PRESERVE YOUR PAST — Local services in New York

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...

It was a real pleasure to meet and do business with Sebastian. Originally I expected the place to be just another photo lab but instead I walked into a real artist's studio was given a lecture on history and architecture of the Lower East Side illustrated with amazing historic photographs that I've never seen before, offered a glass of wine, had my photo albums inspected and quizzed on the history of my family.

Sebastian explained clearly how the restoration process works and what the final results will be, and how much it will cost. He even recommended that I contact two other places to compare prices and services. Needles to say I was sold.

It took some time for Sebastian to scan and retouch over three hundred photos, many of which I assumed to be beyond any hope, but he did an amazing job and most of the photos came out as good as they were before our family albums including my parents beautiful wedding album were ruined when out basement got flooded after the storm.

My parents and everyone else were overjoyed when after the Thanksgiving dinner we were able to view the photograph on the large screen TV. All of us are grateful to Sebastian for saving the precious pieces of our family history and making them available for...

Sebastian was able to restore my grandmother’s photograph that all other places refused to work on and he did a great job!!! My grandmother was heartbroken then an old photograph of her oldest friend got wet and stuck to the glass. I must have called a dozen places and not a single of them could help. I was told to scan and email the picture or told right away that they can do nothing. I was about to give up then I called Sebastian. Apparently he had done such work many times before and all I had to do was bring the photograph to his studio. Right before the New Year he emailed me the restored picture and asked to come by to pick up the print. I could not believe that he was able to retouch it so well! He also made it a bit larger to fit into a regular size frame and explained what kind of frame to get so if something happens the picture would not get damaged again. I really recommend Sebastian, he is a real expert and super nice...