Shelly Lynn Photography & Videography — Local services in Hawaii

Absolutely furious with my experience with this vendor. They are only available up until the day you sign the contract. After that, it takes several days or weeks to receive a return e-mail or phone call. We made the mistake of booking this photographer for our Hawaii trip. They didn’t even bother to confirm the photoshoot. I had to call her the day of the shoot, and they didn’t answer the phone. She called back and briefly mentioned that she was preparing to call me, but when you pay someone $600+ dollars for services, the least they could do is confirm the appointment the day before.

Fast forward to the day the shoot was scheduled for on the contract. It rained, so the shoot had to be rescheduled, however she was booked for the rest of the week. Instead of refunding the payment for the services (and we had received absolutely none up until this point besides e-mails returned days to weeks later and a single phone call), she says that we would have to drive three hours across the island to meet her at a location for another photoshoot that she already had scheduled and would only return half of the deposit if we decided to cancel. They were willing and ready to keep $300+ dollars for responding to two (2) e-mails days to weeks after the initial correspondences were sent, a single phone call, and nothing else. We drove across the island (a three (3) hour drive that we absolutely did not want to make) and were late to the time that she dictated as a result of the weather in combination with the distance. UPDATE: This vendor continues to offer no professional response to the issue.

I received a response to the posting of this review more quickly than I received a response for any of the correspondences leading up to our actual photoshoot.

I received two e-mails, both in the middle of the night. The first contained emotional dumping and was sent at 1:20a and offered a full refund. The second contained poor logic and a bit of a temper tantrum, a verbal retraction of the previous e-mail, and was sent at 5:50a.

Additionally, everything is time stamped. The vendor spent 47 minutes with us, and not the hour and a half that was claimed in the response. The vendor delivered approx 50 photos, the majority of which were low quality, copied and pasted them and delivered the same 50 photos in black and white (for a grand total of 100 pictures, half of which were duplicate images). The vendor did not deliver 100 unique photos as she tried to make it appear in her response to the original posting.

The vendor’s reasoning for not offering a resolution is also juvenile. The gallery was offered in low-quality images and high-quality images even though all the pictures were ultimately low quality. The vendor says they were downloaded five times. Basic math. We are a couple. We were appalled at how terrible the quality and pictures were and so we each downloaded the low and high quality pictures on different devices trying to give the vendor the benefit of the doubt, hoping they might be clearer. They weren't.

The time and money we wasted with this photographer is now a permanent memory on our most recent family vacation. Additionally, our wedding invitations are now going out a month later than expected due to the issue. I have also attached a copy of one of the dark, low-quality photos we received.

However unfortunate, I must also note that the vendor also made comments asserting that I was mean and hard to please. These are all common stereotypes of black women. I have a right to ask questions about a contract that I am signing and I have a right to the services for which I paid.

Truly ridiculous. I just want my money back and to forget that any of this...

Writing this review for Shelly and Max from Shelly Lynn Photography is by far the hardest because words simply cannot do justice to the magic they created for us. Capturing the essence of our two-day wedding in Kona, Hawaii was no small feat, yet they did it so flawlessly, better than we could have ever imagined.

From the start, they understood our vision better than we did. We wanted to give them full artistic control—they are the artists, after all—and they delivered beyond expectations. While we shared just a few general insights about Indian weddings, they instinctively knew how to document every important ritual and moment, and they did it even better than we have ever seen.

Every shot, whether candid or traditional, was breathtaking—the lighting, angles, composition, and emotion in each frame were impeccable. They truly care for their clients, going above and beyond in their communication to ensure we loved every image. You can see the meticulous detail, passion, and love they pour into their work—it shows in every single photograph and video.

Beyond their extraordinary talent, they were an absolute joy to work with. Their presence was so warm and welcoming that it felt like having family members behind the lens, not just photographers. They balanced professionalism with genuine connection, making every moment feel effortless and fun.

I was initially unsure about our wedding highlight video, thinking it might not be something people would want to watch, but they turned me into a believer. The video is a masterpiece—something that both our families will cherish for a lifetime.

I plan to hire them for every event my big fat Indian family will need, hoping I can still afford them! Their pricing offers so much more value than expected, and we truly feel we got a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

We can’t wait to return to Kona and book a sunset photoshoot with them, since our wedding schedule didn’t allow for one. Shelly and Max, thank you beyond words—you have given us the most precious memories of our wedding, and we are forever grateful.

If you’re looking for photographers who will capture your love, culture, and story in its most beautiful and authentic...

I recently had the pleasure of hiring Shelly Lynn Photography for my wedding in Waikoloa on the Big Island and I couldn’t be more thrilled with the results! From start to finish, the experience was seamless and professional. The booking process was straightforward and incredibly efficient. Shelly was quick to respond to my inquiries, answering all of my questions with clear, detailed information. The contract was simple, and the pricing was transparent with no hidden fees, which made me feel confident in my decision. What truly stood out was Shelly and Max’s photography and videography style. They have a great eye for natural, candid moments, which was exactly what I was hoping for. The images are stunning and capture the essence of the day perfectly, showcasing both the big moments and the small, intimate details that might otherwise have been overlooked. Throughout the event, Shelly was punctual, professional, and unobtrusive, making everyone feel at ease while also getting the perfect shots. I never felt rushed, and they took the time to work with me on specific poses and compositions. The turnaround time for receiving the photos was faster than I expected, and I was thrilled with the final gallery. The photos themselves were beautifully edited—vibrant, crisp, and full of life. I was impressed by the high-quality prints and digital files I received, and the final album was elegantly designed and beautifully presented. I’ve already shared my photos with friends and family, and they’ve all been equally impressed. I highly recommend Shelly and Max for anyone looking for a skilled, professional photographer who delivers both high-quality images and exceptional service. Whether you’re planning a special event or just want a memorable portrait session, they’ll exceed your...