Meet Paolo Ciccone | Portrait Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Paolo Ciccone and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paolo, what role has risk played in your life or career?
“Risk-taking is an intriguing concept. Naturally, as humans, we’re inclined to steer clear of risks. We enjoy challenges and might overcome obstacles with the right motivation, but fundamentally, we’re wired to seek safety.

Yet, in my life, embracing risks has been a constant. There’s little growth within the comfort zone. To progress, to excel in your field, or to achieve something significant, it’s necessary to confront the unknown and take risks. It’s inconvenient and often frightening, but it’s equally thrilling. I believe it’s the anticipation of the potential reward that fuels this excitement.

A few years ago, I realized the importance of developing a unique style in my portraiture. Without it, my work would be indistinguishable from others’, making me replaceable, a mere commodity – which no one desires to be.

Developing a new style is daunting, and choosing to be unique leads you into uncharted territory. My passion for the dramatic, black-and-white portraiture of 1930s Hollywood stars became my inspiration. Thus, I embarked on a journey to adapt this style for the 21st century, which involved extensive research, experimentation, and re-embracing film. Throughout this process, I often questioned myself: “What if nobody likes it? I will have wasted all this time and money and possibly be ruined!”

Fortunately, the outcome was that people loved it. Now, I have the incredible privilege of creating one-of-a-kind experiences for my clients, offering them portraits unlike anything else available.

The journey was filled with risks that were far from enjoyable, but in the end, the rewards have been immeasurably gratifying.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Great cinema has the power to move us deeply, often bringing us to tears with its vivid imagery. While I may not be a filmmaker, my passion lies in creating photographs of people, and there’s something incredibly precious about that. When another person chooses to stand in front of my camera, I see it as a profound privilege.

My goal is to capture a fragment of that person’s soul, to reflect it back to them in a way that says, ‘You are precious, valuable, and important. Look at how wonderful you look!’ Achieving this isn’t always a given, but when it happens, it’s indescribably fulfilling. It’s these moments that make life an extraordinary adventure.

This pursuit of capturing the essence of a person in a photograph is what I aim to do every day. The journey to where I am today professionally has been one of constant learning and growth, fueled by a relentless passion for capturing the unique beauty and spirit of each individual I photograph.

I’m most proud of the moments when a client sees their portrait and experiences a newfound sense of self-appreciation or when they discover an aspect of themselves they hadn’t seen before. That’s the magic I strive to create in every session – a celebration of individuality, a revelation of inner beauty, and a testament to the human spirit. It’s not just photography; it’s a deeply personal, almost spiritual experience, both for me and for those I have the honor of photographing.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Downtown Charleston is very charming and it can be enjoyed by foot. I would start there, get a map of the great alleys around the French Quarter, and walk. There are often treasures at every corner. Charleston has a decidedly European flavor in that sense. You can see a whole lot and experience many different places just by walking.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The person who profoundly influenced me is my late father, who introduced me to photography during my teenage years. I vividly remember the film negatives we developed together; they are treasures I still hold onto. The allure of the darkroom was irresistible, and one day, I asked him to reveal the magic behind creating photographs. From that moment, photography, especially the miracle of light-sensitive silver, has been an integral part of my life.

Years later, when I ventured into professional portraiture, it was those early lessons in composition and framing that became my guiding light. While we are all in debt to our parents for giving us life, my foray into black-and-white film photography, which I now develop personally, is a direct tribute to my father’s teachings.

I often wish he could see how his legacy continues through my work. It’s a connection to him that goes beyond just a shared interest; it’s a bond that transcends time and remains a fundamental part of who I am and what I create today. I carry not just his lessons but also his spirit in every portrait I take, preserving a piece of him in each frame.

Website: https://paoloportraits.com

Instagram: @paoloportraitschs

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paolociccone/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paolocicconeportraits

Image Credits
All images copyright Paolo Ciccone