>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">WHAT ARE PHOTOS MADE OF?</h3>
So, let's talk about what a photographic print is made of &ndash; inks, dyes, and paper. Many earlier color prints were created using reactive chemical processes that are sensitive to light exposure and external factors.
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">IS IT NATURAL FOR PHOTOS TO ERODE AND FADE?</h3>
Over a period of time, even in the most ideal circumstances, photos erode naturally like any other man-made object. All materials degrade. The photo's chemical composition will break down and oxidize, changing the image.
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<img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdfOMT7Gn4_y3B-zr4ljFsBajPo68dSETwmxacRqk-kmYLvfCEneotkhYppVUO9DO_eIOf3Iox_CL6yzcayTPfTai8K26l94sJXofmtq2lT7UI7Bjp_CIczFEzUXQvzC-Lbxd2z2UBIxjvSvFJPTDt8KpFL?key=FyzKZKIEfOzKinqHlFp9vA" alt="Old Photos oxidating with a stack of letters" width="800" height="421">
Fading photos due to oxidation.
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">WHY ARE MY BLACK-AND-WHITE PRINTS TURNING SILVER?</h3>
Silver-based color photographic prints fade, or more accurately, start "silvering," more easily than the typical photo and are very susceptible to the same issues. Unfortunately, once a silver image starts to dissolve, it won't stop, but it can last longer with proper storage and care. Word of advice: do not scan your silver photos; that will increase the rapid deterioration.
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">WHY DO OLDER PHOTOS FADE FASTER THAN NEWER ONES?</h3>
Modern prints have a bit more protection, but vintage shots from the 60s and earlier? They're in a really rough spot. Archival-quality photo materials can withstand more than the average photograph, but it's not perfect. A modern photo's longevity depends on a variety of different material factors, such as the kind of polyester and lamination used to create and protect the image. I'll be honest: I do not have a degree in chemistry. So, if you want more information, I'm afraid you'll have to go to someone much smarter than me.
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<img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdhK5HITtHPn4exoOGBy0w34Ffmax-Ddga9SVO8PZ4VWhwzhkwuSlrKbi2NurS8BYwdfWZ7qYKArKDjFo-NhiOBgoYWbeFaekNlVwG4852AnefGHbQWyFJwHbFjhAC0AJRMxcYxN3KUILHZUo5s1xoFMk1M?key=FyzKZKIEfOzKinqHlFp9vA" alt="Old Faded Polaroid Pictures" width="800" height="421">
A good example of over-exposed photos that have faded.
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">HOW DOES INK AFFECT THE LONGEVITY OF PHOTOS?</h3>
Pigment-based inks may stand a bit stronger in the face of environmental factors, but traditional dye-based inks? They don't hold up great. Neither is 100% impenetrable; they will bleed, fade, and change colors. Color photos from before the 80s were unstable. Even black-and-white photos are subject to this issue. Fuji and Kodak were the first companies to introduce stable photography to the public sector.
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">How Does Light Affect Photos?</h2>
Getting the right lighting is essential for a great picture, but UV light on a traditional photograph is like direct sunlight on a vampire (and no, I'm not talking about the sparkly ones). Scientifically speaking, it's a toxic relationship. Even light bulbs can make photos fade and destroy the chemical bonds in the photo paper, causing them to lose their original colors. That's why you'll notice that photos left in direct sunlight tend to fade faster than those kept in a dark storage room.&nbsp;
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<img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXeyNddYfVDgq0Y9Sk1Z1Q9qvD2JpaWKRYD-FIaZ3DMHQnUYZSsnUISbOp0cwn-6WmoCRcg9flMcqiNP8wqlD6bj-HewKw1o46BqRhR0F4rvDErW2xDih--g_M39stZisg4f622W9U42tH78BUlyAoh7RO_I?key=FyzKZKIEfOzKinqHlFp9vA" alt="Light glaring on photos" width="800" height="421">
Photos should not be exposed to direct light. So, this is a bad example lol.
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">What Environmental Factors Damage Photos?</h2>
Water and paper&mdash;that's never a good combo, even if you "waterproof" your photos. The materials and residual chemicals on the photographs can absorb moisture, leading to a warping, discolored mess. The results tend to be even worse if that moisture is trapped in a picture frame with nowhere to escape.&nbsp;
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<img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdkGX-wYlay3McnGf8HX4uVcCQVSwSUsDf4X9MRGhAX1kotSrbDX5sNCmqHIcXxGtiuRlvOgvsiU9XP1RsoqEbOUJiEQnylIudVkb0pvnA_jXvldv18IUpIWuwcuur0pjjeLxQjGGP3Amkk0PCdFCgpm64?key=FyzKZKIEfOzKinqHlFp9vA" alt="Old antique black and white photos in an ornate frame." width="800" height="421">
An old, damaged photo covered in dirt. It's still very beautiful, though.
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Photos react to almost all environmental elements: dust, smoke, fungal growth, and cleaning chemicals. Without proper care and cleaning, layers of grime can break down and destroy an image.
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">Common Mistakes in Storing Photos:</h2>
Many people collect hundreds or thousands of photos throughout their lives (not including family photos that have been passed down). Sometimes, figuring out what to do with them can be difficult, so they go into storage. Poor storage conditions are one of the biggest issues that harm vintage photographs.
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<img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXd9EmAmhulMVRd3F9MlX1op-lbldGp8H_B6k2qh0Jyy3EbxcMMy7TL5UhSkMC5qxzl8uSEvaKs9C-vLuLNEaMdQpO83WP6dKfRCrfI3g0u9vEuQcB9sKgMTCelDAwrdxMqjHiS7-eepqwV5sQxRTZTMecF8?key=FyzKZKIEfOzKinqHlFp9vA" alt="Old Photos in Album" width="800" height="421">
Photos have to be stored in a controlled environment.
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Think about it this way: if you have dozens of photo albums, where would you put them? The attic? A storage unit? The garage? They aren't stable environments with ideal temperatures and protection from humid conditions.​ We've talked about water damage, but consistent temperature is just as important. Exposure to extreme temperatures causes oxidation, discoloring the varnish layer.&nbsp;
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">WHY IS GLUE AND PHOTO ALBUMS A BAD IDEA?</h3>
Acidic materials like adhesive tape, glue, etc., wreak havoc on photographs over time. So the next time you put glue in your photo albums (ask yourself why you're still using photo albums), be aware that it won't just leave a sticky residue; it'll eat at your photos, making them turn yellow and fade. Those acids will gradually make your once-vibrant shots look like they got a bad fake tan.
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<img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXctvdyAHnf5jbPf4c7x10XyJqkXXuIQ-Gg1dXgUam_nBB5z6XXOjzlk0raZK8Xi11icGSDbrVTe2kE7daj-EvuwH6XT4L9Onwdocict3Tp0JJmLvbE2vauncxRH-gM48X447xAGT8deyAm4YAYI18MvmHe7?key=FyzKZKIEfOzKinqHlFp9vA" alt="Photos glued in photo album" width="800" height="421">
These beautiful photos will faster because of adhesives.
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">What Can You Do to Protect Your Photos From Fading?&nbsp;</h2>
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Proper storage&mdash;cool, dark, and dry environments are perfect for protecting your family photos.&nbsp;
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Picture frames&mdash;If you're going to display photos, put them in frames with UV-protective glass. These glasses are like sunscreen for your shots, blocking out ultraviolet light that can make the image dull and lifeless.
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">Alternative Options to Have Perfect Photos:</h2>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">DIGITIZING PHOTOS IS A GREAT OPTION</h3>
Another option, of course, is creating digital photos from a <a href="https://foreverstudios.com/photo-scanning-service/">photo scanning service</a> that can be backed up (thank you, technological advancements). Put a copy on the wall, and protect the original photo in a safe (environmentally protective) location. If the copy fades or gets damaged in any way, you can just print out additional photos.
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">PHOTO RESTORATION SERVICES AT FOREVER STUDIOS</h3>
If you already have damaged images, it might be time to consider a <a href="https://foreverstudios.com/old-photo-restoration/">photo restoration service</a> like Forever Studios. With modern, proper photo editing software, highly trained professionals can recreate the beauty of original photographs that have faded over time. Even better, you'll have an easily accessible and shareable digital photo for your entire family.
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Fading photos are a natural aspect of having such a fragile medium. Photos can mean so much to us, reflecting times that we look back to with positive fondness. Unless you&rsquo;re like me&hellip; I look back on my childhood with embarrassment because of a rather unfortunate haircut. But I digress.
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If you want to delay the progression of fading, remember to always keep your photos out of sunlight and keep them in a dry, dark, and temperature controlled environment. When the inevitable happens and your photos fade significantly, and more than you can bear to witness, there are options to give that photo life again.&nbsp;
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You can utilize old photo restoration services&nbsp;<a href="https://foreverstudios.com/old-photo-restoration/">like ours</a>, and showcase fresh reprints instead of the original. If you follow all of these basic guidelines, your photos will last a lot longer and they will be around for generations to come.

Why Do Your Old Photos Fade Over Time? 

Find out why your photos fade over time and how you can restore your photo to a perfect photo print again.

why-do-photos-fade-over-time

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