How I Keep the Studio Clean and Safe || Austin, TX Newborn Photographer
Unless you live under a rock, I’m sure you are aware of the concern (and growing panic) caused by Covid-19. I figured now is the perfect time to go over how I keep my studio safe and clean for my precious little clients and their families. These safety and cleaning procedures have always been in place…not just added due to the recent scare. I hope this helps ease the worry for my new moms and dads.
I feel it’s important to note that I have an appointment-only studio so the number of people that actually come into the space is very limited (typically only 1-2 families per day). I hate math, but statistically-speaking that has to be way safer then say, a grocery store or pediatrician’s waiting room. And the people coming here aren’t sick. I strongly advise clients to reschedule if someone in their family has any symptoms of a communicable disease (fever, sneezing, coughing, runny nose). Not only is that just common sense, no one wants photos of a miserable, crusty-nosed baby. I’m super flexible with my schedule so PLEASE RESCHEDULE!
All new clothing items, posing fabrics and wraps are washed before use. The majority are washed in the washing machine with All Free & Clear detergent. If it is a super delicate material it is hand washed with Woolite. Posing fabrics and wraps are usually dried in the dryer and outfits and delicate materials are line dried. All of the items I purchase are designed specifically for use by photographers with newborn babies ….super soft, safe, and comfortable.
Who cares about washing brand new clothing? We all know this stuff gets pooped and peed on all the time. What then? Yes, shit happens. Often. But I do my best to avoid it happening on my props. If I pose a baby in a prop with delicate, hard to clean fluffy stuff, there’s usually a folded up diaper or hospital pad (like a puppy pad but without certain chemicals) under their bottom to keep it contained. Any fabric that touches a baby’s skin, with or without accidents, gets washed after their session. My posing fabrics usually take the brunt of the 💩and 💧mishaps so they get washed in the washing machine. Tough stains are pre-washed with Dawn dish soap (that stuff is AHmazing at getting out stains) and then a full wash in the machine with All Free & Clear. Poo-'d on fabric gets washed twice. And yes, having a washer and dryer in the studio is one of my favorite things so now I don’t have to lug bags of laundry home and back anymore! 🤗
Babies that are 6 months old and up drool a lot and put everything in their mouths so those outfits get washed and any props/toys that get gnawed on (rubber duckies anyone? ) and the tub get thoroughly cleaned and bleached.
5. In the restroom I have a large changing table with a supply of disposable hospital pads. Do I need to mention there is soap and water to wash your hands AND hand sanitizer? I don’t want to leave anything out. 😝After every session the changing table, sink, and toilet gets wiped down with Clorox Wipes. And once a week the restroom and studio floor gets a deep steam cleaning.
6. I regularly clean my equipment (camera, lens, etc) with alcohol wipes. Sometimes I go to local hospitals for sessions and I always make sure to wipe everything down before returning to the studio.
7. Let’s see….what else? I wash my hands a LOT. I have a pretty strong immune system from being a daycare provider for a bazillion years and then a public middle school teacher for a mere 11 years. I’m also up to date on my immunizations. And I’m old so I don’t have school-aged kids bringing all of that crud home any more. I do have a lot of allergies though, so if I sniffle, don’t freak out. 😵
I can assure you that my studio is one of the safest, cleanest places you can bring your baby…. even during the Covid-19 Apocalypse of 2020. But if you still have concerns, please don’t hesitate to discuss them with me.
Love,
Jessica 💜😷
