Maybe the box isn’t magic. But, the fishing box I converted to carrying all the support items as a wedding photographer made me seem like a magician to my wedding clients. More magic always led to more referrals.

From fishing tackle box to magic box

I tried many different containers over the years. I started small and found that I kept needing more and more space. At each wedding, whenever I was asked for something that I didn’t already have, I made sure it was there at the next event. The box I ended up with turned out to be, as Goldilocks said, “Just right.” Mine was about 8 x 17 inches and 9 inches deep.

A sampling of some of the extra materials I brought to wedding photography events to enhance my service.

Magic box contents

Over the years, the contents of the box grew, from the basics to more advanced items. It got to a point when anything was needed by almost anyone at the wedding, the call went out to, “Check with the wedding photographer, I’ll bet that he has it!”

Edibles

  • Breath mints
  • Mint gum
  • Crackers

Hair care

  • Multiple brushes
  • Mirror
  • Hair spray
  • Bobbie pins (multiple colors)
  • Hair clips
  • Scrunchies
  • Scissors
  • Electric razor

Repair materials

  • Safety pins (multiple sizes)
  • Static Guard Spray
  • Lint brush/Sticky sheets
  • Small clamps
  • Shoelaces
  • Earring backs
  • Sewing kit/tape measure
  • Tape

Personal care

  • Tampax and pads
  • Tooth brush and tooth paste
  • Hemorrhoid ointment
  • Deodorant
  • Baby powder
  • Razor
  • Tissues
  • Wipes
  • Q-tips/Cotton swabs
  • Red Cross toothache medication
  • Refilit tooth filling material
Detail of the magic box of wedding day saving materials.

Protection

  • Sunscreen
  • First aid kit
  • Band aids in different sizes
  • Cleansing wipes
  • Gauze pads

Make-up

  • Hand cream
  • Eye shadow
  • Personal skin toners/blush
  • Make-up Brushes
  • Lip Gloss
  • Clear nail polish
  • Mascara
  • Nail file/Emory board

How to source your magic box/wedding photographer kit

A simple tackle box filled witht he right materials saved many a day during my wedding photography time. If I was setting this up for today I’d dress up the outside of the box with my logo and some other art to make it more visible.

Head to the sporting good department for your tackle box. A tool box might work as well depending upon what is in your kit.

To fill it go to the larger drug stores you can find personal sizes of LOTS of stuff. There is usually a section with travel items at $1 – $3. The Dollar Store can be a good spot as well. Not shown in this kit, but I also carried a couple of tuxedo shirts and spare black shoes. You know, just in case there was a shortage when the tux delivery was made. There was more, but you get the idea.

I found the more I could be of service and “Johnny-on-the-spot,” the smoother the wedding went and the more referrals I received from clients and wedding planners.

Yours in Creative Photography, Bob