drive through the warning signs;;
Wildlings, you’re back on Wildlore! We’ve all been there – you get to a photo shoot or a wedding and something gets forgotten or goes haywire. Heck, even I’ve been there a few times. I decided a few years ago that I wasn’t interested in not being prepared anymore and have been refining my emergency kit ever since! As I believe that sharing is caring, this is my personal checklist for my emergency kit that I keep with me for all kinds of photo sessions. Whether you are a photographer, a future newlywed/wedding party participant or a client of mine, you can check out this list to prepare your own emergency kit or simply know that I am prepared!
Personally, I repurposed an old makeup tool box that was gifted to me many years ago to house the bulk of my emergency kit. I always recommend getting creative with this kind of thing, even if you’re an aesthetically motivated person like I am! As long as you can keep it organized *enough*, you’ll be golden.
Most of these items can be purchased as sample or travel sizes as well, which I recommend to save on space and waste. This is especially true with items that expire, like OTC medications, consumables and items that are ”contaminated” after use. For example, I keep bamboo toothbrushes in my emergency kit, as they will not be returned to me and if they are thrown away after one use, they are better for the environment than plastic toothbrushes! Plus, I buy them in bulk (because I use them at home) so they’re less expensive. It’s a win-win!
To make your kit accessible for most folks and situations, you can keep in mind factors like common allergens, size/color differentiations and even common brand differences, like having a phone charger that is compatible with both iPhones and Androids. The more diverse and well thought out your items are, the more accessible your kit becomes for all kinds of situations and needs. Another recommendation for your kit as a whole is to have a list attached that you can refer back to when you’re looking for solutions quickly or replenishing items. Speaking of a handy list, let’s get into mine!
the hygiene + the health
Hygiene + Health items are the most used and easiest items to supply in my emergency kit. These are items that the “mom friend” always seems to have on them, am I right? This includes chapstick, hand sanitizer, tissues, a first aid kit and a nail maintenance kit as some basics. I always include some over the counter medications like ibuprofen + acetaminophen (as some folks can only take one of the two), tums, pepto bismol and cough drops!
Then, we have the feminine hygiene items, which I make sure to have different sizes included because everyone’s bodies are different. Spray deodorant is a must and sticking with a spray rather than a roll helps cut down on my single use items! Also included are Q-Tips, floss, bamboo toothbrushes, and unscented lotion for our scent sensitive friends. Then, I make sure I have wipes, stain remover and lint rollers for the little accidents or missed details while we are out during sessions to keep us clean and looking our best!
- Spray deodorant
- Chapstick
- First aid kit
- Nail file/ kit
- Sanitizer
- Tissues
- Gum/Mints
- Floss + Bamboo toothbrushes
- Lotion
- Liners
- Tampons
- Pads
- Q-tips
- Tums
- Ibuprofen
- Cough drops
- Pepto Bismol
- Wet wipes
- Lint roller
- Tide pens
the beauty
Beauty items are the next thing I like to consider in my emergency kit. Having a cache of extra hair ties, bobby pins and claw clips in different shades are just a couple of items I find myself reaching for more often than you’d expect. Hair spray, dry shampoo, defrizz spray and combs are also super helpful in a pinch for touch ups, especially if the weather isn’t on our side.
Makeup remover + nail polish remover are essential to last minute fixes and I like to keep a hand mirror in the kit for all of these as well. Lastly, a few absolute staples for wedding beauty emergency items are fashion tape, boob tape + a comprehensive sewing kit. I mean, if you know, you know.
- Hair ties
- Claw clips
- Bobby pins
- Hair spray
- Dry shampoo
- Comb
- Defrizz spray*
- Hand mirror
- Fashion tape
- Nail polish remover
- Make up remover
- Sewing kit
the weather
If you know me, you know that the absolute bane of my profession is the WEATHER. I wouldn’t say I’m a control freak by any means but sometimes, the weather do be doing it’s own thing and I just have to roll with it. With that in mind, I have a few weather specific items that are always in my kit or in my car so that I can work WITH the weather rather than against it.
With rain, I have a handful of clear umbrellas, a pair of rain boots + a poncho. I also keep a rain cover for my camera handy as well. If it’s hotter than Hades, I’m always equipped with sunscreen + hand fans! My favorite purchase was these hand fans from Five Below – a true lifesaver during those heat waves and no, this is not sponsored. I also keep bug spray, plastic shopping bags, cheap flip flops and old towels in my car/kit for those more “adventurous” sessions. IYKYK.
- Hand Fans
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
- Flip flops
- Umbrellas
- Rain Boots
- Rain Coat
- Towels
- Plastic bags
the overlooked
Now, maybe you’re thinking, “Jess, how could there be MORE helpful items in this kit?” Well, this is the part where I talk about obscure or overlooked kit items that I personally have used and loved! Capisce? As I mentioned before, I try to keep a couple of phone chargers handy for whoever needs them. That isn’t obscure by any means but it is the most overlooked item that I use the most often!
I always have a pair of scissors, a lighter and washcloths in my kit too, which are both overlooked and diverse when you’re in a pinch. For example, I often make sure there is at least one washcloth in my camera bag for drying the ends of bouquets on wedding days! Speaking of which, I like to keep few items in my kit for “aesthetic emergencies”, like hangers, blankets and pretty pens! Last but not least, I keep clear nail polish with me, not just for nail touch ups but to stop rips + runs in nylons! Who knew?
- Phone charger
- Scissors
- Clear nail polish
- Lighter
- Washcloths
- Aesthetic pens
- Hangers
- Blankets
the photographer
Lastly, I’m going to touch on photography specific supplies so if you’re not a photographer, keep scrolling. Are you still here? Excellent. The obvious gear staples are a tripod, reflectors, flashes and batteries. I am not a photographer who uses a lot of gear outside of my camera typically so these things are all auxiliary on my end but I like to have them with me just in case.
There is always an extra dual camera harness in my car, either for my assistant or if mine breaks. I have also started keeping a kneeling board in my car! You can purchase these in the garden section of your local convenience store. These are great for sessions when you’ll be on the ground for any prolonged period of time or the ground is not a place you’d like to put your body without a buffer. I also recommend clamps + command hooks for hanging wedding dresses at tricky venues. Sometimes, you’ve got to get creative and now you’ll be prepared to do so! Some photographers bring a flat lay kit with them – I have a roll of backdrops handy but I’m a little more photojournalistic when it comes to details so that’s all I keep!
- Batteries
- Clamps
- Tripod
- Reflector
- Harness (2)
- Plastic rain cover*
- Command hooks
- Kneeling board
- Flat lay back drops
And now you’re thinking, “WOW, what a prepared boss babe!” Don’t make me blush! In all seriousness, I do try but this is mainly from years of feeling under prepared in some way, shape or form that I now have a full system in place. Unsurprisingly, I add to this list every year and still run into tiny emergencies along the way. I say this because it’s important to keep in mind that stuff happens, whether you are ready for it or not, and you’ll find a way through it. So whether you’re sighing with relief because you’re my client and you know you’re covered or you’re taking notes to build your own kit, know that preparation is excellent but creativity is key! Have fun with it and let me know if you think I missed anything!
Stay wild, stay tuned and don’t forget your bug out bag!
