Welcome to A Colourful History!

My name is Kelly Bonato, and my passion lies in Australian history. We meticulously edit and colourise historical and family photographs, reviving cherished memories with a fresh perspective.

Let us know if you're interested in restoring or adding colour to your photographs or bringing a historical touch to your home or office with one of my prints. We’d be delighted to bring a unique and vibrant charm to your memories and spaces.

Each print tells a story, blending nostalgia with modern vibrancy.

Beyond prints, we welcome commissions to personalise your photographs, ensuring every detail is captured and celebrated. Trust us to bring your memories to life with a unique and artistic flair. Choose quality, sentiment, and timeless connection with the past—choose A Colourful History for your colourisation needs.

By the way, we’ve meticulously edited and colourised hundreds of Australian historical photographs, so on this website there are just a few to select from. Why not explore the full collection on the A Colourful History Facebook page for a comprehensive view? If you’re interested in any of those images, please feel free to reach out.

The original black and white image was sourced from the State Library of South Australia (B 7798/189)

Our Services

  • Restoration

    Safeguard the essence of your cherished family photos by entrusting them to our restoration expertise. No blemish is too minor when preserving those special moments. Utilising cutting-edge technology, we can scan, restore and enhance your photograph. Our restoration process ensures the creation of enhanced copies, ready to be archived and shared for generations.

    Consider these restored photos a beautiful and thoughtful gift, encapsulating the timeless essence of your memories.

    The original black and white image was sourced from the State Library of South Australia (B 5456).

  • Colourisation

    Revitalise your photos with our colourisation service, which is ideal for heavily faded prints or to achieve a charming hand-coloured aesthetic. You can check out our beautiful digital art collection on the A Colourful History Facebook page; our process is meticulously tailored to each image, ensuring a beautiful and customised result.

    Pricing is determined by the complexity of the photo and the extent of colourisation required. Our comprehensive service includes scanning, if necessary, the final digitally enhanced image will be conveniently provided via our Dropbox.

    Choose us to infuse your memories with vibrant hues, preserving the beauty of each image with care and precision.

    The original black and white image was sourced from the State Library of South Australia (7798/646).

  • Colourised Historic Prints

    Explore the A Colourful History Facebook page to peruse an extensive collection of colourised historical photos capturing the essence of South Australia.

    From numerous towns and suburbs to diverse topics such as transport, notable individuals, aircraft, pioneers, automobiles, and historical events. Our collection offers a rich tapestry of our shared past.

    All photos are available for purchase as A4 or A3 prints or framed, allowing you to bring a piece of South Australian history into your space.

    The original black and white image was sourced from the State Library of South Australia (B 7798/477).

Our Pricing

Restoration

The extent of damage to a photo will determine both the time and cost of the final restored image. While each image is individually assessed, the following categories can be helpful to provide an understanding of the restoration costs:

Low - Fading, small marks, minor damage: starts at $29.95

Medium - Large creases or damage, staining: starts at $59.95

High - Large areas of damage and cracking: begin at $89.95

Our pricing incorporates the initial scanning, digital restoration work, and a digital copy of your restored image (accessed via Dropbox).

Colourisation

Why not elevate your photos with vibrant colourisation? Our process utilises software rather than traditional photo painting methods, ensuring a sophisticated and personalised result for each image.

The pricing structure is contingent on the photo's complexity and the extent of colourisation required, reflecting our commitment to delivering beautiful outcomes tailored to your unique needs.

Colourisation services encompass a complimentary scan, if necessary, with the resulting digital file provided back to you via Dropbox.

If you would like to commission a colourised image, a personalised quote will be provided before the commencement.

Our prices begin at $99.95, covering colourisation exclusively.

Should your photo require restoration alongside colourisation, your quote will encompass colourisation and restoration pricing.

Colourised Historic Prints

A Colourful History is driven by a profound passion for our shared South Australian history. 

Within our colourised collection, accessible via our Facebook page, you'll discover many images capturing South Australia's essence during the 1800s and early 1900s. Our collection covers fascinating topics, from Adelaide's early cityscape to the charm of our country towns and picturesque landscapes to the people who helped build our great state. 

All printing is conducted in-house. We exclusively use premium materials, such as Ilford Galerie 310 gsm paper for a superior colourised finish. At an additional cost, we can provide a framing service, offering customisable options to meet your preferences.

Our mission is to infuse your home or office with a touch of history in colour, establishing a connection between the past and present that enriches your surroundings. The cost of one of our colourised prints is: 

A4 (210 x 297 mm) in Ilford Galerie 310 gsm paper is $29.95, plus postage in Australia. 

A3 (297 x 420 mm) in Ilford Galerie 310 gsm paper is $39.95, plus postage in Australia.

Soon you will also find A Colourful History at various South Australian markets. Check Facebook for regular updates.