The Heirloomist

100 Treasures and the Stories They Tell

By Shana Novak

A warm, inviting celebration of beloved keepsakes and the stories they hold. A set of old apartment keys, a pair of worn running shoes, a declaration of love scribbled on a restaurant receipt. Beautiful stories that celebrate the power an object can hold are at the heart of The Heirloomist by photographer Shana Novak, creator of the project of the same name, dedicated to documenting keepsakes and transforming them into uniquely meaningful works of art.

The 100 objects featured here range from the everyday to the extraordinary. Treasured heirlooms to their owners, ordinary folks and cultural figures alike, they hold remarkable stories, such as:

• Nora McInerny on the fork that began her relationship with her late husband.
• The sculpture that inspired Christy Turlington to fight for maternal healthcare.
• The charm bracelet Nate Berkus gifted his daughter in a stylish family tradition.
• Rosanne Cash’s love for her children represented by baby shoes.
• Andrew Zimmern’s inherited steel carving set that began a storied career in food.

Big or small, expensive or humble, we all have meaningful items with powerful messages behind them. Celebratory, sentimental, and bursting with heart, The Heirloomist offers a glimpse into the treasures we hold dear and how they inform the stories of our lives. 

Shana Novak is an established commercial still life photographer based in New York City. She has collaborated with brands such as Coca-Cola, Procter and Gamble, Bloomingdale's, and FedEx. As The Heirloomist, Shana brings a mix of professional polish and heart to her craft, ensuring that every client is treated to an expert level of quality and visual storytelling.

In April 2024, The Heirloomist, in collaboration with Chronicle Books, welcomed her first book, 100 Treasures and the Stories They Tell.