Aloha!

I’m Kelsey, the gal behind Groovy Awapuhi Photography! I believe getting to know your photographer before doing a photoshoot together can make a world of a difference in how comfortable you feel in front of the camera, so let me tell you a little bit about myself! I was raised on both Maui and in Santa Cruz, California. My family and I moved to Maui when I was in elementary school. Growing up on Maui has definitely made me a nature-loving person. In my spare time, I love diving for shells in the ocean and chasing waterfalls. However, I also love staying indoors, binge watching a good show, doing arts and crafts, experimenting with makeup, and doing my own self portrait shoots! I first started getting into photography in high school. Instagram and Tumblr had just started becoming popular as I entered high school in 2011. Honestly, these platforms opened the door to the world of photography for me. I was in awe of all the beautiful, creative photos I could scroll through at my fingertips. This inspired me to imagine different photo concepts and bring them to life. My little sister and I would use the family iPad to do little photo shoots in the yard or the park. (Trust me, you do not want to see how cringey those photos are!) Eventually we upgraded to my moms old iPhone 4 that couldn't make calls or send texts, but hey, the camera worked! Once I got my driver's license we were able to expand our horizons and go to different locations to do our little amateur photoshoots. Finally, in my senior year of high school I bought my first DSLR camera! At 19 years old, I was hired as a luau photographer in Lahaina. I spent 3 years there improving my photography skills as well as doing my own creative shoots outside of work. Over time my photography style improved with lots of practice. I realized that photography is what fuels my creative soul, and I decided to turn my passion into a career! I officially opened Groovy Awapuhi Photography as my business in 2019 and have been making magic ever since! After being a Maui photographer for so many years, I decided to leave the nest and fly over to Oahu! I can't wait to work with you on this beautiful island!

Let’s shoot together!

Getting in front of the camera is not always easy! I applaud you for having the confidence to even want to put yourself there. I will do my best to make you feel as comfortable as possible. Don’t stress too much; the shoot is all about having fun! I will guide you through all of the posing and give you prompts that are easy to follow. Whether you’re looking for a photographer for a family, couple, or maternity session, I’m your girl! Or maybe you just want to cover your self in glitter and paint and need someone to capture the moment; I’m here for that too! Let’s get creative together!