Meet your Maui photographer
Aloha, I’m Amanda!
Ever met someone who's saved over 100 dragonflies from their swimming pool, earned the title of Certified Polar Bear after a dip in the Arctic Ocean, and can't resist giving a pat to even the scruffiest alley cat?
That's me—a proud East Coast born gal who's been snapping memories since the birthday fairy gifted me a camera over 30 years ago. Photography isn't just my passion—it's my love language, and I've been capturing the magic of Families, Couples & Mamas here on Maui since 2016.
Oh, and shoes? Not my thing...
Dreamer, observer, free spirit—that's the core of who I am - choosing love & harmony above everything else.I see art in every moment, moving through life with sensitivity, grace, and a healthy dose of New England humor. Did I mention my strong dislike for cucumbers and raw tomatoes? Yep, those go straight to the birds!
I'm also a proud Mama to the most incredible little boy! I pour my heart & soul into every moment with him - he's my absolute world & why I do what I do - to have the time & flexibility to be present for him in all his glory...
That same adoration & appreciation is shared with every client I work with, because that's just who I am and how much I care about the moments I'm lucky enough to witness ✨ So, Mahalo, Mahalo, Mahalo!
LEARN WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WORK WITH ME“Amanda was raised around water…
in Florida, no less - and her love of the sea shows up repeatedly in her work. If you're craving something a bit different for your romance or maternity shoot, Amanda often photographs under and in the water for an extra “Wow” factor. Her images are romantic yet timeless, heightened by the weightlessness of clothing and bodies in water. Based on the pure joy radiating throughout her portfolio, it's fair to say her subjects feel very comfortable - and beautiful - in front of her lens. Her photography is a refection of her driving passion, resulting in stunning work you need to see for yourself."
FUN FACTS
Animals are my happy place. I indulge in unhealthy amounts of K-drama. I’m a wannabe vegan. My feet are always cold. I’m obsessed with caffé breves. I love arts + crafts time - all the time. I played Division 1 College Lacrosse. Sparkles Sparkles Sparkles! I heart chocolate covered sunflower seeds. I drink hot beverages in hot weather. All my toes are the same length. My parallel parking skills are on point (thanks NYC!). I’m a proud computer + technical nerd to the very core. White cheddar popcorn is my downfall. I have a wide range of taste in music. I’m in water more than I’m on land. Chess is my favorite board game. I still take a nap every.darn.day. DO WE SPEAK THE SAME LANGUAGE? 
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![two females lovingly embracing in the ocean with palm trees in background during engagement photoshoot at sunset in maui, hawaii with amanda emmes]()
"The best part of this was how fun it was to actually take the pictures. We were super nervous before the shoot and Amanda made it incredibly easy to just have fun! Amanda was very responsive through the whole process and I'm amazed at how present/in the moment she is with the way she works. Always good to be around someone with such great energy."
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![man holding woman's maternity stomach while gazing into eachother's eyes during maui maternity photoshoot at sunset with amanda emmes]()
"My husband and I are both a little camera shy, but in the session Amanda immediately made us feel very comfortable and at ease-like it was just three friends. The results were outstanding. I am a very harsh critic of photos, and despite that I love every single photo she took. My friends and family were in awe of her work - some even said the pictures belong in a magazine. Pardon me while I blush! She gets all the stars! "
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![woman sitting behind man in shoreline during sunset celebrating engagement with couples photos in maui, hawaii]()
"I spent a crazy amount of time going through all of Maui's photographers. When I saw Amanda's portfolio, I immediately knew she was the one! Amanda has an amazing genuine approach -the shoot was the highlight of our trip, it truly was an incredible experience!"
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![man embracing pregnant woman during sunset for a maternity photography session in maui, hawaii]()
"The photos she took during our maternity shoot have been posted and shown for a while now and me and my boyfriend STILL have people raving about them! We did an "under water" shoot and people say "I've never seen a maternity shoot done that way before." She captures exactly what YOU'RE looking for in a photo. "
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![Mother & father holding toddler daughter in middle while enjoying a sunrise family photo session on maui with amanda emmes]()
"Amanda is amazing! Her work is truly like a piece of ART! Made the shoot feel comfortable yet fun. You never would have known my 2 yr old was having tantrums the entire shoot - our photos were amazing! She has such a way with toddlers that by the end of the shoot, my daughter didn’t even want me, she wanted Amanda & to be soothed by her! That should tell you about her work & the person she is."
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![man and woman swimming underwater holding hands during a sunset engagement photo session in maui, hawaii]()
"THE BEST!!! Talent can always be taught but Amanda is truly GIFTED as a creator and artist! She is not only an exceptional photographer, but she is genuinely a wonderful person to be around!"
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![white woman hugging black man from behind during couples engagement photo session at ironwoods beach in kapalua, hawaii]()
"My expectations were exceeded at every step. She took my idea from conception to fruition seamlessly. I am a photo shoot novice, but she created an atmosphere that transported us out of the photoshoot and back into celebrating a special moment in time, in a special place, with the love of my life. The end result was stunning!"
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