After a major career switch over 10 years ago, local lensman David Pu'u has established himself as a leading commercial photographer and filmmaker, with work regularly appearing in publications worldwide. He acquired the 2003 Canon Image of the Year award for an innovative cover photo published in Surfer Magazine's annual collector's issue of local surfer Dan Malloy. In addition, David has provided imagery for over 20 image-based books and regularly feeds content to over 40 international publications. He has twice landed covers in the prestigious publication Sports Illustrated.

He is well versed in all phases of photography and lighting, and has produced an array of magazine covers, spreads and features, shooting from the water, jet skis, helicopters, airplanes, and moving vehicles, preferring a moving set to more staid indoor studio work. He is a water specialist however, capable of spending any amount of hours he chooses in the water. It is his preferred medium.

His work has won several prestigious art shows, and has been selected to hang and screen in museum venues such as the Texas Institute of Art, the American History Museum in NY, Museum Nacional in Brazil and the Maritime History Museum of Santa Barbara.