Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Gonzalez Bonzo Gailan Wilson.
Hi Amanda Gonzalez Bonzo, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Sur de Soi was built on a lifelong love of photography, creativity, and helping people see themselves in a new light.
Amanda grew up in Virginia’s Tidewater region and moved to Charlottesville more than a decade ago to attend the University of Virginia. Photography became a passion during college and quickly evolved into a career. She began photographing professionally in 2013, starting with families before finding her niche as a wedding photographer. Outside of photography, Amanda enjoys hiking, creating craft cocktails, and hosting friends at her home in Madison County. One of her lifelong dreams is to write and photograph a book about craft cocktails.
Gailan grew up in Virginia Beach before making Charlottesville her home in 2020. She has always been drawn to beautiful things and creative expression, which led her to both photography and hair and makeup artistry. When she isn’t in the studio, she’s a proud homebody who loves spending time with her partner and their cats.
In 2022, Gailan joined Amanda, and together they founded Sur de Soi. While they continue to photograph weddings, they wanted to create something that was entirely centered on empowerment. Sur de Soi was born from the belief that every person deserves to see themselves with confidence, grace, and self-love. Their sessions are designed to be more than beautiful photographs. They are an experience that encourages clients to embrace who they are, celebrate their individuality, and leave feeling more confident than when they arrived.
For Amanda and Gailan, the most rewarding part of their work isn’t just creating beautiful images. It’s watching someone walk into the studio feeling nervous and leave standing a little taller, smiling a little brighter, and seeing themselves through a kinder lens.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like most businesses, getting started was the hardest part. Building awareness took time, especially because boudoir photography is still unfamiliar to many people and often comes with misconceptions. We knew from the beginning that we wanted to create something different: a studio that feels welcoming, inclusive, and genuinely fun. Our goal has always been to remove the stigma surrounding boudoir and show that it’s not about being someone else. It’s about celebrating yourself exactly as you are.
As more clients began sharing their experiences, word-of-mouth quickly became our greatest asset. Today, we’re fortunate to photograph clients from across Virginia, despite there being relatively few boudoir photographers in our area. Seeing clients travel to work with us is incredibly rewarding and a testament to the community we’ve built.
Looking back, the slower start gave us the opportunity to be intentional about our brand, our client experience, and the atmosphere we wanted to create.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At Sur de Soi, we specialize in luxury boudoir photography designed to help people feel confident, empowered, and celebrated. Every session includes professional makeup, expert posing, and a personalized experience, so clients can simply relax and enjoy the process.
What we’re most proud of is the environment we’ve created. We’ve worked hard to build a studio that is welcoming, inclusive, and free of the stigma often associated with boudoir photography. Many of our clients come in feeling nervous and leave with a new sense of confidence.
What sets us apart is that we focus on the experience just as much as the final images. We guide our clients every step of the way, creating a fun, supportive atmosphere where they can see themselves in a whole new light.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to us is creating an experience where every client feels comfortable, celebrated, and cared for. We believe consistency and genuine connection are just as important as creating beautiful photographs, and we strive to make every session feel welcoming, empowering, and fun.
Community is also at the heart of what we do. We’re proud to support local LGBTQ+ organizations by photographing events for queer social groups, partnering with Out and About, hosting a photo booth each year at Charlottesville Pride, and participating in the Little White Party, which raises funds for HIV awareness and support. Giving back to the community that has embraced us is one of the most meaningful parts of our work.
Pricing:
- Full sessions start at $995
- Average Spend: $1295
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.surdesoistudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/surdesoiboudoir/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/surdesoiboudoir
