"As a highly-skilled portrait painter it really feels terrific to be able to do for my clients things
that other folks doing photo restoration can't. It's so rewarding to see people's eyes
light up when I return to them a family member they'd considered lost." - Carol Hawkins
Have a true artist restore your cherished photos.
You want the very best for your valued photographs and artwork. With photo restoration, as with any other service, cut-rate restoration is likely to provide cut rate results. Carol Hawkins' study of photography, history, experience as a portrait artist, & years of accomplishing heroic photo restoration combine to produce a level of accuracy and attention to detail unsurpassed by others. All work is tenderly done with results that speak for themselves. Carol treats each of your prints as if it were her own by giving cherished photos the attention to quality and workmanship they deserve.
Many cut-rate companies outsource their photo restoration. That means your restoration may be performed in a foreign country. Carol Hawkins Studio NEVER outsources. Your restoration work is lovingly, respectfully, and carefully carried out in Carol's studio in Austin, Texas.
Hawkins Studio uses only the finest printing processes available to achieve a beautiful outcome. Quality printing assures that your restoration will look as great years from now as it does when you first receive it. Cheaper printing processes may result in rapid fading and degradation of restored photos.
Carol recognizes that each print is a work of art. Careful restoration process takes time and requires tender loving care. Rush jobs will incur additional charges.
Photo restoration, colorizing, manipulation, & enhancement services are available. Length of time required for repair varies depending on the amount of damage to the photo. Minor restoration may require only half an hour's work. Moderate damage requires an hour or more. Some photos benefit from extensive attention.
When areas of the photo are missing, the image will have to be rebuilt. This may be a time consuming effort. Sometimes so much detail has been lost either through fading, tears, or other damage, that painting a new image or portion of the image is required.
Time required varies depending on the amount of damage to the photo. Moderate damage requires an hour or more. Many photos benefit from extensive attention. Most of the images on this page have taken many hours to repair. Some have required 40 hours or more.
Only in rare situations can online bids be provided. Rather, we'll sit down together to ascertain the level of service each of your photos will require. Pricing is commensurate with the time required to accomplish the restoration. Minimum charges begin at about $350.00.
Hawkins Studio also does some restoration work on paintings. Carol is not a conservator. A professional conservator has earned a master's degree including advanced study of technical aspects of painting conservation. A consultation is necessary to determine whether and to what degree Carol can improve the look and condition of your artwork.
See our Gallery for more examples of Carol's amazing restoration work.