Restoring a WWII Legacy: Grandpa Van's Portrait

Every photo has a story, and this one carries a legacy.

Eric reached out to me recently through Facebook with a very special request. He had a 9x11½ portrait of his grandfather in his U.S. Air Force uniform—an original WWII photograph—and asked if I might be able to restore it. Along with the restoration, he was also interested in a colorized version to bring the image to life in a new way.

The photo he sent was beautifully preserved for its age, but it did have a few challenges—faded tones, surface dust, and an inscription in the top left corner that he asked to be removed. With some digital care and attention to detail, I was able to restore the photo while keeping its authentic character intact. Eric also let me know this was a first-generation Air Force uniform, which helped guide the colorizing process to ensure historical accuracy.

Below you can see the original black-and-white photograph, followed by the final restored and colorized version of “Grandpa Van.”

Original scan of the WWII photo

Restored and colorized portrait

Eric shared afterward: “It turned out SO much better than I hoped! I'm looking forward to sending you more in the future!”

Right now, I’m offering a $5 digital restoration special for anyone who needs help breathing new life into their treasured family photos. Most projects are completed within 2–3 days, depending on image quality and complexity.

If you have a photo that’s torn, faded, discolored, or just needs a little love, I’d be honored to help you restore it.

📧 Email: maleandadesigns@gmail.com

📍Based in New Braunfels, TX – working with clients everywhere

🖼️ Photo restoration + optional colorizing available

Preserve the memories. Share the stories. Pass them on.

—Misty