The Things
They Keep

Interviewing

Copywriting

Photography

Print Design

© Emma Barbee 2023

Older people tend to keep and collect items coming from either their childhoods, their young adult years, or the years in which their own current families began to develop. Many who keep these items keep them for a reason, whether that be a certain situation in which the item was produced, or a story that goes along with the item that allows them to relive the past. These items often go overlooked as they collect dust in the basement and bedroom drawers of their collectors. 

The Things They Keep was my 2021 graduation thesis project consisting of a hardback book including an introduction, 11 interviews of collectors over the age of 65 including recreated photos of their collections, outward research, and a detailed look at hoarding disorder. Accompanying the book is a 10-minute video explaining my process and allowing the interviewees to share their stories by mouth, which you can view at the bottom of this page.

This project was a labor of love and was the most satisfying work I have done to this date, because of how it allowed me to connect to those around me: collectors of memories.