It’s that time of year—flu season is here, and right now, West Michigan is experiencing an uptick in Influenza A cases. It feels like nearly every household has been affected by some sort of virus lately, and I’ve definitely seen this reflected in my schedule with more reschedules than usual. I’ve also had some understandable concerns from mommas who want to make sure their little one stays safe during their newborn session. If you’ve booked with me, I want to put your mind at ease—I have strict safety measures in place to protect my tiniest clients, and I take every precaution to maintain a clean, healthy environment. As a Grand Rapids newborn photographer, I know how important it is to keep your baby safe and healthy while capturing those once-in-a-lifetime portraits.
So, what happens if someone in your family (or I) gets sick before your scheduled session? Let’s go over my policies, the precautions I take, and why it’s always okay to reschedule.
Why Newborn Safety is My Top Priority
Bringing a newborn into the world is a beautiful but delicate time. As a parent, you’re doing everything you can to protect your little one from germs, and I want you to know I’m doing the same. My newborn photography studio in Grand Rapids, MI, is designed to provide a calm, cozy, and safe environment for your baby.
Even when flu season isn’t in full swing, I take extensive hygiene measures before, during, and after every session to ensure that every newborn I photograph is in the safest possible hands.
What If Someone in Your Family is Sick?
If you, your baby, or anyone in your household is experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, congestion, or stomach issues, I kindly ask that we reschedule your newborn session. I know this can be frustrating, but newborn health is fragile, and it’s always best to err on the side of caution.
How Rescheduling Works
I leave room in my schedule for flexibility, so if your family is feeling under the weather, we can move your session to a later date. Even though the industry standard recommends photographing newborns between 5-14 days old, I don’t want you to stress if illness delays our session. Your baby’s health always comes first, and there’s no need to worry about missing the “perfect” window. I have successfully photographed newborns up to 28 days old, capturing the same warmth, connection, and beautiful details at every stage. We’ll create stunning images whenever the timing is right. Your baby’s, and your own safety and comfort always come first, and I promise your session will be just as special when everyone is feeling their best.
What If I Am Feeling Unwell?
As a professional newborn photographer in Grand Rapids, I hold myself to the same standards I expect from my clients. If I start feeling sick—whether it’s the flu, a cold, or any other contagious illness—I will immediately reach out to reschedule your session.
I know how much thought and planning goes into booking a newborn photography session, but I will never put your baby at risk. Your little one’s health always comes before my schedule.
How I Keep My Studio Germ-Free
My studio is a safe and sanitized space for newborn photography, and I take every precaution to maintain the highest cleanliness standards. Some of my studio safety measures include:
✅ Frequent handwashing and hand sanitizing before, during, and after each session.
✅ Disinfecting all wraps, blankets, and props after every session.
✅ Using a HEPA air purifier to keep the studio air fresh and clean.
✅ Wearing a mask upon request to provide extra protection for your baby.
✅ Limiting studio visitors to immediate family members only.
These steps help ensure that every baby I photograph stays healthy and comfortable during their session.
Can We Still Capture Beautiful Newborn Photos If We Reschedule?
Absolutely! Newborn photography is about capturing the essence of your baby’s first few weeks—their tiny features, soft expressions, and delicate details. While the ideal window for newborn photos is within the first two weeks, I have plenty of experience photographing older newborns, and I promise we’ll still create gorgeous, timeless images no matter when we shoot.
Even if your baby is a few weeks older, I can still capture all those snuggly, sleepy moments or even some beautiful awake shots that showcase their budding personality.
Final Thoughts: Let’s Keep Your Baby Safe and Capture Beautiful Memories
If your newborn photography session in Grand Rapids needs to be rescheduled due to illness, I want you to know that it’s completely okay. Your baby’s health and safety are my top priority, and I am always flexible when it comes to making sure you have the best experience possible.
If you have any questions about my studio safety measures or need to adjust your session date, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Let’s create something beautiful—when everyone is feeling their best. 💛
xoxo
Jackie
Have questions about booking your newborn session? Contact me here to schedule your session when you and your baby are feeling your best!
What Parents Are Saying
🌟 “Jackie did an amazing job with our newborn. She was calm, patient, and had all the tools/tricks to keep her happy. The photos came out better than we expected and we were so happy with them and the entire experience!” — Kim
🌟 “I absolutely LOVE working with Honeywild Photography! I started with just newborn photos and when I got my images back I quickly decided that I needed to do all of the other milestones with her. She was incredible during the shoot with my daughter and the images I now have are priceless.” — Tia
🌟 “Absolutely love all of the photos we have done through Jackie @ Honeywild Photography!! We have done newborn, sitter milestone, family session, a popup, and now a first birthday and most likely many more in the future!! She provides such a welcoming and warm environment and is so wonderful to work with!! I recommend her 10/10 times when I know someone looking for a newborn photographer and I get so many compliments on all of our photos!!” — Hannah
