What This Class Is All About

Learn how to go from being a generic photographer to having a bold, recognizable style. Discover your why, draw powerful inspiration from art and history, and turn it into a visual identity that makes your work stand out.

Led by Paolo Ciccone, a portrait photographer based in Charleston, South Carolina, and creator of the Hollywood Boudoir experience, a signature style inspired by the elegance of 1930s-40s Hollywood portraiture, reimagined for today.

After feeling like his work was replaceable for years, Paolo set himself a challenge: define a unique style in six months or quit photography altogether. That journey took him deep into research, from legendary photographers like George Hurrell to the technical secrets behind Hollywood’s golden era portraits. Today, Paolo combines masterful lighting, classic techniques, and heartfelt direction to create emotionally rich, unforgettable portraits.

In this class, he will share his journey to help you find your own creative voice.

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By the end of this class, you will have clarity and confidence in your personal photography style and turn your images into a body of work that feels authentic and consistent.

This Class is Perfect for...

Photographers Building a Brand

If your images feel good but forgettable, this class will help you discover what makes your work uniquely yours.

Creatives Ready for Direction

For those tired of imitating trends, Paolo will show you how to build a style grounded in authenticity and clarity.

Portrait & Artistic Shooters

If you want your images to connect emotionally and tell stories that resonate, this class will help you shape a style that lasts.

What You'll Learn in This Class

Course Overview

How to Define Your Unique Photography Style

Introduction: When Technical Isn’t Enough

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The Crisis Point

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Set a Clear, Non-Negotiable Goal

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Going Back to Your “Why”

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Creative Influence and Visual Inspiration

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Finding the Magic in Hollywood Portraiture

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Choosing a Style That Sets You Apart

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Grokking

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Unpacking the Hollywood Lighting Look

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The Role of Retouching and Format

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Studying George Hurrell

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Recreating the Style Today

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Embracing Your Own Voice

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Film vs. Digital

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Final Thoughts: Dare to Be Unique

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Price
$99/year
(this course comes together with our main membership)

Frequently Asked Questions

Still not sure? Find answers to your questions here...

Not at all. This class is about vision, not gear. Paolo focuses on helping you understand your creative direction, something that applies no matter what camera you're using. You'll learn how to develop a style that feels authentic and intentional. No fancy setup required.

Paolo has walked the exact path this class explores, from feeling like a generic photographer to building a style that's bold, cinematic, and unmistakably his. With a heart-centered approach and years of experience guiding people to see themselves in a new light, Paolo knows how to blend technical insight with emotional depth. He's not just here to teach you what a unique style looks like, he's here to help you discover yours.

The class is an exclusive offering for the Great Big Photography World community. Once you're a member, simply log in to your account and navigate to the Prime Classes tab on the left-side menu. From there, you can access the class and watch online at your own pace on any device. If you need assistance, our support team is always here to help.

Joining is simple! Visit our join page at https://greatbigphotographyworld.com/join/ and follow the on-screen instructions to sign up. Once you are a member, you will gain access to exclusive content and classes, including all community features that connect you with fellow photography enthusiasts.

Prime Classes are standalone lessons, usually up to one hour long, designed to give you focused insight into a specific topic or technique. In contrast, our challenges and full courses are curriculum-based and made up of multiple lessons that guide you through a broader subject step by step.