AI Restoration
See the difference
Drag the slider to compare an original scan to our AI-enhanced version.
Before
After
Old photos fade. VHS tapes degrade a little more every year. We pick up your originals locally, digitize them with care, and return everything to you — nothing is ever shipped away.
The Process
You'll always know exactly where your originals are.
Call, text, or email — or just text a photo of your box so I can give you an instant quote.
We coordinate a convenient pickup time near you. No shipping, no strangers handling your memories.
Each photo is scanned carefully. Optional AI-assisted enhancement brings faded colors back to life.
Your originals return safe and sound, along with organized digital files ready to share.
AI Restoration
Drag the slider to compare an original scan to our AI-enhanced version.
Why Digitize?
Not stuck in a box — ready to share, anytime, with anyone.
Keep your favorite photos at your fingertips for the moments that matter.
Share a memory in seconds — no apps, no scanning, no digging through boxes.
Surprise them with a throwback on Facebook — right when it counts.
Turn old photos into a rotating slideshow you'll enjoy every single day.
What We Do
From a few shoeboxes to a lifetime of albums — we handle it all.
Transparent Pricing
No surprises. Send me a photo of what you have and I'll give you a ballpark estimate before anything starts.
Photos
Video Tapes
Not sure what you have? Reach out and I'll help you figure out the right fit.
How You Receive Your Files
Your digital files are organized and easy to access. Files are delivered on an engraved Memories flash drive nestled in a keepsake tin — a physical copy you can hold, share, and use on your own terms.
For smaller projects, a short-term download link is also available as an alternative. Either way, there's no cloud subscription, no app to install, and no ongoing service to manage.
The flash drive in a keepsake tin also makes a wonderful gift for family members who may not be comfortable with technology.
Start Your Project
About
Photal Recall is a local Iowa City area business run by me — Troy Ferring. When you hand me your memories, you're not sending them to a warehouse or a stranger across the country. You're handing them to a neighbor.
With over 25 years of experience in insurance and information technology, I understand what trust, security, and attention to detail really mean — especially when handling one-of-a-kind originals. After two years as a stay-at-home dad, I'm returning to the workforce and bringing that same care and patience to every single project.
Have questions before you start? Just call or text. I pick up.
FAQ
Still wondering? Just text me — I respond quickly.
No — projects are handled locally. Pickup and delivery are coordinated directly with you in the Iowa City area. Your originals never leave the region.
Absolutely not. Your originals are kept together and handled as a single project from the moment I pick them up until I return them. They never touch another customer's collection.
Most projects are completed within 1–2 weeks depending on volume. After I see what you have, I'll give you a realistic timeline and keep you updated throughout.
Not at all. Hand me a shoebox, a stack of albums, or a mix of everything. If you have a preference for how files are named or organized, just let me know and I'll follow it.
You get your originals back, plus organized digital files on an engraved flash drive in a keepsake tin. For smaller projects a short-term download link is also available. There's no cloud service, no app, and no subscription — just your files, ready to use.
Preservation captures the photo exactly as it is — the archival record. Enhanced adds AI-assisted correction for color, contrast, and brightness on faded or aged photos; you receive both versions. For photos with serious damage — tears, water stains, heavy fading — Manual Restoration involves careful hand-editing plus AI enhancement for the best possible result.
VHS and standard consumer camcorder formats. Not sure what you have? Send me a photo of the tape and I'll identify it instantly.
Yes — there's a $99 project minimum. A small collection of 100 photos at the preservation rate comes to around $24, so smaller collections are best combined with tapes or additional photos to reach the minimum. Not sure if your collection qualifies? Just text me a photo of what you have and I'll tell you instantly.