It has occurred to us you might not know that we are a family team at Photographs Forever. So, we thought we would take a moment to re-introduce ourselves and remind you of the true value of a family business.
I began Photographs Forever in 2009 and, since 2021, I have been lucky enough to have my daughter Amy working alongside me.
Amy and Richard – Don’t panic, this photo of us is from 1999!
As a father and daughter team we truly span the generations, offering a great wealth of experience and a first-hand understanding of just how important our photos are. Being a small team allows us to act with empathy and common sense at all times – your photos are unique to you and we understand that this means our process needs to be unique as well.
Building relationships and trust with our customers is at the heart of what we do. We have developed so many amazing connections over the years and we love hearing all of the wonderful stories behind your photos – we have been lucky enough to restore some amazing historical images!
As a family business, we know personally just how essential photos are in keeping us connected to our past, for now and generations to come, and we are always here to help or offer advice whenever you need it.
Today, Amy’s partner Luca works alongside us too, heading up our in-house design projects and ensuring we continue to thrive together as a family business.
All you need to do is take the time to sort out those special photographs, and you can leave the rest to us!
We recently restored several images of Norman Wisdom for his son Nick. These were to form part of an exhibition that Nick is mounting.
We restored these two photographs so they could be printed the appropriate size for the framed exhibit of Norman’s suit dating back to 1952.
Nick says:
“As the Norman Wisdom Exhibition reaches its capacity of circa eighty frames, it’s fair to say that the best has been saved to last. A five foot high frame (below) features Norman’s long tailed suit first worn in the theatre in 1952. As ever, thanks must go to the experts who I have come to rely on. Gerald Fleuss, master calligrapher and Richard Haines of Photographs Forever who can resurrect and adapt any form of photography to great effect.”
We were asked by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council to restore 49 faded framed portraits of their Mayors going back many years. This involved removing the existing photographs from their frames, scanning and digitally restoring each one as well as reintroducing all the red and gold elements of many. Here is just one of the worse ones showing before and after our restoration.
When all 49 were fully restored we printed them all on archive grade paper (so the fading will no longer be an issue going forward) and replaced them in their original frames. Here they are safely reinstalled and being regularly enjoyed by all visitors the the Town Hall.
Brenda C sent us this message to ask if we could help:
I am having new kitchen worktops and was going to have a glass splashback across the cooker wall. I have decided to use two landscape photos placed somehow in the glass splashbacks but details have to be obviously pretty exact.
Would you be interested in creating the photo panorama for the glass manufacturers. It would consist of one landscape view, one central portrait view above the cooker and another landscape view. The photos to be used are of The Solent looking across to the IOW with sailing club yachts. Blue sky with few clouds, blue sea and the yachts have their dark blue spinnaker sails open. Obviously, sky, sea etc have to be in alignment with one another.
We have done this kind of bespoke project before and told Brenda we would be very happy to help. Brenda’s photos above show the original photographs we were supplied with and the finished result. We increased the proportions to allow for the exact placing of the power point positions which meant more sea was required.
Brenda was very happy with the finished result achieved by us and the glass manufacturing company, and sent us this feedback on the final splashback:
Everyone has loved the splashback with not one negative comment. Most comments are ‘Wow’. I love it and every time I go into the kitchen, it looks so clean and bright. I am also pleased that the upstand removes enough of the sea to balance the yachts being so high. Now you have added my splashback on your new website, I have sent the web page link to many friends.
I don’t know how you did it but it was exactly how I wanted it. I have been trying to find each of the yachts from my photos but have given up trying to find them now!
We are very pleased to let you know that Luca Quasimodo has joined Photographs Forever on a full-time basis. He will be creating our photobooks as well as carrying out many other duties so that we can be as efficient with customer photographs and photograph restoration. Luca has been working for us part time until now. He has a Design Degree from Brighton University.
We now have the ability to sharpen up those out of focus faces that many old photographs suffer from. Sharpening face detail restores lost detail and brings back the true skin tones and all aspects of face detail
We have just started advertising Photographs Forever on Radio Caroline to increase the awareness of the importance of preserving our memories with photographs.
Like me, I’m sure many people remember the heyday of the pirate radio stations in the mid 60’s and the way they revolutionised popular music by playing and plugging singles all day every day as there was very little pop music on the BBC at the time. BBC were then forced in 1967 to create a new pop music station which became Radio 1.
A month or so ago the family were holidaying overlooking the Blackwater Estuary in Essex and noticed a stationary red ship which I soon realised was Radio Caroline. I was intrigued to listen to the station and found I liked much of the music played and decided that if I enjoyed it then maybe so would other people of a similar age (and younger of course).
Radio Caroline is now a 24/7 album station featuring music from across the decades up to and including new music.
Broadcasting on 648 AM, on DAB and around the world online at radiocaroline.co.uk
You can listen to the Photographs Forever advertisement below
There is also the Caroline Flashback station which concentrates on playing pop singles from the 60’s and 70’s. Lots of the songs played are ones we remember but not always the same oldies so often played on other oldie stations.
Click on the links above and take a listen to the Caroline stations.
Here are compelling reasons why you should tune into Radio Caroline Flashback:
Nostalgic Music Selection: The station plays a rich mix of classic hits from the 1960s, 1970s, and beyond, taking listeners on a trip down memory lane and bringing back the soundtracks of their youth.
Authentic Retro Experience: Radio Caroline Flashback maintains the spirit and legacy of the original Radio Caroline, which was iconic for its role in the 1960s pirate radio movement. It recaptures that rebellious, free-spirited essence.
Unique Radio Heritage: Tuning in supports and celebrates a piece of broadcasting history, as Radio Caroline is known for pioneering the concept of independent radio in the UK.
Community Connection: Listening provides a shared experience with others who appreciate the golden era of music, fostering a sense of community among like-minded fans.
Ad-Free and Non-Commercial: The station prioritizes the music without commercial interruptions, offering a refreshing and relaxing listening experience AND NO NEWS!
High-Quality Broadcasts: Radio Caroline Flashback provides crystal-clear sound quality, allowing older classics to be enjoyed in their full, rich audio detail.
A Break from Modern Trends: It offers a respite from the fast-paced, modern music trends, providing a comforting and familiar alternative that resonates with older tastes.
Musical Variety: The station features an extensive playlist that highlights not just the biggest hits but also hidden gems from past decades, catering to varied tastes and deepening the appreciation of vintage music.
Timeless DJs and Hosts: The station may include presenters who have been part of the radio industry for decades, bringing their knowledge, personal stories, and passion for music to the forefront.
Accessible and Easy to Use: Radio Caroline Flashback is accessible online and through various radio platforms, making it easy to tune in from anywhere with minimal technical hassle.
Keeps Memories Alive: For many older listeners, the music played on Radio Caroline Flashback can spark memories of special moments in their lives, from first dances and concerts to road trips and social gatherings.
Promotes Well-Being: Music from one’s past can evoke positive emotions, improve mood, and even promote cognitive function, offering mental health benefits.
Cultural Relevance: Listening helps maintain a connection with cultural history and keeps alive the legacy of a revolutionary era in music and broadcasting.
Radio Caroline Flashback isn’t just a station; it’s an experience that preserves and celebrates the sounds and spirit of past decades for those who lived through them and wish to relive their cherished memories.
