Your cart is currently empty!
Non-Camera Gear Essentials
I donโt really like the way I phrase the title of this blog post, but I canโt think of a better way. What Iโm trying to say is this will be about the gear essentials that I carry in my camera bag that don’t include my camera, lenses, or spare batteries.
Every Day Gear Essentials
The first thing I have is my hand sanitizer. I got it, along with my โcaticornโ key chain holder from Bath and Body Works. The horn lights up and Iโm in love with it. I was quite sad when I saw that the horn was starting to break, but thatโs what I get for not putting it in my bag when we traveled.

The second essential item I carry is my pepper spray. I go out alone in the dark a lot and I want to be safe from wild animals and other people. You can never be too careful these days. Thankfully, I havenโt had to use it, and I hope that I never do. But my husband and I both feel better that I have it.
I am a writer in another life, so I tend to carry pens and paper with me wherever I go, and my camera bag is no exception. In addition to writing stories, I tend to come up with to do lists, content, or other random thoughts that I want to remember, when I least expect it and my memory isnโt that good. So, I just got down my thoughts and try to decipher my chicken scratch when I get home.
When I plan on going out all day, or if my location is further away from home than the Fox Valley, I pack a few snacks. Itโs usually just a couple of granola bars, or something else light, but itโs enough to keep the hanger away until I get home for a more substantial meal.
There are also random toiletries in my bag. Hear me out. I have a couple of packs of Kleenex, a tube of chap stick, a toothbrush, a travel wipe from the airline (mainly because I havenโt taken it out yet), a spare hair tie, and a bunch of band-aids.
To be honest, these are only in my bag because I havenโt taken them out from our recent travels. But Iโm thinking about keeping them in there. I have seasonal allergies, my immune system is garbage, and my nose randomly runs when I come in after being out in the cold. Iโm addicted to chap stick. After I eat, I like to brush the food out of my teeth. Itโs an old habit from when I had braces. And band-aids are always a good idea to carry. I could honestly probably ditch the travel wipe and the hair tie. I have hand sanitizer so I probably donโt need a wipe. My hair is usually up before I leave so I shouldnโt need a spare one of those either.
Seasonal Gear Essentials
One seasonal essential that I carry in my bag is my gloves and my hat. I carry them in the spring and autumn months just in case the weather turns. I live in Wisconsin, so that happens often and I donโt like to be cold.
Another seasonal essential is sunscreen. I have fair skin and I burn easily. I need to wear sunscreen often. Although, thinking about it, I should put sunscreen on in the winter months too, not just in the summer.
why my bag is always heavy. I feel like I should try and take some things out, but Iโm not quite sure what. Do you want to know what camera gear I carry? I can turn that into a blog post later this month if youโre interested.
Essentials I Should Have But Don’t
Even though I need to ditch some things out of my bag, there are a few essentials that I donโt have that I would like to include.
The first is a camera cleaning kit. Or even just a microfiber cloth. I really should get one to include, in case it rains while Iโm out, or the waves splash really high, I just havenโt gotten around to it yet.
The second is a multitool. I took it out because I didnโt want it to get confiscated by the airport and I havenโt put it back in yet. However, the one I have doesnโt have a sharp edge to it, and a blade might be helpful.
What do you carry in your bag? What are your essential items that you canโt go on photography adventures without?