Black Cat Studio

04/16/2026

Some of the most important moments in life live inside old photographs, tiny hands in yours, grandparents smiling in the background, birthdays, holidays, everyday memories that mean everything now. Over time, those photos fade, tear or get damaged... But the moments don't have to. At Black Cat Studio, we carefully restore and recover your most meaningful images, bringing back the faces, the details, and the feeling of being right here again. every photo is handled with precision and respect, because we know these aren't just pictures, they are your family story: From childhood memories to treasured moments with grandparents, we help you hold onto what matters most. So, if you have a photo or photos that deserve to be seen again, call us, or come over to see your options. Let's bring those memories back to life.

03/18/2026

Restoring history, one line at a time.

At Black Cat Studio in Novato, CA, we had the honor of working on a rare and meaningful project: the restoration of original drawings from the Marin Civic Center, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright himself.

These weren’t just documents, they were pieces of architectural legacy. Time had left its mark: fading ink, yellowed paper, and fragile surfaces. Our goal was simple in principle but demanding in execution—preserve the integrity of every line, every note, every intention, while carefully bringing the drawings back to life.

Using specialized conservation techniques, we stabilized the materials, enhanced legibility, and ensured these works can continue to be studied, appreciated, and preserved for future generations.

Projects like this remind us why restoration matters. It’s not about making something look new it’s about respecting its past and protecting its future.

03/17/2026

A piece of American Civil War history comes through the studio... a Confederate States of America war bond from 1861, issued under the C.S. Loan of August 19, 1861. Each coupon represents $4 in six-month interest payments on a $100 bond, redeemable at 8% per annum. Signed, entered, and recorded in Columbia, S.C.
These never got paid out. The Confederacy collapsed before redemption ever came. The paper outlasted the government that printed it.
This is what lands on our table at Black Cat Studio. not just photos and fine art prints, but actual history. Documents, artifacts, heirlooms. Things people need preserved, scanned, and handled with care. Every piece that comes through here has a story that existed long before we touched it. Our job is to make sure it survives a little longer.

03/02/2026

If you've been sitting on a project, artwork to photograph, prints to make, slides to scan, a headshot you keep meaning to update... Let's jut get it done. Free consultation. No pressure. We've been in Marin since 1980 and we are still here because we do good work for people who care about quality.

415 884 2330

Black Cat Studio offers digital photography, fine art, and photo printing and imaging to discerning clients in the San Francisco Bay area.

02/24/2026

A gentle reminder: Your memories don't get safer by waiting. If you have been meaning to scan old prints, slides, or negatives, we can help you do it with care and deliver both hi-res and web-friendly files.

02/24/2026

If you are a parent or grandparent, those "ordinary" photos become the valuable ones later. We can help you preserve them now, before time does what it does...

02/19/2026

Old photos with creases, stains, or scratches? We can restore hem digitally, then print a clean version you will actually want to frame and pass down. Credit Suzy Hazelwood.

02/18/2026

Studio Hours (so you can actually plan your week):
Mon-Thu 9am-5pm and Fri 9am-4pm.
On weekends by appointment only.

02/17/2026

A quick Marin Truth: We are surrounded by beauty, and we get used to it. Printing one favorite landscape is a way to keep noticing.

02/17/2026

Not everything powerful needs to be loud. Sometimes it's just light in the dark. A detail. A gaze. A moment you almost missed. At Black Cat Studio, we believe the quiet details matter the most, in art, in photographs, in the memories you choose to keep. When you are ready to bring yours into de light, we're here in Novato.