unable to send photos via iMessage in Messages app

Ever since the OS update to iOS 18.1.1 I’m unable to send photos in the Messages app via iMessage to contacts who also have iPhones (like my husband and mom)- never had this issue previously. After attempting to send a photo, I get a “Message failed to send” notification. In order to get it to work, I have to:

1. go to Settings > Apps > Messages and toggle off iMessage
2. restart my phone
3. toggle iMessage back on

then I retry the failed photo and it will send via iMessage.

however I am now doing this every time I want to send a photo (I have young kids so this is several times a day).

does anyone have any recommendations or ideas for a longer term solution? I’d rather not have to start sending everything via SMS. Thank you for any advice!