I was born and raised on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. My lifelong love of the ocean turned into a passion of photography when I photographed my first wave through the lens of a camera. I began my photography career as a surf photographer. I've been blessed to have my photographs featured in various domestic and international surfing publications.
I've also had the privilege of traveling on assignment to Mexico and Cooke Islands. My surf photography background has allowed me to introduce underwater engagement sessions to couples who were looking for something different and unique. I entered the wedding industry in the year 2005 and never looked back.
I've also had the privilege of traveling on assignment to Mexico and Cooke Islands. My surf photography background has allowed me to introduce underwater engagement sessions to couples who were looking for something different and unique. I entered the wedding industry in the year 2005 and never looked back.
Reviews (21)
Amanda Brodell
Jun 24, 2019
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Nick Pugay Photography was perfect for our Oahu destination wedding and fit our needs. We only needed our wedding ceremony and family photographed for an hour and half and he made it work and gave us a great price for our budget. He even made time to squeeze in a couples session at the end of our wedding ceremony and family photos. Not only that, Nick and his partner Brandon made the experience so enjoyable, he made us laugh, had great energy, and was super organized. We received our photos in a timely manner in the cutest gift box with a glass USB and print sets of our photos and they came came
Malia L.
Nov 30, 2018
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We used Nick for our family photos for our holiday photo shoot and he was great. He met with us on location for the shoot and was very flexible with trying my different ideas. He also gave my two young ones a little goodie bag each as incentive to get to the end. Once I got the pics I had so many to choose from which surprised me because I didn't think we got many at all. I would definitely recommend him.
Aaron A.
Aug 01, 2018
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My wife and I cannot speak highly enough about how great it was to work with Nick Pugay for our wedding. Throughout the wedding planning, Nick was consistently great to work with and was patient in answering any questions or requests that we had. He was very responsive with communications, and went above and beyond to provide us with a great experience and great photos!
Nick was kind enough to attend our wedding rehearsal the day before the wedding, and really gave us some fantastic advice and pointers all throughout then and the day of the event. He and his assistants were all great on the day
Nick was kind enough to attend our wedding rehearsal the day before the wedding, and really gave us some fantastic advice and pointers all throughout then and the day of the event. He and his assistants were all great on the day
Brooke Y.
Apr 02, 2018
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Nick is an amazing professional who, by the end of the wedding, was beloved my all my closest family members. He did not treat me like any other customer, he treated me like I was family. My husband and I were born and raised in Hawaii so we wanted a local photographer that made us feel comfortable and could capture candid moments. Nick asked great questions and gave great suggestions during our initial meeting. He came to the wedding rehearsal to make sure he knew all the bridal party members' names. The most amazing thing he did though, was facilitate an additional photoshoot. Our wedding
Jason H.
Sep 11, 2017
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We hired Nick to shoot our wedding ceremony at Turtle Bay on the North Shore. We were coming from Virginia, so there's a 6 hour time difference that made it difficult working with other vendors. Nick, on the other hand, always responded by afternoon EST (so morning his time). He was also available by phone, email, or text which was very convenient since I had to travel a couple of days before the ceremony.
We had a little mix up wiring funds, but Nick worked with us to make sure we got the payment right, and most importantly, that we had a photographer for our ceremony. I was very impressed
We had a little mix up wiring funds, but Nick worked with us to make sure we got the payment right, and most importantly, that we had a photographer for our ceremony. I was very impressed
Dina L.
Jun 29, 2017
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Instead of getting engagement photos, we opted for honeymoon photos! So I needed to find a photographer in Hawaii. First thing, I went on yelp and looked at photographers' work. I narrowed it down to 3 and requested a quote. Nick was the only one that gave me his phone number to call with any questions. Having already worked with wedding vendors this is not always the case. It put my mind at ease to talk to him and discuss my ideas and locations. That really was what sealed it for me.
Nick has a great personality! I was grateful he gave position placement while shooting. We waited
Nick has a great personality! I was grateful he gave position placement while shooting. We waited
Isabell S. G.
Jun 14, 2017
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Nick took our wedding pictures on the 3rd of June and we couldn't be happier! The pictures turned out amazing! Better than I could've ever imagined. He gaves us a great price and he is very knowledgeable, talented and experienced. He has a lot of suggestions and knows what looks good but is also open for whatever suggestions you have.
We are forever grateful for the amazing job he did on our wedding day and cannot praise him enough!
- Mr & Mrs Garcia
We are forever grateful for the amazing job he did on our wedding day and cannot praise him enough!
- Mr & Mrs Garcia
Carrie W.
Oct 18, 2016
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This is a late review from last year when Nick covered my son's 1st birthday at the zoo. I only write reviews when I feel the business is outstanding or I received dirt poor service. The fact that I'm writing this a year later shows how impressed I still am with Nick--this review just got overcome by life.
I'm from Hawaii but live on the mainland now so finding the best professionals to work with and coordinating this long distance can be stressful. He helped me refer me to Orig Media for videography who we also hired. They were such a great team and never interrupted "moments
I'm from Hawaii but live on the mainland now so finding the best professionals to work with and coordinating this long distance can be stressful. He helped me refer me to Orig Media for videography who we also hired. They were such a great team and never interrupted "moments
Fridaleen L.
Jan 21, 2016
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Jade S.
Nov 08, 2015
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We hired Nick as our wedding photographer (who came highly recommended by one of Hawaii's leading wedding photographers) and did an engagement shoot with him as well. We cannot say enough positive things about Nick. His warm and friendly demeanor and sense of humor made my husband and I comfortable- and we hate taking pictures!
Nick worked with our budget, produced photos of STELLAR quality and truly helped to give us the wedding of our dreams. He worked with our coordinator, met with us numerous times to discuss timeline details, took time to get to know us and our families and wedding
Nick worked with our budget, produced photos of STELLAR quality and truly helped to give us the wedding of our dreams. He worked with our coordinator, met with us numerous times to discuss timeline details, took time to get to know us and our families and wedding
Annie T.
May 01, 2015
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I was visiting Hawaii for my baby moon and decided it would be a great idea for a maternity shoot. I've contacted Nick and was very impressed of how professional he was. The weather wasn't the best during my visit so he kept me updated on the forecast while I was in Hawaii, and what beaches would be best for the scenery I wanted. I'm so glad we didn't have to cancel because of the weather but he made it happen by knowing what locations would be best. My husband and I had so much fun with Nick! You can tell he is truly passionate and loves photography. If you need a photographer
Bj S.
Dec 15, 2014
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We were introduced to Nick by a mutual photographer friend. He immediately put us at ease and impressed us with a professional, knowledgeable and humble demeanor. During the rehearsal, Nick offered a variety of options, creativity and flexibility. On our wedding day, he made both families comfortable with respect and light humor. Most of all, he expressed great care with each person and adapted to everyone's comfort level. We were able to preview a few shots and were amazed at how good he made us look! Anyway, Nick is a true professional- we are so glad that selected him to capture our
K. Y.
May 11, 2014
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We hired Nick to be our wedding photographer because I saw how easy he was to work with at my friend's wedding!
Not only is Nick a great photographer, but he also has great ideas and suggestions regarding photo sessions for the wedding and reception. He is a great resource for all kinds of ideas and other vendors. And he is super easy to work with!
On the day of the wedding, he took some photographs. I haven't even gotten all of my photos, but I am so impressed with the ones that I've already seen! I can't wait to see the rest!
But the most important thing I wanted everyone
Not only is Nick a great photographer, but he also has great ideas and suggestions regarding photo sessions for the wedding and reception. He is a great resource for all kinds of ideas and other vendors. And he is super easy to work with!
On the day of the wedding, he took some photographs. I haven't even gotten all of my photos, but I am so impressed with the ones that I've already seen! I can't wait to see the rest!
But the most important thing I wanted everyone
Dominic Chan
Dec 04, 2013
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We used Nick Pugay as our photographer for our Oahu wedding. We couldn’t have been happier with our choice to go with Nick after an exhaustive search. We talked with several photographers beforehand but in the end, Nick was so professional, accommodating and friendly that he made our decision very easy.
Nick was very open to suggestions and thankfully, he was very helpful with suggestions of his own. Nick knows Hawaii and the island of Oahu so well that he even checked the tide charts when he heard we were interested in doing some ocean shots. We were able to meet up with Nick a few months before
Nick was very open to suggestions and thankfully, he was very helpful with suggestions of his own. Nick knows Hawaii and the island of Oahu so well that he even checked the tide charts when he heard we were interested in doing some ocean shots. We were able to meet up with Nick a few months before
Chantelle D.
Sep 22, 2013
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We hired Nick for our outdoor wedding in Kailua. We could not have made a better choice!
Nick and his team were an absolute joy to work with. He was very easy to work with, he followed through with all agreements, and he accommodated our every request. Not to mention, his pictures were absolutely amazing! What we liked about Nick when interviewing photographers was the amount of pictures we would receive, the quality of the pictures, and the fact that he does not restrict the image sizes he gives to you. We've hired photographers in the past who limit the printable image size so that you
Nick and his team were an absolute joy to work with. He was very easy to work with, he followed through with all agreements, and he accommodated our every request. Not to mention, his pictures were absolutely amazing! What we liked about Nick when interviewing photographers was the amount of pictures we would receive, the quality of the pictures, and the fact that he does not restrict the image sizes he gives to you. We've hired photographers in the past who limit the printable image size so that you
E.
May 19, 2013
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Our friends suggested we hire Nick Pugay for our Koolau wedding, and we feel so lucky and grateful we were able to hire him! Nick was always very professional, personable, and super fun to work with! He always surprised us with his amazing customer service! He video chatted with me monthly to check how the wedding planning was going, he made everything super smooth and enjoyable, and when our photos were mailed to us, the packaging looked beautiful, professional, and custom tailored for us. Our families and Nick laughed the entire time we were shooting pictures. Nick is a very creative, talented
Marcy H.
Jan 15, 2013
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If you're looking for a great photographer...Nick Pugay is the guy!! We had the pleasure of working with him for our engagement pictures and for our wedding and we couldn't be happier!
Nick made us feel so comfortable. He is so positive and fun to work with. Nick is super talented and creative and gets the perfect shots to capture all of the special moments. We received so many compliments on our photos and will treasure them always.
We can't wait to have the chance to work with Nick again and will be sure to use him for any other important events!
Nick made us feel so comfortable. He is so positive and fun to work with. Nick is super talented and creative and gets the perfect shots to capture all of the special moments. We received so many compliments on our photos and will treasure them always.
We can't wait to have the chance to work with Nick again and will be sure to use him for any other important events!
Lisa H.
Mar 21, 2012
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Nick is the best! He shot our wedding back in 2010 and the experience was nothing but...fun & positive. Nick is extremely professional and takes the time to ensure that he is capturing your special day in the best way possible. He's creative and brings a different element to your photos (not your traditional boring wedding photos). Nick is also very down to earth and funny--which made the photo shoots so much more enjoyable.
Planning a wedding long distance is not easy. However, Nick ensured everything went smoothly. I love my photos and highly recommend is work!
Planning a wedding long distance is not easy. However, Nick ensured everything went smoothly. I love my photos and highly recommend is work!
Tasha D.
Jan 16, 2012
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Nick really is a talented individual. At first I was skeptical only because his style and work wasn't what I had initially wanted out of our pictures. I only say this because I was overwhelmed by the choices one has in picture styles and such. However, as I looked through his samples and when he showed me one of his photo albums I was definitely sold.
Nick is very professional & very flexible. He really did an amazing job for us and our family. It truly made our Wedding day that much more memorable. He made the day seemless and made both my husband and I feel so comfortable. (Considering
Nick is very professional & very flexible. He really did an amazing job for us and our family. It truly made our Wedding day that much more memorable. He made the day seemless and made both my husband and I feel so comfortable. (Considering
Julia A.
Nov 29, 2011
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We first saw Nick's work at the wedding expo a couple of years ago. It was the underwater photos that really got us. Not all wedding photographers are also underwater sport photographers. Well, I'm sure most of them are not. This is the start of why we had to hire Nick. And then we met him.
Nick is awesome. He was really great at making us feel comfortable and it was just fun to be his subject matter. We were constantly laughing which really helped with the nerves.
We hired Nick for our Trash the Dress photo session at Waimea Bay (gorgeous day, amazing photos and we even jumped off
Nick is awesome. He was really great at making us feel comfortable and it was just fun to be his subject matter. We were constantly laughing which really helped with the nerves.
We hired Nick for our Trash the Dress photo session at Waimea Bay (gorgeous day, amazing photos and we even jumped off
Pono Fernandez
Jul 14, 2011
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