One Hot Momma | Morgantown WV Boudoir Photographer

"Thank you Kassandra for making me feel pampered and relaxed during my session. You were so fun and easy to work with. You really took the time to find out exactly what I wanted, had great ideas and used a variety of settings. The photos are fantastic! Every woman should do this for herself. It makes you feel so good about yourself. Thanks for making me look and feel my best!"

Boudoir Testimonial | Morgantown WV Boudoir Photographer

To help everyone learn a little more about boudoir photography, I thought I would share the input of one of my recent clients....

Who is receiving this gift? my husband =)

What helped you finally decide... "Ill do it!"  I had been wanting to do something fun and sexy for my husband; a fun gift that he wouldn't expect. You convinced me this was it!!!

Which photo is your fave and why? I love loooove the one of me laying down in the black and white.  I sent it to my sister, and she was quickly impressed!!  She said I looked like a model ;)

Would you recommend a boudoir session to others? Definitely!  I was a bit nervous before, 

but you helped calm my nerves.  I felt more comfortable after we got a couple shots in...it was fun!!!  :)

 ..it would be fun to have a boudoir party (bachelorette or birthday/ladies night??) with your girlfriends... Boudoir picture party!! ;)  

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 I really enjoyed the photo shoot and would definitely do it again.  I've already been recommending you to others.  I even feel a little more confident about my body after seeing them, you know?  Sadly,I think we as ladies pick apart our own bodies.  Anyway..you did a great job!!  Thanks again! =)

Boudoir makes a great gift or is a fabulous way to celebrate recent achievement in your life and show yourself off a bit to your significant other.  All photos, poses, and outfits are tasteful.  Feminine yet flirty.  And last, remember photos are never shared unless you wish for others to see your images.

Carter 9 Week Photo Session | Preston County & Terra Alta, WV Newborn Photographer

Carter and his momma came to visit last weekend!  Larynn wanted a photo session of her 9 week old cutie... and here is what we came up with!...

She had a friend make a few hats and brought along her own! A first for KOP.  Most of my hats are sized for newborns, so only a few of mine fit :)

High Five for Friday: Feb 22, 2013

Sorry I missed the last 2 weeks of HF4F!!!  If you don't know what HF4F is... go here
or read my first and second HF4F posts.

High five for friday posts highlight moments from my past week... no matter how *small* or how *big*... they matter to me!

1. Friday off.  I worked an extra day in Feb (go red for women's heart health) and so I decided to take today off.  (woohoo!)  Forrest (the hubby) somehow had not scheduled himself to work anywhere so I decided to spend the day with him.  And... maybe getting a life insurance physical and some other *boring* adult appointments. I also enjoyed a late breakfast at my favorite coffee shop in town, the blue moose.

2. Stella & dot virtual trunk show!  Ali, a friend from physician assistant school, has become a stylist for a fun, trendy new line of jewelry.  I bought  few pieces and get tons of compliments when I wear them!  The virtual trunk show (aka shopping at home online) ends Sunday.. so check it out! I am offering a discount to boudoir clients on their session for ordering and supporting my friend!

3. Exercise.  This week I finally am getting into my running groove.  Forrest and I planned hope to run a half marathon later this year.  I ran 3x already this week and am planning on a long run Saturday morning.

4. Wine tasting.  Every last Friday of the month.. a local restaurant called Cafe Bacchus has a wine tasting.  And let me tell you, its not a tasting, its a wine drinking event.  For $25 you get 5 glasses of wine, not tastes, but glasses of wine.  They typically have an assortment of appetizers, but it is plenty filling to count as dinner.  My co worker mentioned we *had* to go soon, and so we made it happen!

5. Angel of hope. My other bestie sent me a willow angel in the mail a few weeks ago. Geez, I'm getting all kinds of presents in the mail, its like Christmas in Feb!

To learn more about HF4F, visit from my grey desk.

Boudoir Special Discount | Morgantown, WV Modern Glamour Shots

I teamed up with my friend from afar....across the country that is! KOP is hosting a virtual trunk show through the weekend. Clients that make a Stella & Dot purchase will receive a $50 discount off their session!

http://www.stelladot.com/ts/8mpn5

*this offer ends sunday 2/24*

Professional Head shots {Included with your session} | Morgantown, WV Boudoir Photographer

Something new is now included in investment for your boudoir session.  The past 3 clients (all in the past few weeks!) have all requested a professional head shot that is Facebook appropriate.  Why not? Most ladies choose to add add on make up artistry services... so who wouldn't love a professional, well lit, non grainy, non-iPhone photo for their profile pic???

So, when I send *you* the pre-session questionnaire, let me know if you would like this addition to your session.  Please remember to bring/wear an outfit that will work for this scenario. ;)

   

Another date night!

Last Saturday night was another one of those nights.  We deliberated back and forth... do we want to go? do we not?

And we went.  To Heston Farms Winery in Fairmont, that is.  We went this past summer and really enjoyed the atmosphere and music.  The wines are mostly all sweet wines ... but there is a Merlot and a Semi Sweet Red Blend (Bastion) that we both enjoy.  The semi sweet is somewhat of a misnomer.. and tastes decently dry to me.  It is my favorite with hints of eucalyptus!  Here is the dsecription from their website:

Our semi-sweet red wine blends Cabernet Franc and Chambourc in creating abundant aromas of candied fruit and eucalyptus. The flavors express rich cherry and raspberry notes as well as a slight spice character. The wine is made in a ready to drink style and can pair nicely with a wide variety of fare, from spicy barbecue to pasta or meats.

They featured not only the usual wine tasting and casual atmosphere but also a bluegrass band!

Forrest (the hubby) is a huge fan of bluegrass music.  I found have it is pretty entertaining. 

We had a nice, homecooked meal at home (kudos me!) then headed out.  We ordered a bottle of the Bastion and a cheese/meat plate appetizer to snack on throughout the evening.  The band was called DC bluegrass.  The banjo player as well as the lead singer with his violin fiddle were excellent.  See the video below to hear my favorite of the night: "Red Wagon Wheel":

I enjoyed one glass of wine then moved onto coffee and dessert :)

All in all, it was a nice "night out" and even better because it happened two weekends in a row!! (read about last weekend here)

I def recommend checking this newer, local winery....especially if its a night when there is live music involved :D

What to wear: Morgantown West Virginia Boudoir Photographer

I would plan to bring three or four different outfits..... typically this is a mix of lingerie, momentos/items of his (i.e. a dressy man's work button down).   Past clients have also brought silky robes, a uniform shirt of the significant other, physician's lab coat, race medals, and bridal clients have brought their veil, corset or other bridal accessories.

Here’s my advice – pick tasteful pieces that really speak to your style (and if you want to go all out, do it!). Lace is good! Silk is beautiful! There’s no one right way to do this, so don’t try to do what you think you should – do what works for you! If you are modest, choose a strappy tank-top for part of your session- or a sheer shirt.

Think beyond just bra and underwear sets – silk robes, negligees and one of his dressy button down shirts are just a few ideas to consider. Hit Victoria’s Secret, Fredericks and similar stores/online shops to get an idea of what’s out there. Another fantastic source is Etsy.com – do a search for retro lingerie or just lingerie – there are some wonderful things on that site that you won’t find anywhere else.

I’m really happy to share with you that I’ve started collecting accessories and vintage pieces to share with clients for their KOP boudoir sessions. 

Perhaps the most important thing to bring is a sense of who you are. Bring his favorite guitar if you can sneak it out! Bring the necklace he gave you or the reading glasses he says make you look like a sexy librarian. And don’t forget to bring great shoes. Sexy heels, strappy sandals, fun evening shoes. One client even brought the heels she wears daily to work – she said her husband adored them!

And finally…jewelry – the larger and the chunkier the better.   A statement necklace adds a POP to your images!!  (to find a statement necklace, dangly earrings, or the like: go here to view Stella & Dot lookbook.. and go here to read my post about jewelry!)

Jewelry & Boudoir Photography: Stella and Dot Trunk Show

Picture from: the small things blog

KOP (Kassandra Olgers Photography) is a small business. I am a huge supporter of small businesses, and my friend from afar (aka California) asked me to do a "virtual trunk show" and team up her Stella & Dot business with my photography business.

Jewelry is essential to any boudoir session. Dangling, teardrop earrings to statement necklaces: it all adds an accent and focus to the images. Depending your personality, this may be your everday jewerly or possibly a bit "extra" but can be re-used for special occasions.

Here is an example for 2 different types of "teardrop earrings" that will add a POP to your photo session:



Picture from: the small things blog

I personally own the serenity stone drops in navy blue & love them. I couldn't decide between pink & navy, and my BFF reminded me how often I wear blue/gold for the mountaineers- I went with blue! The pink; however, are next on my list to order!

After chosing whether your personality is dangling earrings or something more like plain pearl studs, decide which type of necklace is more "you"....

The statement necklace:

fiona bib necklace

Or a plainer, simpler look like below:

on the mark

To find this look and many more: Stella & dot

Good luck stylizing your session! Please contact myself or Ali for questions!

A Date Night in the 'Burg

*DISCLAIMER*
99% of these pictures are from google images.
Someone might look at me kinda weird if I whipped on my DSLR (aka big) camera while at a crowded restaurant at 10 pm on a Saturday night.. or not.
The dessert picture was, in fact, taken on my iPhone :)

I needed to get out of Morgantown.  I needed a trip.  I needed a new iPhone.  Hence, I "pricelined" (a new verb I created) a hotel and it was done.  Forrest and I hadn't been out of town for awhile and I decided it was time.  As a plus, I realized it was the weekend before Valentine's Day- so as a bonus I think Forrest was *extra* nice regarding our plans as he works late and won't be home the 14th before I fall asleep.

Anyways, I received lots of great restaurant recommendations.  I quickly read an article that highlighted the top 25 restaurants in Pittsburgh.  (Many of the suggestions were listed! I must have some classy friends with good taste (; ).

I found a restaurant called "Meat and Potatoes" which seemed to fit Forrest's requirements of lots of steak options and my requirements of a "foodie" quality to the menu.  I should have called immediately for reservations, but instead I called a few days prior.  They were almost completely booked!!

After checking into the hotel and a well deserved nap, we headed to the lobby bar for a few drinks.  About an hour before our reservation, we walked to the restaurant about 0.5 miles away.  It was windy & cold, but I toughed it out in my heels :D

The place is not huge, decorated with deer heads and large rustic chandelier pieces.  We again, surprise, sat at the bar while we waited for our table.  They have interesting cocktails... even one with rosemary I wished I had tried but instead I chose a drink that included a new favorite liquor called St. Germaine's (made in France,  elderflower and tropical flavors) and get this---- Pat's Blue Ribbon.  Topped with a cucumber and orange peel.  Tasty!  I wasn't  bold enough to try the drink with egg whites.  Good way to get a little extra protein though!!!

We ordered the meat and potatoes for two which A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.  If you know me, you know I don't eat a lot of meat.  Mainly not a lot of red meat.  It was a special night so I figured why not.  It was the best meal of our lives.  Okay so that's pretty serious, but the meal was serious.  It came out on a large (took up the length of the small round table!) wooden cutting board.  The meat was placed diagonally across the wooden board, and bone included it spanned the whole thing!!!  It was 32 ounces! It was covered in some type of worcestershire glaze and mushrooms.  A homemade vinegar based steak sauce was available for dipping.  It came with confit fries (this means they were fried in duck fat instead of oil) which were tasty, and bone marrow.  Yes, a large cross section of a femur with bone marrow you scrape out.  It had a cheesy/bread crumb mixture on top.  We had ordered a bottle of wine, so by that time I was a bit not of a normal mind and I actually liked bone marrow.  Phew, there I said it.  It kinda tasted like rich butter.  Really.  I don't think if I wasn't 3 drinks deep I would have loved it as much as I loved the flavor of the meat.  Forrest was like a kind in the candy store.  As he ate, he just kept looking up at me and smiling.  It was pretty cute.

If you are a meat lover, or even if you aren't - this is a place to try if you are in Pittsburgh.  Get a reservation early because it is a newer, trendier place that fills up quickly.

We, of course, had dessert.  We Forrest is training for a half marathon.  I'm trying to train but not making huge steps in progress....Nevertheless, we try to only get dessert on a special occasion.  Eat healthy 80% of the time and 20% of the time cheat a bit but don't get out of hand.

It didn't get a before picture.  :)

As soon as we got home - an open house was about to begin.  We are selling our townhouse that we built 4 years ago.  A close friend & neighbor was so kind and lent me his house for a boudoir session Sunday afternoon.

Well, that was my weekend in a nutshell!!  Hope everyone else's was productive and perhaps not as jam packed as mine :D

Four Boudoirs in Two Weeks: What the Clients are Saying | Morgantown, WV Boudoir Photography

As the title explains, I have done *four* boudoir sessions in the past 2 weeks!  I love the empowerment women get after the view their gallery of images!  A past boudoir client said it best... "Sadly,I think we as ladies pick apart our own bodies."  My hope is that through seeing themselves as I see them through my camera, they will see beauty instead of imperfections.

Gorgeous #1

My husband is receiving this as a Valentine's gift.  I knew I wanted to do this for sometime....what finally convinced me was when my girlfriend agreed to go with me and do this as a duo!  So fun!!!  My favorite is the one where I'm on the floor with my legs on the wall--makes my legs look SO much longer than they are!  Would highly recommend a boudoir session for any female.  Self confindence booster; made us feel beautiful.

Gorgeous #2 

Who is receiving this gift? My Husband for valentines day. What helped you finally decide... "Ill do it!" My girlfriend, we did our session together! Which photo is your fave and why? The very last one. I looked the best and, I love the black & white! Would you recommend a boudoir session to others? Definitely! So much fun and I felt so comfortable. The photos turned out great. 

Sorry I missed the HF4F post this week! My hubby and I had an overnight trip to Pittsburgh Saturday, and Friday evening was spent with a boudoir client ;)  Will update y'all on our trip tomorrow!

Superbowl 2013 {New Recipes}

Forrest and I don't watch much professional football - but we are defintely college football fans.  (Let's GO!! Mountaineeeerrrs!)   Anyways, the Ravens are in the superbowl this year, a team which is not so far away at a 6 hour drive to see a bestie from middle school/high school/college/grad school!! 

I ended up participating in #takeyourwifetoworkday and came along with Forrest to his Sunday contracted shift, which is only 6 hours and includes my own desk, tv, etc to watch the Puppy Bowl or Kardashian trash tv.  This AM the snow was coming down and I had no specific Sunday plans other than cooking some fun new recipes for the Super Bowl.  I would have rather stayed in my pajamas and drank coffee on the couch all day, but Forrest said the magic words, "If you come to work with me, we can look at new house ideas on Pinterest."  Needless to say, we accomplished a lot inbetween patient evaluations including booking a trip to Jamaica (Hello vacation!), planning our overnight Pittsburgh trip (#MeatandPotatoes Pgh restaurant with classic foods for Forrest and a foodie twice for me!),  and creating a financial plan for me for the next 3-4 years (#studentloans #payoffsomeday).

Sorry getting a little #hashtag crazy.

Anyways, my Super Bowl spread includes:

Happy Herbivore Abroad Cajun Stuffed Mushrooms

Happy Herbivore Abroad Drunken Beans

Jannabeth Velveeta Rotel Sausage Dip (Melt velveeta in crock pot. Add rotel.  Add cooked sausage. Done!)

Maybe... a pinterest recipe for spinach/hot pepper jack stuff chicken. If I have time/willpower to defrost chicken after being gone all day.

Thanks for stopping by! ..... Go...*insert either team here!*

High five 4 Friday | Feb 1, 2013

1. Go Red for Women is a movement to recognize women && the #1, (NUMBER ONE!) killer which is heart disease.  I work in cardiology as a physician assistant and see every day how women present differently and present later than their male counterparts.  I went to a "Women, Love Your Heart" Luncheon today (american heart assoc said we couldn't use "go red" unless we donated tons of $$!).  We heard two amazing survival stories, one from a woman had an aortic dissection (most patients do not survive as soon as this occurs!) and one woman who had a heart attack at work (in the building adjacent to the hospital nonetheless).  Neither woman fit the bill of your typical heart patient.  The first woman ignored back pain for two years until she finally was diagnosed with the heart problem.  She was a busy mom of 3 and paid  more attention to their needs than her own health.  She is definitely a lucky lady to be here to tell her story today.  She was very witty saying "I'm full of pig parts so I boycott pork!"  The second survivor is a researcher who will use her experience to connect the breech between doctors and researchers.  She had NO risk factors for heart disease and yet still developed a sudden heart attack.  The moral of the story: don't wait, if you experience heart-related symptoms: go see a doctor! (or pa ;)

2. The hope bracelet.  I needed a bit of a pick-me-up a few weeks ago.. and a very best friend of mine sent me this adorable bracelet.  It is rose gold and so simple and dainty.  I love the angel wing and simplicity of the design.  I wear it and remember....."Hope is the little voice you hear whisper maybe when it seems the entire world is screaming never."

3. Forrest went grocery shopping with me late last night!!! If you know me, you know we never do something this simple together.  I can really only remember one other time we did this menial yet essential task together.  I enjoyed it as silly as it sounds (:  He works a lot and works hard to save up for our future house (more to come to the blog soon once we finalize with a contractor for our new place!!).

4.  In the theme of "going red" or wearing red to remember / recognize / raise awareness of women &&  heart disease, I decided to feature my recent favorite wine.  Apothic Red is a blend and is only around ten bucks.  I tried it a wine tasting at Cafe Bacchus last summer.  I didn't expect to see it at Kroger's... then later even at Wal-Mart!  Anyways, I really enjoy it and had a glass earlier tonight while relaxing after a week's work.  Gotta raise that HDL! (good cholesterol)

5. Running.  I somehow convinced Forrest to train for a half marathon for me.  Then I backed out.  Then I jumped back in.  We'll see how it goes... I have been running a few times a week and am trying to increase miles/add endurance/etc and maybe in June I'll run/walk the whole whopping 13.1 miles.  Maybe.

Thanks for reading!!  Enjoy the weekend (: