SEBASTIAN WINTERMUTE STUDIO

A Z

My mother asked to find a place where we could get our family pictures scanned and restored and I have heard of Mr. Wintermute from fiends but this was the first time I have ever used his services. I am writing this review on my mothers behalf. Sebastian took his time with us and was considerate and patient with all of us (and we have a large, multinational family). His small studio is in immaculate condition and he is easy to work with and made us feel comfortable throughout the entire long project. My mother is in love with the photographs he restored! He even helped us pick out the right frames for my mother’s room wall. She always tells me, “When in a morning I see my parents beautiful wedding photo it always makes my day.” The prices were more expensive than at other places we contacted, but I have to tell you what the quality, the personal service, and actual photographs were all worth it.

Kylie Madhav

I'm still trying to reconcile the overwhelmingly positive reviews Sebastian has received on Google with my experience interacting with him. Last week, I emailed Sebastian to see if we might set up a time to discuss restoring an old photograph of my grandparents. I immediately knew that something was off when he replied to me stating that he is not taking any new clients because of the NYC mayor's vaccination requirement for indoor activities. In the body of the same email, he suggested that I forward any "complains" (sic) to the mayor of New York or the governor of California. Yes, that California, a state several thousand miles away from where Sebastian operates....... I'm not kidding. This actually happened and I've included a screenshot of Sebastian's email with this review. Not wanting to wade into a pointless political conversation, I let Sebastian know that I was still interested in working with him since he, according to his email, makes exceptions for WWII veterans among other groups of people. My grandfather fought in WWII, so I forwarded Sebastian information on his enlistment as per Sebastian's request. After several days of back and forth, Sebastian then suggests out of the blue that I work with another studio to which he provided the website... No explanation was given, and this was AFTER I forwarded him personal information pertaining to my grandfather's enlistment in WWII. When I asked him why he was referring me elsewhere after I'd complied with the conditions that he had set, Sebastian didn't even bother to respond. This was truly among the strangest and most unpleasant interactions that I've ever had with a company. I actually wondered if someone had hacked Sebastian's email, because, if not, it is truly difficult to imagine why Sebastian would be so intent on sabotaging his own business. I don't understand Sebastian's behavior, but I do know that my grandfather - who fought for this country at a time when Black people like him were still subject to Jim Crow codes throughout the country - deserved much better treatment.

A T

My wife and I recently hired Mr. Wintermute to catalog and scan a closetful of old family photographs and records, some well over 150 year old. He was courteous and professional, diligent and very attentive to all of our requests. After he was done scanning the photos and posted them on our Facebook and FamilySearch pages, we selected a few photographs to be enlarged and framed. Mr. Wintermute gave us a few recommendations, worked hard to restore the photographs to perfection and presented us with beautiful prints. We will, without a doubt, recommend Mr. Wintermute to anyone who is looking for a talented photo restoration artist to save their family treasures.

Margaret Sullivan

Sebastian has helped me with a number of family wedding photo restoration projects this year and I've been thrilled with the results each time. In one case, I needed a color fix -- an old print had faded and become discolored (my mother-in-law's blond hair had turned bright orange, etc.). Through his magic he was able to bring back the original color, making it look like the photo had been snapped yesterday. In another, he was able to take an old black and white print damaged by water -- ripped and peeling, even across parts of my father in law's face -- and make it look as though nothing had ever happened. On top of his obvious skill as a restorer, he's responsive, professional and kind. I was nervous at first to part with these treasures, but now consider Sebastian my go-to trusted source on anything photo restoration. He takes enormous care and delivers impressive results.