My senior emergency kit has evolved over the last few years. I would periodically add items as I saw what was truly needed and also tried to anticipate worst case scenarios. This is quite the list now, so I will do my best to keep it from getting too boring or overwhelming. Remember, this kit was put together based on my own professional experience and the type of clients that tend to hire me. You can absolutely tailor yours according to your own client base and even your region of the country. For example, here in Charlotte, NC, we don't get hardly any snow. I bring bug spray and water all the way into November. If you're located somewhere up North, you might need to include items like blankets for in between shots.

• Water and snacks. Here in the South, you HAVE to travel with water basically all year round. We've been known to have 80 degree Christmases. I now have a full case in both cars. I tell my clients, especially teens, to have a light snack before their session. But in case they didn't have time or forgot, I don't want anyone fainting or overheating. So water and snacks are a must.
• First Aid Kit. Kind of a given, especially after my incident at the lake. Lol. Honestly, this should probably just be in everyone's car for the heck of it!
• Bug spray and ointment. A few years ago, I did a BFF session for a few local teens. Unfortunately while I was taking a cute photo, one of them had stepped in an ant hill! I felt so so bad!! Ever since, I've had bug/burn/bite cream on me. I also once got stung by a wasp on the arm right before a shoot and it hurt to hold my camera. So yeah. I'm prepared now. Bug spray is also essential around here. When a senior tells me they want a "natural" location, I go ahead and warn them of all the mosquitos and gnats. Lol. Actually, I had a senior get bit by ants last Fall during a city shoot, thanks to a litterbug who tossed their banana peel to the side, and we didn't even see it. Bugs happen, y'all. Gotta be ready.
• Safety pins. So fun story... this past Fall on a senior shoot, I was waiting on my client when I noticed another senior with her mom nearby. They were with their photographer but were clearly having trouble with something. The mom walked up to me and asked, "You wouldn't happen to have a safety pin would you?" I felt so proud of myself as I grinned and said, "Actually I do!" She was so grateful, and her senior was so thankful. Guys, even if your client has tried on their outfits a bajillion times, things happen. I now travel with multiple sizes so I'm prepared for any kind of wardrobe emergency.
• Defrizz spray, bobby pins, and hair brush. If you've had the pleasure of experiencing the humidity of North Carolina, then you know the kind of havoc it can wreak on hair. Yes, I work with some of the area's best hair and makeup artists, but no product is a match for the summer heat here. By the time the first hour is up, hair is either falling flat or starting to frizz up. I finally spent my last year ever trying to combat this issue, and I have officially added some defrizz spray and hair spray for girls like me who have fine hair that falls flat. Bobby pins are also a great way to change up a look in two seconds. Pin a few strands back with a different outfit, and you have a new vibe. Hair brush for obvious reasons. ;)
• Lint roller. Is your client an animal lover? You're gonna need this. Lol
• Neutral-ish Lip Color. Thanks to the aforementioned heat and the sips of water that follow, lip color is bound to start fading. I've also had seniors get hungry mid-session which of course means all lipstick applied by the makeup artist is gone. My artists will often send some with the senior for these specific cases, but just in case, I now have a lipstick on standby. And no worries, one of my main artists, Sarah, gave me a bunch of lip applicators, so lip color is applied safely with no risk of germ swapping.
• Clamps. If you're one of my past or current seniors, then you know I have a style closet exclusively offered to them. Not every piece of clothing fits exactly to everyone's figure. Last summer, I had a mom realize she wanted her dress to flatter her waistline a bit better. After that, I added clamps to my senior emergency kit. I've used these guys in the past on styled shoots when my team modeled some gowns for Lily Rose. They're so helpful and worth having on hand.

• Tide pen. Speaking of clothing, there's nothing worse than sitting in a white dress and getting dirt or grass stains! The stain remover pens are essential in keeping my seniors from accidentally ruining their favorite light colored outfits.
• Towels. This past Fall was absolutely the season of water-loving-seniors. It seemed like after Matthew's session, every senior I had wanted to include water somehow. AND I AM HERE FOR IT. Yes, it got a little chilly. Yes, my butt was soaked by the end. But I was prepared. I started bringing along extra towels, both for myself and for my senior. My only other suggestion for seniors would be to bring a cozy outfit to change into after the water (including underwear and socks!), because I had a few seniors have to drive home a little wet and cold. Lol. But hey, it was worth it!!