Father's Day Gift Idea: Restore an Old Photo of Dad
A meaningful Father's Day gift: restore and colorize old photos of Dad as a boy, at work, in uniform or with his father, then frame or print them.
By Ayoub Farid · · 2 min read
Fathers are famously hard to buy for. A restored old photo solves that: it's personal, it doesn't clutter, and it often sparks stories you've never heard. Here's how to make one in an evening.
Photo ideas
- Dad as a boy: on a bike, at school, with his siblings.
- Dad in his youth: first car, military service, sports team, first job.
- Dad and his father: three generations in one frame with a recent photo of you.
- Dad holding you as a baby: often a faded 1980s or 1990s print.
- His workplace or hometown: the shop, the farm, the street he grew up on (see colorizing landscape photos).
Restore it
- Capture the print in soft daylight, phone parallel (see scanning photos with iPhone).
- In Refixo, tap Restore to remove scratches, creases and fading and to sharpen faces.
- For black and white photos, compare the colorized and B&W versions.
- Check faces and details. If he's in uniform, research the colors (see colorizing military photos).
Gift formats
- Framed print for his desk or workshop.
- Before-and-after in a double frame.
- Three generations: Grandpa, Dad and you, each at about the same age.
- Photo mug or calendar if he likes practical things.
- A small book of restored photos from his life.
Add the stories
Write a short caption or letter with the photo: when it was taken, what you know about it, and why you chose it. Then ask him to tell you more. Many dads open up about their childhood when they see a photo of it.
Timing
Father's Day dates vary by country (for example, March in some countries and June in the US and UK). Start two to three weeks ahead to allow for printing.
A note on late fathers
If your father has passed away, a restored photo of him can be a gift to your mother, siblings or children. See memorial photo restoration.
More: restored photo gift ideas and printing restored photos.
When Dad has no old photos
Some fathers have very few childhood photos: they grew up far away, lost albums in a move, or simply weren't photographed often. In that case, ask his siblings, cousins and old friends, or look for school and team photos through alumni groups. Even one restored photo from his youth can become a treasured gift, precisely because it's so rare.
Frequently asked questions
What's a thoughtful Father's Day gift?
A restored old photo of Dad as a boy, in his youth or with his own father, framed or printed in a small book.
Can I colorize Dad's old military photo?
Yes. Restore and colorize it, then check uniform colors against references.
How long does it take?
Restoring takes seconds per photo. Leave time for finding prints, printing and framing.
What if I can't find the original print?
Ask relatives, or use a digital copy and enhance it (see enhancing low-quality photos).
Restore it in seconds
Bring your old photos back to life
Refixo's AI removes scratches, tears and stains, sharpens faces and colorizes black & white photos in seconds. Free to download on iPhone and iPad, with a 3-day free trial.
Download on theApp Store