When it comes styling a magazine photo shoot, preparation is everything. One of our favorite stylists—Katherine Tucker—is dishing on the essentials in her styling toolbox.

“For prop styling, a good tool kit is super important. My favorite is a Stanley upright rolling toolbox from Lowe’s that is pretty much my little assistant. It contains the basics as well as a few other items, such as Command Strips, cleaning supplies (Magic Eraser: my favorite), wooden shims or “wedgies” for leveling, every test of fishing line you can imagine, a small steamer, low tack tape, laminate tile tape (great double-sided clear tape for heavy-duty things), good scissors, a sewing kit, assorted paintbrushes, white primer paint, glue gun, mini gardening tool kit, hand-held dimmer switch from Ikea, portable speakers (good music on location: important) & of course…I wouldn’t leave home without the iPhone… it’s like the Swiss army knife of our day. Preparation is key to a stress-free workday… even if that means you have to lug around fake ice cubes and such.”

Be sure to check out our profile of Katherine in the upcoming winter issue of fresh style!