Elegant, cinematic boudoir portraits inspired by classic Hollywood, created in a private Charleston studio for women who want to feel confident, beautiful, and completely guided throughout their portrait session. No nudity required. Serving Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, North Charleston, Kiawah, Ladson and the Lowcountry.
Book your style consultationMost women think they need to feel confident before booking a session. The truth is that confidence is usually the result of the session, not the requirement
Get The Hollywood Boudoir Style Guide for Women Over 40 and discover what to wear, how to prepare, and how to look elegant, confident, and beautiful without feeling overexposed.
This guide was created for women who are curious about boudoir but want something tasteful, elegant, and grown-up.
Inside, you'll discover:
There is no pressure and no sales pitch. Just a thoughtful guide to help you imagine what is possible.
Fill out the form and the guide will be sent directly to your inbox.
Your request is completely confidential. We will never share your information, and no one will know you requested this guide.
Vintage boudoir photography in the timeless style of classic Hollywood glamour and shot on real black-and-white film. Elegant, retro portraits for the woman who wants something truly special for herself.
The star treatment for an afternoon. Sultry, cinematic, and as playful as you want it to be, lit the way they lit the screen goddesses.
Classic black and white not your vibe? Perfectly OK. Our color boudoir portraiture is designed to make you feel like the stars of glossy magazines from the 1980s. All the sensuality of the period without teasing your hair!
Never done this before? Here's exactly how your session goes, from the first consultation to seeing your portraits. No surprises, no nerves.
What a session costs, told plainly. The session fee, what's included, and how the rest works. No guessing, no runaround.
She is not a model. She is just like you. Real women, real sessions, and what the experience felt like, in their own words.
Here you are. Engraved forever in silver and celluloid.
This is not a digital filter, a preset, or a costume version of old Hollywood. Paolo creates his signature boudoir portraits using real black-and-white film, classic studio lighting, and a slower, more intentional portrait process inspired by the glamour photography of the 1930s and 1940s.
Film changes the experience. Instead of rushing through hundreds of images, we refine each portrait carefully: the light, the pose, the expression, the hands, the wardrobe, the mood. You are fully guided, and every frame is created with purpose.
For women over 40, this style can be especially powerful. Classic Hollywood lighting flatters with shape, shadow, and elegance. It does not try to make you look like someone else. It helps reveal a version of you that feels confident, feminine, and beautifully present.
Situated in West Ashley, Charleston, Paolo Portraits' studio is conveniently reachable from downtown Charleston, just 20 minutes away from Mount Pleasant and Summerville, and a handful of minutes from other locations in the Lowcountry.
A quick "Behind The Scenes" of Paolo making portraits in the classic style of 1930s Hollywood glamour.
Boudoir portraits are not about lingerie or making "sexy pictures," that is a big oversimplification. What you get out of the experience is fun, excitement, and a sense of your presence. There are women who go through a lifetime without stopping to realize how amazing they are. That is the point of a boudoir session. I have the great fortune of having shared the past 30 years with my wife, and I saw how, decade after decade, she started feeling the passage of time and noticing the changes in her face. She is a stunning woman and I made portraits for her to show how beautiful she is at 60. Sorry, I can't show those :)
Because of her experience, I am dedicated to helping women in their 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond see how beautiful, powerful, and yes, desirable they are today. See for yourself, in our Boudoir Clients' Gallery some of the stories and portraits of ladies who decided to make a statement and tell the world that women don't have an expiration date.
Excerpt from the review.
My experience with Paolo was so much more than a photoshoot—it was an opportunity to see myself through a completely different lens. The old Hollywood film aesthetic is timeless, elegant, and incredibly flattering and I left feeling more confident and beautiful than I have in years. There’s something so intentional and meaningful about holding the finished photographs in your hands—it was the perfect conclusion to a film shoot and far more memorable than a folder of digital images alone. If you’ve ever considered doing this for yourself, don’t hesitate. It’s an experience I’ll treasure forever.
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I have followed Paolo for several years and always admired his work. I recently went through a long-term relationship breakup, and I was wanting to feel better about myself. Paolo made sure I felt safe and comfortable the entire process. When I arrived, he had a separate dressing room ready for me. With several mirrors to get ready, a fancy bottle of water and a couple chocolate bites!! Paolo was very kind and polite. He had images/inspirations for me to model after, so I knew what he was looking for in the shot. He even let me make my own poses that I wanted. It was a very easy process the entire time! The viewing session was incredible. My first words when he turned on the screen was "Wow! I'm hot!!!" If you're actually reading this far into my review, stop. And just go book the session. You won't regret it!!!!"
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Working with Paolo Ciccone was extraordinary from start to finish. His level of preparation alone sets him apart — before the shoot, he walked me through every detail with clear, thoughtful communication that instantly put me at ease. I knew exactly what to expect, what to bring, and how the session would flow, which made the entire experience feel intentional and elevated. During the shoot, Paolo’s professionalism is unmatched. He creates an environment that feels safe, comfortable, and genuinely empowering. His direction is gentle but confident, and he has an incredible ability to read the moment — adjusting lighting, posing, and energy so you feel both supported and celebrated. It truly felt like stepping into a Hollywood set designed just for me. If you’re considering a boudoir experience, Paolo Ciccone is the person you want behind the camera. Exceptional preparation, unmatched comfort, and flawless professionalism. Highly, highly recommended.
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It is easyto photograph a pretty 22 yeear old, butmore challenging to find the beauty, refinement and character of a 40++
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I cannot say enough about my experience working with Paolo. From start to finish, he created a space that was safe, supportive, and empowering. For me, walking into a photo and boudoir session felt a bit intimidating, especially during such a vulnerable season of life, but he immediately put me at ease with his kindness, professionalism, and genuine care. The final images are stunning, but even more valuable is the confidence and self-appreciation I walked away with. This wasn’t just a photoshoot—it was an unforgettable, healing experience that I’ll always cherish. If you are considering boudoir photography, do yourself the gift of booking with Paolo. He is not only an exceptional artist, but a truly extraordinary human being.
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The whole vibe was fun, relaxed, and empowering. If you're even thinking about doing a boudoir shoot--this is your sign. I left the session feeling like a goddess. 11/10 recmmended!
A relaxed call to talk about your vision, wardrobe, and any questions you have. No pressure — just a conversation.
Optional. A professional stylist prepares you before we ever touch a camera. Arrive as you are; leave feeling extraordinary.
Guided posing, beautiful light, and a relaxed pace. Pure glamour. No experience needed — I will take care of everything.
You view your portraits and choose your favourites in a private guided session where I will shows you mockups of your album and wall art. This is a very exciting moment.
A boudoir session is an empowering portrait experience that celebrates your confidence, sensuality, and personal story. It’s for every woman — regardless of age or size — who wants to feel beautiful, bold, and seen. In this article you can find more details on why a boudoir portrait can be exactly what you need today to boost your self-confidence.
This is a fantastic question and it deserves a good answer. In this page you can read why a boudoir session is one of the few things you'll still treasure years from now.
Not at all. While lingerie is a popular option, your boudoir session is about your style. Some women choose a robe, a dress shirt, a soft sweater — or nothing at all. We’ll discuss it all in your style consultation. In this article you can find great suggestions on what to wear for an alluring boudoir session, and in this other article there is fantastic advice on what curvy women can to wear to have stunning boudoir portraits.
Of course! 😀 Most of my clients are not models — they’re real women who want to feel beautiful and confident. I guide you through every pose, down to your fingertips and expression
The studio is completely private. In addition to myself and the client, my wife is the only other person on the premises and she works in a separate section of the building.
Every session is tailored individually but on average we work for about 2 hours.
Absolutely no! All the photos you see here were explicitly authorized in writing by the person featured in them. Your privacy is of the utmost importance for us. In fact, we don't even share that a client contacted us or had a boudoir session. Having said so, most of our clients are proud of having done a boudoir session with us and are the first ones to share their portraits. But that is completely your choice.
