There are so many fellow photographers that leave me in awe and truly inspire me. Many of them I call friends and I want to share some them with you. Each photographer that I am featuring has something about them that I truly admire and I adore their work. I hope that you enjoy their work as much as I do and by learning more about them come to appreciate the art of photography even more.
Jackie Charlebois is the owner of Jax Creations in Sandpoint, ID and the surrounding area. I met Jackie on a photography forum (I’ve met some fabulous people that way) and now stalk catch up with her on Facebook and her blog. She is an absolute sweetheart (she sent me the perfect card during a *crappy* time in my life LOL), a mommy, and a successful photographer. Her newborn portraits make me swoon, I’d fly her down here if I could to take pictures when I’m finally blessed with another child. I love her outdoor work with seniors and families and her weddings are stunning.
Who is Jackie? Give me a little bio, please.
Jackie is a quirky, fun, loving, caring, blessed child of God. Anyone can make me happy with a candy bar or pizza and a cute pair of shoes! I am comfortable in my yoga pants and a t-shirt although I love dressing up. In fact if I could live in a costume of some sort, I probably would. If I didn’t have to chase a baby around the house I would be one of those moms in a dress, pearls and heels and a cute apron… but of course, you wont find me in that now…LOL
What type of photography do you specialize in? Why?
I specialize in newborn and children. I also accept 3-5 weddings a year. I love doing newborn and children sessions because there is this magical innocence of it all. I love weddings because honestly I am just a sucker for love.
Why Photography?
Well back in the day my “real” job I was an aesthetician… I loved it – especially when I got to treat skin a.k.a pop pimples… I know its gross but for some odd reason- I love it LOL. I also was a make-up artist at that time. I started working PT for a modeling agency and other photographers. I always loved taking pictures but working along the other photogs, I started learning a lot… when I moved up here in Idaho, my SIL was the one that pushed me into opening a business. I never thought someone would actually PAY ME to do photos of them… sometimes I still feel that way- but I am glad they do because I truly LOVE LOVE this “job”. I really feel blessed!
How would you describe your style?
Hmm. My style. Well most of my work is in the studio – which I love… It works great for newborns and small babies. I would have to say that my style reflects the relationship of the family. The joy of the child, the beauty and the pure sweetness of the babies. I like to capture the moments – whether it’s a baby’s soft wrinkles, fuzzy back, the small details of their hands, or a child running outside, blowing bubbles, jumping on the bed or in a tickle fight with their parents… its all about THAT moment. These kiddos grow SO fast L and its important to keep capturing LIFE!
Do you prefer studio or on-location and why?
I like BOTH. The studio is great for small kiddos – 6 months and younger and I love location for older kiddos and families. I feel that when a family or child is outside or in their own home, there is a lot more personality that comes out and shared. I love to be able to use the natural light of the sun or get that perfect golden light in a photo, but I also love having my controlled light – comes in handy when things are not to perfect outside – like being COLD!
What would be your perfect photo shoot?
Hmm my perfect session… I have had plenty of them- it could be a simple thing as a sleepy newborn, a smiley little one, a fun family, a beautiful bride. A perfect location setting would be an overcast day and some sunbeams shining through. Makes me think that God is smiling down on me.
What can’t you live without? (like that chocolate wine LOL)
Ohh I think there are a lot of things I can’t live without… The obvious is of course is my faith, my family, and my camera… but what people don’t know its that I LOVE shoes… even if they KILL my feet, I have GOT to have shoes. I cant live without Old Navy – love that store, chocolate with some kind of nuts, my fave wine, good music and the sound of kids laughing!
Anything else people should know? What else do you do?
I am a mom is 4. sometimes more… depending who is around the house LOL. I DESPISE dust and this house collects dust like MAD – drives me insane! I am anal about my kitchen- I hate laundry. I value a good friendship, a sucker for love and babies and I LOVE being a girl! I recently found a magnet that made me laugh. It says.. “all work, no pay- makes Jackie a housewife” I think what made it funny was that it was the only one that had my name on it… I am a housewife – and most days its great… and somedays, just like every other mom, its not so great. I mean really, who really enjoys poopy diapers, screaming kids, a dirty house and left over hot dogs and cheerios? Another thing people might not know about me is that once upon a time I used to be a figure skater. My fave thing was to be thrown around by my skating partner… that was a thrill you just can’t describe! One more….. I am a HUGE supporter of MOPS. That place got me through some troubled mommy times. It was so wonderful to be able to have someone going through the EXACT things that I was. We all think that we are the only mom that was yelling at the kids to hurry up to catch the bus and then felt guilty about it… but the truth is- there are LOTS of moms who go through the same thing!! I love MOPS!!
Read any good books lately?
Yes!! I think my fave book of the year is The Shack. Its one of those books I can’t stop thinking about.
And since I love food, what’s your favorite thing to cook?
Well lets start with eating. I love Pizza and bbq chicken. I could eat those every day for the rest of my life.. oh and steak. MMM I love me some steak! To cook I love to bake. And Pioneer Woman is the place I go for yummies. My fave thing to bake is her Apple Dumplings. The guys around here love them!
Share some of your favorite images and why you love them.
baby images with hats are my weakness.
again .. another weakness. Love these shots. I think I love them because they are a challenge. Not every baby can do this. Its fun to see what kind of fabrics/ textures we can play with
This baby was a miracle baby. Born WAY too early – he is a true miracle for being able to make it home to his mommas arms. It was a blessing for me to be able to photograph him- and I am so glad I did!
I LOVE those baby details.. they change so quickly. Babies have those lips that you just wanna kiss, the feet that you cant stop touching, and the baby fuzz you cant stop feeling
and who doesn’t love little baby butts???!!!
This is one of my fave senior photos from this year. I think we found the ONLY flowers in our area during this time. It just says so much to me
This pic I just LOVE!!! Makes my heart melt seeing a daddy playing with his child. The sun was perfect and the colors were amazing. This daddy just loved his family – as you can see!
just another photo that makes me smile!
this wedding was like my dream wedding. It was all about color and SHOES!!!
Thank you so much Jackie! If you are in Jackie’s area and want to contact her (and I recommend you do 
), here she is Website Blog Facebook Baby listing
I also have been informed by a few people that not all of my emails are reaching me or going back out. If you need to reach me please contact me through my personal email for the time being until I can straighten that out kayla.renckly {at} gmail dot com (replacing at and dot for spam reasons). Scheduling will be light at the moment for personal reasons but I will do my best to accommodate.
