RESTORATION, PRESERVATION & ARCHIVING
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ABOUT
PRESERVE YOUR PAST was founded in 2002 by Sebastian Wintermute, who combined his passion for history and photography with expertise in digital imaging to make museum-quality photo conservation, photo archiving, and photo restoration services, accessible to individuals and families. Recognizing that countless photographs and documents of personal, family, and historical significance are lost or deteriorate beyond repair each year, Sebastian set out to provide private clients with the specialized expertise traditionally available primarily to museums, libraries, archives, and other institutions.
Since then, Sebastian has rescued and restored thousands of personal and historic photographs and documents that had spent years forgotten in old shoeboxes, dusty attics, and damp basements, slowly fading and falling apart. Often discovered during home renovations, moves, or cleanouts, some of the remarkable items brought to him for restoration have included papers signed by U.S. Presidents, fragile records from NASA's Apollo Program, and the only surviving photographs of Holocaust victims and WWII heroes.
For Sebastian, restoration is about far more than repairing scratches, tears, stains, fading, and other damage. Every photograph or document can preserve a story, a loved one’s face, an important family moment, or a glimpse of a vanished time and place. Even an ordinary snapshot can become an invaluable family record.
His approach combines technical expertise with historical research and curiosity. In many cases, restoration becomes a journey of discovery, transforming an unidentified or damaged image into a meaningful record of the past reveling forgotten names, places, dates, and connections.
Through meticulous craftsmanship, attention to detail, and a commitment to preserving both appearance and authenticity, Sebastian has earned the trust of private clients, companies, organizations, filmmakers, authors, and researchers. His work has been featured or credited in books, publications, documentaries, television programs, music projects, and archival collections.
PORTFOLIO
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An artist's portfolio is more than a collection of completed projects; it is a reflection of skill, experience, and dedication to craftsmanship. It offers insight into the techniques, specialties, and challenges a restoration professional has mastered throughout their career.
Sebastian Wintermute portfolio showcases more than two decades of experience in the restoration and preservation of photographs, documents, and historical materials. The projects featured here range from repairing minor age-related damage to rescuing severely deteriorated photographs and fragile documents that many might consider beyond recovery.
To see more examples of Sebastian’s work and to learn the stories behind many of the photographs, please view the full portfolio...
CUSTOMER REVIEWS & TESTIMONIALS
Sebastian Wintermute is committed to providing his clients with personalized service, expert knowledge, exceptional results, and timely delivery. Here are a few of clients? testimonials and reviews:
Sebastian did an excellent job preserving and restoring my family photos and documents.
He was meticulous, attentive, and most important, trustworthy -- after all, I left irreplaceable family items in his care and he treated them as his own.
I strongly and without reservation recommend that you see Sebastian if you need preservation / restoration services; simply put, he's the best!
- Lucas
What can I say? Sebastian is a miracle worker! His restoration of some very damaged photos, pre WWII, is nothing short of remarkable. His meticulous work has helped bring back to life my relatives who perished in the Holocaust. His work will be featured in the CD booklet for my humble project to remember my Uncle Norbert.
- Roger Peltzman
"Mother’s Savior: A Revelation"
RESTORATION FAQ
Everything you wanted to know about photo restoration but were afraid to ask Here you will find answers to our most common questions, such as:
- How long does it take to have a photograph restored?
- How much does it cost to restore a photograph?
- Do I need to make an appointment?
- Can you restore the original photograph instead of making a digital copy?
- Do you keep digital copies, and for how long?
To schedule a consultation please e-mail the following:
- Client's name and contact information
- Scans or clear snapshots of the items to be restored
(Please e-mail all images in JPG or TIFF formats, resolution 300dpi) - Brief descriptions of the items including sizes, colors, and materials
- Any requests and suggestions concerning restoration treatment
PLEASE CONTACT:
restoration@preserveyourpast.org
with any questions you may have or if you require additional information.
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