About me and my journey as a portrait photographer…

~Paul Caponigro once said, "It’s one thing to make a picture of what a person looks like, it’s another thing to make a portrait of who they are.

My name is Arnel Gonce, and I am a Portrait Masters award winning portrait and fine art photographer in Charlottesville, Virginia. I’ve had a camera in my hand for 47 years — long before I ever dreamed it would become my profession. For the past 13 years, I’ve had the privilege of photographing people at every stage of life, capturing the authentic connections and emotions that make each of us beautifully human.

As a mom of three incredible boys and now a proud abuelita to a grandson and granddaughter, I’ve learned just how fleeting time can be. Every laugh, every hug, every expression — they become memories faster than we realize. That’s why I photograph: to preserve those moments before they slip away.

My husband and I have been married for 35 years, sharing both a deep love and a restless wanderlust that keeps us exploring the world together. Whether I’m sipping coffee at home, scuba diving beneath turquoise waters, or spending time with family, I’m always drawn to the raw, unfiltered beauty of life.

Photography, for me, isn’t about perfection — it’s about truth. It’s about emotion, connection, and the irreplaceable spark that no AI-generated image could ever replicate. I want to capture the real you — the way your eyes light up when you laugh, the quiet confidence in your smile, the love that radiates when you hold someone close.

Because we only get one life. And I believe it deserves to be remembered — beautifully, honestly, and forever.

My process is service based-whether you need help figuring out wardrobe choices, or wall art for the images you choose, I will guide you every step of the way with personalized attention to every detail, from the first contact to installation of your product. Contact me today-I can’t wait to capture the real you!

A black and white photo of a couple, with the man kissing the woman on the cheek, standing near a canal with brick buildings and a bridge in the background.

I am a small boutique photography experience that is focused on serving my clients by pampering them, providing service in every aspect of the creation of your images and creating an atmosphere where you can be yourself. It is only in this atmosphere where connections happen. And connections are where you find the most authentic photographs that reflect who we truly are.